Julian Death March 4-12-08

[singleminded]

Any of the STR peeps doing the Julian Death March? Just thought i'd ask.....

Come keep me company

[princess of pain]

Roger (AKA Roger Rabbit, a fellow single speeder) and I are doing it... I am out to survive, Roger is hoping to do all 3 loops with a blazing time...

[singleminded]

I am doing it single also.....look for the yellow Siren 55.

Last year Calvin and myself were the only singles to finish all 3 loops.

See you there.....

[allison]

Hell no!

[thebush]

MrTawney was going to do this and he pre rode some of the course and it sounds like a lot of road riding.

[princess of pain]

Eric,
With your experience , what gear ratio would you recommend? Normally ride a 32 x17 would you suggest 32 x 18 for the climbs esp Banner Grade?

[richwolf]

It is 40 percent paved and 60 percent dirt. Great scenery and a super challenging ride. A break from the standard loop endurance ride since you are always seeing new scenery.

The steepest sections are in the Santa Ysabel open space preserve which is on the third loop. The Banner toll road which is at the end of the second loop is 3 miles with 1300 feet of climb so it isn't the worst section as far as steep goes.
Gearing on a SS due to the nature of the course will be a compromise. Since you may be walking parts of the preserve it might be best to run normal gearing.

[princess of pain]

I have been asked to retract the statement "Roger hopes to set a blazing time"... He claims no such desire as he has not been able to train. He too is hoping to finnish without losing face!

[singleminded]

Myself recommending a gear ratio is not the best for most since I am not big in the leg strength catagory so I tend to gear down.......just semi good endurance.

What set up you running? (bike/wheel size/etc)

I would though suggest gearing down from your regular ratio a tooth or so. I remember long unforgiving climbing stints....and engineer road was relentless.

The first downhill is mostly coasting....and 76 mi is a long time. I remember barely being able to rotate the cranks on the 3rd loop.....

So if you run a 17 everyday I would go 18. 18 is my everyday gear so I will go down from there. Now this applies to a 26 in wheel....29 is a bit different.

Why not ask RR blazing saddles .....seems he might have more experience than I. Last year it took me 9:26 and Calvin did it in 7:31.

See you there...don't be a stranger.

[Roger Rabbit]

Eric and Rich,
This is Princess' other half, Roger.
Thanks for the info. I had decided to go with the gearie but am now shamed into singling it on my SASS.
It's a 26" wheel with front suspension. I Started with a 32/18 and a while back got quite strong and switched to 32/16. I liked it but then cut back on riding due to schedule. I could "manage" that ratio but I wasn't riding at the same level and soon it killed the joy. I should add that we like hilly rides like Daley Ranch that have some steep but fairly short climbs and I could clear those. 32/17 has been a good compromise but I fear the duration of this event may be good reason to dig out the 18 cog again.
There are places where SS is faster than gears but I am faster around a course with gears mainly because of the flats and downhills. So my decision is between trying for a decent time or the masochistic satisfaction of completing it with one gear.

[richwolf]

"So my decision is between trying for a decent time or the masochistic satisfaction of completing it with one gear"

Well even if you run gears it is still a masochistic accomplishment to finish all 3 loops!

[Roger Rabbit]

Good point, Rich. I'll shut up now.

[singleminded]

It's gonna kill me.....but i don't own a geared mtn bike anymore

If you pass a yellow Siren...say hi before you bump me

[singleminded]

I am worked....Now if I could have only found that fan switch