STP: My First (Double) Century
I just logged my first century last weekend with some pals from Team PBDH (our loosely organized weekend ride group from work) and I have to say it was pretty fantastic. For those not aware, the STP is a double century ride from Seattle to Portland and people typically do it over the course of a weekend by spending the night somewhere near the 100 mile mark. We decided to press on a bit farther and planned our stay in Castle Rock, so my first century actually topped out at healthy 136 miles. I’m not gonna lie, it was challenging. The 90 degree heat didn’t help much either. But we kept a pretty tight paceline for most of the way and averaged around 19-21 mph when we could, which landed us in Castle Rock around late afternoon. The last 10-15 miles was fairly brutal. Our saving grace was to convince a coworker to drive a truck full of hot dogs and ice-cold beer down early and set up camp. Man, that beer was good.
I never really doubted my ability to do 100+ in a single day but I was slightly unsure what the next morning would feel like after sleeping a only few hours on a lumpy bedroll. But, getting back on the saddle Sunday morning actually felt pretty good and the mental effects of knowing you only had to do 70 miles instead of 100 was huge. I got off to a slowish start but managed to kick it into gear eventually and was back spinning at 18-20mph most of the way back. This got us into Portland right around noon. We spent the next few hours lounging in the beer garden and soaking up the sun. It felt great.
The STP is pretty cool. It’s not too hard but it isn’t easy either. It’s a spectacle. There’s people on bikes wherever you turn. Everyone is having a darn good time of it. It’s one of those things that you just have to do at least once. (Maybe twice, maybe more.) There’s certainly better rides just outside of Seattle that offer more variety and better views, but there’s something kind of neat about taking over an entire stretch of road from one end of the state to the other that seems kind of cool. It’s almost like Critical Mass for the lycra set.
And more than anything, doing 136 in a single day makes my regular weekend rides seem kind of wimpy now, so I’m going to have to step it up. (I’m used to 50 - 60.) This is good. Always getting better is good. Check out STP photos over in the Gallery.
Comments
Jul 16
Dave Cole
People keep asking “What’s it like to ride the STP?” I find myself answering:
“It’s hard, but fun, but easy, but mostly fun - also, it’s hard as hell… but mostly pretty easy.”
I don’t know what that means either. Take it for what it’s worth. It probably depends on your attitude more than anything - and how hard you attack it. Mostly though it’s fun.
Jul 16
Dave Cole
We finished this year’s STP quite a lot faster than we did last year. Here are some tips for increased speed and fun, gained by experience:
- Take plenty of breaks, but keep them short. Eat, drink, stretch, pee, get back on the bike.
- Drink, drink, drink.
- Eat, eat, eat.
- Don’t haul too much food, there’s plenty along the way.
- Shammy butter will save your ass.
- Pump those tires up nice and tight!
- Draft as much as possible. Ride with some friends.
- Muscle up those hills, they will go quicker. Spinning only prolongs the pain.
- Don’t stop at 100 miles on day 1. Go 120 or more. Day 2 will be so much happier.
- Start and end early, have plenty of time to relax, eat and drink after your ride (both days).
- Bring a chain repair tool on every ride. I’ve saved myself or someone else three times now.
Jul 16
Geoffrey
You are probably right about the hills. I was way too cautious with them on STP for fear of blowing out my legs too early. Now that I look back I could have been a bit more aggressive. Fear of the unknown I guess. And yes, stuffing your pockets with food on a supported ride is totally unnecessary. I carried food all the way to Portland that I never touched. New Rule: Being overly prepared makes for saggy pockets.
Jul 18
Kevin
Nice going Geoff. I was busy at (Crash) Derby Days last weekend.
Honestly I think you have the right mind set with regard to food. Supported rides are great but the food is horrible. It can do a number on you if you’re not care full. I prefer to keep the food I’ll need and only supplement it with fresh fruit or something salty depending on what my body needs.
In the end it’s, better to pull out a stash of food then find yourself bonking in the middle of nowhere.
Jul 18
Geoffrey
Yah, I just need to carry less. (You should have seen my pockets! I was mocked by the team.)
I took some photos of the Thursday Crits last night, didn’t see you out there. You still racing?
Jul 18
Sarah Sibley
SahWeet. Geoff, you’re probably so hot now with your new cyclist bod that I wouldn’t even recognize you.
Jul 18
Geoffrey
Let’s not get carried away Sarah. Where were you this year?
Jul 18
Kevin
@ Geoff still racing, I’m just on a recovery week and was swapping parts to my rain bike. You did get some good shots of my plaid teammates.
Jul 18
Geoffrey
Yeah, I’ve never ben much of a sports photographer so I’m still figuring it out. I’ll be back next Thursday for more. Let me know if you are racing anywhere and maybe I can get some shots. I need the practice. (You and your team can have copies too.)
Jul 25
Karl Bischoff
It was a great ride. This years team was well matched, tho I’d love to have more practice rides beforehand. Maybe next year? Maybe we can talk Sarah into trying again next year to join us. Also, would love to do the one day version, but not sure I’m willing to forego the midway party.