Xatefrogg wrote:
I'm doing LOTOJA on Sep. 6th and it will be my first time. Training has been great and I feel prepared with a couple of centuries in the past few months, one 140 miler and a couple 5 hr. trainer rides. I'm shooting for a 10:30 ride.
What are some newbie tips?
Has anyone on here rode it and not completed it?
Were the support stops good enough to get you through or should you pack your own food? Is there an actual "Lunch" stop where they provide sandwiches or something substantial? I don't have a support vehicle so that's why I ask.
Is there a way to drop clothing on the way and get it back at the end?
Are 2 water bottles good enough or should I carry 1 extra?
Most importantly how do I work it into every conversation to let people know that I did LOTOJA? I will be wearing the shirt, hat, socks and bibs everywhere I go so that should help.
this year will be my 5th time racing it. i live a few miles from the finish. can't recall a lll the times but the last one was ~9:15.
prior to the first time, the longest ride i'd done was just over 100 miles, but it was solo and had ~5000 of climbing. some people do long rides in groups and never pull, so it is hard to say if a certain length ride is enough. if you have the mental toughness to do 5h on the trainer (i don't!) then you'll be fine. there is a TON of energy on the route--people coming out of houses early in the morning to cheer you on, other racers/riders to draft off of, great support, etc. you'll likely be amazed by the positive lift from that alone.
my advice is to not get off the bike. i put a foot down 3 times to grab new bottles & food....maybe 10-15 seconds each stop. if you stop, you will very likely lose the group you were with. i'd plan to bring the food you want to eat.
logistics are a big deal not having your own support means you either have to carry a ton of stuff or get off the bike. neither is a great option. plan to lose whoever you are riding with....then having to try to find others who are equally matched -- and repeat this 2 or 3 times...however many you get off the bike.
you can drop some bags at registration and have them bring to FZs, i think, but i have no idea how that works.
i'd err on the side of carrying more water.
general rule is to get a neutral bottle on the way up strawberry, support (or stop, for you) in montpelier, get a neutral bottle atop salt river, then support (stop?) in afton and alpine......then maybe a neutral bottle at hoback.
it's pretty easy to ride it, but at some point -- perhaps 7 or 8h in -- many folks get squirmy. rarely are bike fits tested that way.
if you minimize stops as i suggested, 10:30 isn't a huge deal. it's hard to predict conditions, though; certain prevailing winds can make sections of the course really tough, esp if you are alone.
3 tips:
1: if you find a group to work with (assuming you are riding, not racing), do whatever you can to stay with them. if you are approaching a feed and need to get off the bike, try to talk with them to find out their plans. maybe they will wait (more likely if you are a good worker)?
2: it's good to work, but many people underestimate the day and are heroes in the first 30-50 miles. plan for the long-term. conserve energy & eat/drink early, even if you feel great. things might change 150 miles in.
3: if you do find yourself alone, battling a section of the course, takes look behind you. sometimes it is better to coast a bit and get caught by another group than to battle alone for a while, wasting energy, only to get caught by the same group just a bit further down the road.
enjoy! it's a super-cool experience. try to soak it in and smile even when it gets hard.
(one more tip: it's often a bit colder 10-15'
after the start. be aware that the "comfortably cold" at the start may be uncomfortable when the temp drops 5-10F (as it typical) a few miles down the road.)
hope this helps.