mbeaumont
victorian village
Login to Send PM
OK, so who's riding Pelotonia this year? This will be my first time. I'm doing the full 180-mile Columbus to Athens and back (over two days).
I've been feeling pretty good about it until I started reading about some of the hills. *gulp*
Anybody ride the full route last year that can let us know what we're in for? I can do a 65-75 mile ride on relatively flat roads without much trouble, but those hills scare me.
RoJoNo
UA
Login to Send PM
Here is last year's route. I didn't ride Pelotonia, but have been on the roads up to Logan. The route is fairly flat until mile 48, where there is a switchbacked climb over Christmas Rock. The next climb is over Blue Valley Road, which has some great vistas. East of Logan looks like the most challenging part, as this segment's elevation profile shows. Those hills might require some walking. Once you're over that, it's flat from Nelsonville to Athens.
If you need practice climbing hills in town, there is Lane Rd from the Scioto river eastward, or the climb over Worthington Hills from Hills Market. The Ridge Runner Ramble tomorrow has many hills, especially if you start in Alexandria. The organized ride on Sunday at 8am from Cyclist Connection usually features Slough and Pickerington hills.
How is your bike setup? What is your crank and cassette?
groundrules
Login to Send PM
there is at least one climb that makes worthington hills seem like worthington gentle slopes. I saw a lot of good riders walkin' that sumbitch. but a lot of them had tri-bikes with narrow-range cassettes. You got yourself a triple, and you'll be able to spin that sucker out no problem.
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
Login to Send PM
mbeaumont wrote >>
I'm planning on making full use of my granny gear. :D
Go MB, GO!!!!
Er...wait...guess that's not what you meant.
Sidenote though...'parently that lady there is 83 years old and rode 150 miles in 2 days last year to raise $$ for MS. She's been doing it for 25 years. Whodda thunk.
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
Login to Send PM
cbus11 wrote >>
I was thinking about doing it, but was told you have to guarantee $1000 in sponsorships to ride, with that backed up with a credit card number. I wish they had lower amounts.
I think I saw they were working with OSU to provide lower amounts to student riders. Unfortunately it doesn't apply to all.
RoJoNo
UA
Login to Send PM
osulew wrote >>
Sidenote though...'parently that lady there is 83 years old and rode 150 miles in 2 days last year to raise $$ for MS. She's been doing it for 25 years. Whodda thunk.
There is a respected elder cyclist that goes by 'Sue from Oregon' that takes on the Columbus Fall Challenge annually, using her granny gear to climb every hill. Sadly, she stands out for her well-worn cycling shorts long past their use-by date. ::shudder::
MB, like gr says, you should be fine with the hills with that setup. It's not like CFC with a hill every mile. Your only concern should be the time in the saddle. It sounds like you keep the pace high, so it shouldn't be a problem.
RoJoNo
UA
Login to Send PM
cbus11 wrote >>
I was thinking about doing it, but was told you have to guarantee $1000 in sponsorships to ride, with that backed up with a credit card number. I wish they had lower amounts.
Last year, if you knew someone that raised far in excess of their obligation, he/she could apply the extra amount to your obligation. I came that close to riding with a friend that put the offer out to my cycling mailing list. Not sure if they continue the practice this year.
mbeaumont
victorian village
Login to Send PM
If you're doing the longer routes you have to raise $2,000. Whatever you don't raise gets charged to your credit card, so you're responsible for it either way. That turns a lot of people off I know, and it kept me from participating last year.
This year though, they opened up the registration a lot earlier, and I just went into it thinking of it as a challenge. I met my fundraising goal a few weeks ago, but it wasn't easy. I'm lucky to have a lot of great friends and family that helped, and my employer helped a lot as well.
That all being said, it's enough money that it may make me reconsider doing Pelotonia every single year, as it's a lot to ask for on a consistent basis from people.
But Pelotonia is raising a ton of money with those challenging dollar goals. They raised $4 million last year, and are on pace to nearly double that this year. That is mighty impressive for a two-year old ride.
groundrules
Login to Send PM
mbeaumont wrote >>
That all being said, it's enough money that it may make me reconsider doing Pelotonia every single year, as it's a lot to ask for on a consistent basis from people.
This was my exact reasoning, and why I'll be sitting at home this weekend. I felt like I could only go back to the well so many times.
The high dollar figure definitely changes the demographics of the ride too. These ain't the same haggered old salts you see on TOSRV.
Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
Login to Send PM
see y'all on the ride. somewhere. I'll be volunteering, although have not received my volunteer assignment yet. You folks who can actually ride this whole thing are awesome!
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM
Pelotonia rider struck, killed
Saturday, August 21, 2010
BY HOLLY ZACHARIAH
The Columbus Dispatch
A woman riding in the Pelotonia Tour for cancer research was killed this afternoon when her bike was struck by a pickup truck on Rt. 374 at Rt. 180 in Hocking County, the State Highway Patrol said.
Michelle Kazlausky, 57, of Reynoldsburg was killed in the crash, said Patrol Sgt. Max Norris.
READ MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/08/21/Pelotoniadeath.html?sid=101
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM
Yes, quite tragic to hear. :(
On second thought, I don't want to derail this thread entirely, so it's being spun off:
http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/truck-misses-signal-kills-pelotonia-cyclist
Feel free to carry on with discussing the rest of Pelotonia here instead.
You must log in to post.
Launched in August 2010, TheMetropreneur.com is a local online resource devoted to small business development and entrepreneurship. Its aim is to tell the stories of Central Ohio's business community, foster regional economic development and assist entrepreneurs with its resource-heavy focus. Click here to visit TheMetropreneur.com.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
