Battle of the Brands - Bike Sebring 2020

Brad R

Well-Known Member
I got permission today. Now for logistics. I will ride my T50 in the century. Hope to be able to finish in the time limit.
 

Maria Parker

Administrator
I got permission today. Now for logistics. I will ride my T50 in the century. Hope to be able to finish in the time limit.
Glad to hear it! We have a total of 16 riders signed up with 8 on Cruzbikes. I hope it's not this close on race day, however Florida is Bacchetta land, so it's likely they'll have the advantage of geography. I'm looking out at my first true New England snow storm, but I already put in a 90 minute ride on my trainer. It helps to have a goal.
 
Glad to hear it! We have a total of 16 riders signed up with 8 on Cruzbikes. I hope it's not this close on race day, however Florida is Bacchetta land, so it's likely they'll have the advantage of geography. I'm looking out at my first true New England snow storm, but I already put in a 90 minute ride on my trainer. It helps to have a goal.

@Maria Parker , come join us on the weekly TTT. There is a ride at ~7:35PM ET and you would fit in perfectly with Connie on the Dire Wolves. There are several ladies on that team. Hell, you ladies might be able to break into your own team and show the boys how to race!

You will need some good riding time over the cold, white winter. While long rides are great, a 1 hour race is not only fun, but companionship talking with your team over Discord.

Everyone else, if you have a trainer, give some thought to joining the Team Time Trials on Thursday as well. There are about 5 different race times spaced out for just about every timezone to have a good ride time.
 

Brad R

Well-Known Member
@Brad R you are what the CRAP Racing shirts represent. even if i don't make it there, i will make sure the T shirts do.

Thanks!!

My most common ride is a 10 mile out and back for a total of 20 miles. It is slightly downhill and usually downwind on the way out. So I get about 30 ft/mile of elevation gain. On a good day, I average about 15 mph round trip.

So, I hope to be able to complete 100 miles in about 8 hours of riding time.

To officially finish the century, do we have 12 hours to complete it? If so, I can rest for 30 to 45 minutes after each 20 mile segment.
 

ed72

Zen MBB Master
30 ft/mile of elevation gain. On a good day, I average about 15 mph round trip

600 feet of climbing is equivalent to 3-6 miles, so, your effective average speed in a bit more flat Florida will probably be around 17 mph. GL on the Century
 

Brad R

Well-Known Member
600 feet of climbing is equivalent to 3-6 miles, so, your effective average speed in a bit more flat Florida will probably be around 17 mph. GL on the Century

That seems like a good estimate for me. I normally average around 16-18 on the way out and 12-14 on the way back. There is one hill that is about 2 miles from home where I hit 30 to 35 on the way out and have to work hard to stay above 6 on the way back.
 

3bs

whereabouts unknown
i am officially hosed out of coming now. work has reared its ugly head of primacy.

so now i just need a count for CRAP Racing Team t shirts. is it okay if i just buy 10 each in large and extra large and have someone bring them in my absence?
 

Brad R

Well-Known Member
I am planning to fly to either Orlando or Fort Meyers and drive to Sebring.

I think I want to ship my bike via Shipbikes to someplace close to either the airport or the route to Sebring,

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good location that will accept and hold the bike for a few days and be open when I get there to pick it up on Thursday afternoon or evening?

Is there a better plan that someone can suggest?

Thanks,

Brad
 

ed72

Zen MBB Master
I usually ship my bike to the hotel where I am staying, unless it is a dive. Some people ship to a bike shop
 

Jeffrey Ritter

Well-Known Member
With Christmas now complete, thinking about racing strategy. First, Maria (or someone who knows), what is the count on our riders and in which races? Second, while I realize the 100 mile race is appealing to some, in part because they are not interested in racing the full 12 hours, if we are truly going to band together as a team, there would be another option: everyone registers for the 12 hour, those who want to race for 100 can do so and embarrass everyone else in that race by finishing ahead of them, then ride as drafts for those racing the full 12 by alternating 11 mile laps. E.g., finish the 100, take a breather, then ride out as draft as others come through, finish 11 and take another breather, etc. I certainly know, planning to race 12, a draft will always be welcomed.

More miles accumulate, everyone rides to their best level, etc. Thoughts?
 

paco1961

Zen MBB Master
I have not signed up yet but will do so in the next few days. Probably have to just do the 100 and head back to Sarasota area by mid afternoon so will miss the end of the 12 and ensuing festivities. Hoping to find a few folks looking for about a 20mph average. Will be a challenge to hold that pace given my conditioning mid winter but something to shoot for. If that’s a pace that will work as draft for anyone on the 12 or 24 that’s fine w me. The advantage for any V riders is that I’ll be on an S40. Shoulder feel like a semi truck to the V
 

Brad R

Well-Known Member
With Christmas now complete, thinking about racing strategy. First, Maria (or someone who knows), what is the count on our riders and in which races? Second, while I realize the 100 mile race is appealing to some, in part because they are not interested in racing the full 12 hours, if we are truly going to band together as a team, there would be another option: everyone registers for the 12 hour, those who want to race for 100 can do so and embarrass everyone else in that race by finishing ahead of them, then ride as drafts for those racing the full 12 by alternating 11 mile laps. E.g., finish the 100, take a breather, then ride out as draft as others come through, finish 11 and take another breather, etc. I certainly know, planning to race 12, a draft will always be welcomed.

More miles accumulate, everyone rides to their best level, etc. Thoughts?
That sounds interesting. How fast will you be riding at the end? I don’t know if I could ride fast enough to offer any help.

I just checked the bike Sebring page at it now shows the ending time for the century as 3:00.

lf I can finish the century by 3:00, I could probably put in a few more miles by 6:30. I’ll check on whether I can change my registration from the century to the 12 hour.

Even if I am too slow to provide a draft for the faster riders, I can add some miles for the team.
 

woodguy

Well-Known Member
I’m probably like Brad R. Never been a racer, so signed up for the 100. If I can switch to the 12 hour, I’m sure I can do more miles & that is what the team challenge is all about. I like Jeffrey’s idea, but may not be able to keep up with true racers even with help from a draft. I’m part of the CRAP team (Casual Riders Actually Participating). We might have to set up multiple groups so we don’t hold faster riders back & still help CRAP members get through. Would be nice to know how big a group Cruzbike is going to be.
 

Brad R

Well-Known Member
I have been riding Continental Contact Speed (50-559) tires to help deal with Michigan’s rough roads.

Are the roads for this ride smooth enough so that I should invest in a faster tire?

Would a Continental Grand Prix in 28-559 be a worthwhile upgrade?
 
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