STP 2008 Results
Last weekend I rode my fourth STP, a 200 mile bike ride from Seattle to Portland. This year I was accompaniedied by some very good friends, including my wife Megan. We awoke at 3:45AM and successfully departed Seattle at exactly 4:45 with 8 of our 11 riders. Two of them caught up with us at Seward Park where we met Gary and began the trip south. Our pace was very easy, civilized in fact, and we stayed somewhat together for the next 5 miles but then broke into groups by speed, which is typical. At the Kent REI stop we all grouped back together then headed out for the 75 mile sprint to Centralia. It was crazy. Steve, Richy, Sven, Rene, Gary and myself were at the head of a squirrelly line of riders for most of it. When we got to highway 507 they put us on a multi-use trail that’s about 7 feet wide and has huge yellow metal posts at every intersection. Needless to say we were terrified but at least happy we were in front. Speed were 20-25mph the entire way. They should definitely get us off that path, someone is going to get killed. Regardless, it was totally fun in the way that dumb people like to do scary things. At one point a bee flew into my bike helmet and start buzzing around trying to get out. Since I was pulling I could only do one thing - take off my helmet while riding. I’ve never done that. It’s pretty easy but wow did it scare the guy behind me.
The last 20 miles into Centralia were incredible. Our fast group was still at the head of a line but now we were helping two other riders and they were FAST. Too fast actually, pulling at 24-25mph. Stupidly I followed and did my part at 21-23 when it was my turn. Feeling burned in Centralia I ate two sandwiches, pounded water and left, all in 15-20 minutes. Thankfully my legs didn’t bonk. I was all alone for about 5 miles until Ritchy caught me. We decided to just enjoy the rest of the ride, to take it at a leisurely pace and see what happened. Somehow we got into an incredible zone and were left all alone for that last 100 miles, stopping for only 25 minutes to get water. My ride was top-notch up until mile 160 where, after pulling up Highway 30 for 8 miles at 19.5mph in the direct sun without a break I heat bonked. It took all Ritchy’s encouragement and a lot of ice water to keep me moving to Portland. In all honestly, I thought I would pass out on the seat and crash, but somehow I made it, mostly thanks to Ritchy pulling me so much.
It was my hardest STP ever, mentally, and best physically. It was also my best overall time, finishing at 4:55PM for a totaly of 12:10. A short while later Steve and Mike came in followed later by Megan, Sven and Gary. A little bit later Kelly and Rene showed up. A great team, great efforts and great times. Megan just rocked it, never bonking and holding a rock steady pace the whole way. She’s incredible, so solid. I’m so proud of her (even though she did say a 200 mile bike ride is easier than a marathon).
Statistics
2008 - 12:10 Total, 10:48 Bike, 18.6MPH
2007 - 12:30 Total, 10:30 Bike, 19.6MPH
Not bad, pretty steady in fact. The one thing I learned this year is that less breaks is actually easier on you as your legs don’t cool down and you stay fresher. Believer it or not, it was true.