Tulsa Tough Bicycle Festival This Weekend

[Ed W]

Are you working either of the century routes this year?

Nope.  It's just as well.  I can't guarantee that my leg won't go wobbly on a given day.  For that matter, they didn't ask and I didn't volunteer.

[Conan71]

Well darn, I was hoping to toss a water bottle at you as I went past

This is my first attempt at back to back 100 milers.  Not worried about finishing either day, but don't think I can maintain a 20 MPH average both days.  I'm about 1 to 2 MPH short right now, unless I can get in with a smart group that doesn't burn everything up the first 50 miles.  There's about 5000 feet of climbing Saturday and I'm more focused on peaking in time for the Leadville Trail 100 in August.  So, probably no Deuce jersey this year, maybe next unless I decide to drop endurance events next year and focus on crits.

[Ed W]

The front group always seems fast and disciplined.  I think that in Ochelata last year, they came by at well over 25.  I warned the kids handing up water bottles about the dangers of dropping one in the pack. 

I managed to average above 20mph in two local TTs many years ago.  One was the old Port Road 10 mile course, and the other was the Racin' on the River 10K.  I could do better than that these days, but you'd have to drop me out of an airplane.

[Conan71]

I did sub 5 hour hundred milers last year at Altus and Hotter 'N' Hell in Wichita Falls last year.  Big difference in those: Altus is flat for literally about 95 out of the 100 miles, but that also means pedaling the whole time.  I was the second finisher there.  HHH is not terribly difficult to pull off a sub 5 as it's relatively flat and with 13,000 plus cyclists you can hit a rest stop and still find a paceline when you get back on the road.  I was averaging just over 23 at Hell's gate last year (Mile 58) and made it non-stop to the mile 83 rest stop.  I was getting a hip issue and wouldn't have finished if I didn't get off the bike for a few minutes.  Still managed to finish the HHH in 4:42.

I've trained this spring with a couple of the guys who won Deuce jerseys last year and they keep popping me about 2 hours into a ride.  I climb pretty well, I simply cannot seem to maintain 24-25 MPH on flat roads for sustained periods which is about what it takes to hang with them.  I've been using a power meter to train with this year and it's been a really good learning tool.

[Teatownclown]

I did sub 5 hour hundred milers last year at Altus and Hotter 'N' Hell in Wichita Falls last year.  Big difference in those: Altus is flat for literally about 95 out of the 100 miles, but that also means pedaling the whole time.  I was the second finisher there.  HHH is not terribly difficult to pull off a sub 5 as it's relatively flat and with 13,000 plus cyclists you can hit a rest stop and still find a paceline when you get back on the road.  I was averaging just over 23 at Hell's gate last year (Mile 58) and made it non-stop to the mile 83 rest stop.  I was getting a hip issue and wouldn't have finished if I didn't get off the bike for a few minutes.  Still managed to finish the HHH in 4:42.

I've trained this spring with a couple of the guys who won Deuce jerseys last year and they keep popping me about 2 hours into a ride.  I climb pretty well, I simply cannot seem to maintain 24-25 MPH on flat roads for sustained periods which is about what it takes to hang with them.  I've been using a power meter to train with this year and it's been a really good learning tool.

Aging out is hell!

[Conan71]

Aging out is hell!

What's worse is a couple of those guys I'm referring to are older than I am....

[DolfanBob]

Does Flickinger enter these types of events ? I see him riding around out here in B.A. every now and then.
He talks about it a lot on the news and I was wondering if he is very good at it.

[Conan71]

I would imagine he's riding this weekend.  I've never ridden with him so I can't vouch for how good a rider he is.  Jason Shackleford is another rider.  I do believe he's more into triathlons.

[carltonplace]

Several of us will be meeting up in the Blue Dome on Friday night if anyone wants to do an impromptu TNF get together or happy hour during/before the races.  Great opportunity to get your hair blown back.

See you there, either at Fassler or Arnies

[rdj]

I would imagine he's riding this weekend.  I've never ridden with him so I can't vouch for how good a rider he is.  Jason Shackleford is another rider.  I do believe he's more into triathlons.

Former city councilor Eric Gomez has ridden in the past.  I know neighborhood haters like him aren't supposed to do cool things like that but he does.   

[tulsacyclist]

I'll be racing Saturday and Sunday. First year racing so I'll be racing the category 5 (under 35) group. Should be fun. I like racing.

[Conan71]

Former city councilor Eric Gomez has ridden in the past.  I know neighborhood haters like him aren't supposed to do cool things like that but he does.   

He still rides.  I see and talk to him just about every Weds. Night on the big ride.

[rdj]

He still rides.  I see and talk to him just about every Weds. Night on the big ride.

I like Eric and have always enjoyed our conversations.

Tulsa Tough is one of my favorite weekends in Tulsa.  We have an adult night in the Blue Dome and a family picnic with the kids on Sunday at the river.  This year our Friday sitter fell through so not sure if we are making it to the Blue Dome.  I guess I could go solo, but that never seems to be the smartest choice.

[DolfanBob]

Wow rdj. All this time I thought I was the only one who's owner bought the short leash. Nice to know....lol

[Conan71]

I'll be racing Saturday and Sunday. First year racing so I'll be racing the category 5 (under 35) group. Should be fun. I like racing.

As you should.  FYI, he's too modest to mention it, but tulsacyclist swept a pair of races in Kansas last weekend.  Should be a great contender for a win or two at TT.