UMCA Across Washington N to S - 2015

[Lief]

This Saturday, May 16th, I'll be making an attempt (setting the mark actually) for the UMCA record for recumbents in the North>South direction across the State of Washington.
https://www.ultracycling.com/sections/records/stats/state/#wa

The course I've plotted (and expect to take) is here:
http://goo.gl/3l3Ttm

Estimated start time 4:30AM.

I've not said much about this publicly because we tend to only report on what HAS happened.
Past tense is invariably an easier share.

But I also see that there is value in sharing the apprehension and the butterflies, the prep, and the nerves beforehand and effectively collaborating with this community of like-minded individuals to push me over any gaps in my confidence. Even "RahRah".

Almost everything that can be prepped is prepped so I have time to consider setting up a phone-based broadcast to a website if anyone is interested in checking in.

I'm in the Apple Ecosystem so my wife can just look at my "find my iPhone" bubble but there are other options like Glympse.
Anyone have any good ideas for "location broadcast"?

 

[Charles.Plager]

Road id also does some sort of broadcasting, but I doing know how public toy can make it.

Good luck!!!

 

[LarryOz]

Way to go Lief - I can't wait to here your ride report!
Awesome!
I tried some "tracking" thing on Garmin while in Sebring - but it did not work.
I would love to follow you and encourage you.
Let us know if you find out some "tracking" system.
What is your "estimated" goal time. I see the distance is about 255 miles.

 

[Rick Youngblood]

G - Buddy! I will be rooting you on!

 

[jond]

be safe be fast be a cruzbiker. best wishes.

 

[LarryOz]

Lief - One question: why so early of a departure? 4:30am?
You are definitely strong enough to be able to complete the entire trip in daylight, so just curious why you are leaving in the dark?
Just hedging your bets a little maybe? (I guess I would start in the dark than leave in the dark)

 

[battleaxe0]

I'm in the Apple Ecosystem so my wife can just look at my "find my iPhone" bubble but there are other options like Glympse.
Anyone have any good ideas for "location broadcast"?

Many of the cycling tracker apps can show your locations or status to followers. Runkeeper (and Strava I think), for example, will setup a webpage for your ride that will allow others to see your progress on a map. Cyclemeter can be setup to send periodic emails, tweets, and/or facebook updates about your status - time, distance, etc.

 

[Abbott Smith]

This Saturday, May 16th, I'll be making an attempt (setting the mark actually) for the UMCA record for recumbents in the North>South direction across the State of Washington.
https://www.ultracycling.com/sections/records/stats/state/#wa

The course I've plotted (and expect to take) is here:
http://goo.gl/3l3Ttm

Estimated start time 4:30AM.

I've not said much about this publicly because we tend to only report on what HAS happened.
Past tense is invariably an easier share.

But I also see that there is value in sharing the apprehension and the butterflies, the prep, and the nerves beforehand and effectively collaborating with this community of like-minded individuals to push me over any gaps in my confidence. Even "RahRah".

Almost everything that can be prepped is prepped so I have time to consider setting up a phone-based broadcast to a website if anyone is interested in checking in.

I'm in the Apple Ecosystem so my wife can just look at my "find my iPhone" bubble but there are other options like Glympse.
Anyone have any good ideas for "location broadcast"?

Woot! Woot! Go Lief Go!

 

[Lief]

Thanks team!

Larry,
Leaving at 4:30 is only about 30 min of darkness up this far north. Sunrise around 5:40 and out in that flatland it'll be usable light at ~5:00-5:15.
If I have a great day I'll miss the late day rush in Pasco.
But even if we hit that - I'll be done with the climb before the potentially hot part of the day hits.

That's the rationale anyway.

 

[snilard]

Good luck, Lief.

We are riding 400 km brevet with my friends this weekend. We are starting at 8 pm on Friday.
Route: http://www.bikemap.net/en/route/3006623-do-beskyd-a-zpet/
My time was 26:16 last year. We were very undisciplined with friend so we were riding only 76% of that time. Especially on way to return point we spend a lot of time talking on pauses. We were nearly 2 hours late on return point so without sleep.
This is my last year ride: https://www.strava.com/activities/144835186
For this year I am planning to ride at least 90 % of time on way to return point and take 2 hours pause there with some sleep. I think that I am stronger from last year so I hope for better time or at least more pleasant ride. I am mainly riding to be in time limit not for best time so some sleep will make it more pleasant

 

[Charles.Plager]

But even if we hit that - I'll be done with the climb before the potentially hot part of the day hits.

That's very solid logic. Climbing already sucks it out of you. Doing it in the heat just multiplies the effort.

 

[snilard]

I'm in the Apple Ecosystem so my wife can just look at my "find my iPhone" bubble but there are other options like Glympse.
Anyone have any good ideas for "location broadcast"?

I was using Cyclemeter on iPhone for this purpose, I also used it for recording of my ride and for navigation. But iPhone with GPS recording survive only 6 hours at max. I have bought GPS watches for recording and navigation so I was looking for some app that will send my position in some reasonable intervals and will not drain battery in few hours. I have found FollowMee. It works very well.

 

[Lucia]

Go Lief go! We're rooting for you!

 

[Lucia]

Anyone have any good ideas for "location broadcast"?

When Dad/Jim raced the sprint at the Texas Time Trials this year we used Endomondo to follow him around the lap. It was really cool (recommended by Chris Clark, Cruzbiker who came to root Mom and Dad on in Texas). I believe users have to "follow" you to see, but you can also send encouragement which is cool!

 

[Abbott Smith]

All right Cruzbike NW crew. Anyone up for a road trip on Saturday? Here's what I'm thinking. Biggest climb in Lief's attempt is Highway 17 just north of Hwy 2. He thinks he'll be there between 10:30-12. How cool would it be if a group of us was there to cheer him to the summit?

 

[battleaxe0]

I was using Cyclemeter on iPhone for this purpose, I also used it for recording of my ride and for navigation. But iPhone with GPS recording survive only 6 hours at max. I have bought GPS watches for recording and navigation so I was looking for some app that will send my position in some reasonable intervals and will not drain battery in few hours. I have found FollowMee. It works very well.

Keep the phone screen off as much as possible.
Something like this will recharge your iphone 4-5 times on a charge:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BB5GR0A

 

[snilard]

Keep the phone screen off as much as possible.
Something like this will recharge your iphone 4-5 times on a charge:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BB5GR0A

Yes, battery pack is solution. And pretty heavy solution. I like small form factor of Suunto Ambit3 watches more.
If you want real time tracking with exact route, you will drain your phone in 6 hours. If you are OK with position every 20 minutes, you will get normal run time from phone.
I have backed this "portable power plant" project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ezelleron/kraftwerk-highly-innovative-portable-power-plant . I am lookong forward to use it as power source for light as same as for charging gadgets on bike.

 

[Lief]

Since I've got a follow vehicle (with an official) I'm thinking of swiping my daughters phone - and just plugging it into the car.
It won't be "my" speed but it will be close.

I'll look at Endomondo and FollowMee

Thanks for the cheering section!

 

[battleaxe0]

All right Cruzbike NW crew. Anyone up for a road trip on Saturday? Here's what I'm thinking. Biggest climb in Lief's attempt is Highway 17 just north of Hwy 2. He thinks he'll be there between 10:30-12. How cool would it be if a group of us was there to cheer him to the summit?

That's a long commute. I'll pre-cheer virtually. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO000000000oooooooooooooooooooooooo.......... Lief!

 

[Lucia]

All right Cruzbike NW crew. Anyone up for a road trip on Saturday? Here's what I'm thinking. Biggest climb in Lief's attempt is Highway 17 just north of Hwy 2. He thinks he'll be there between 10:30-12. How cool would it be if a group of us was there to cheer him to the summit?

If you make it out, take some photos for those of us who are cheering Lief on virtually!