Ultraskate VI - Time to Chill

pavedwave · Ultraskate VI - Time to Chill

Honestly, I can't imagine waiting until June of 2009 to do another 24 hour skate. That's more than half a year away.

And thinking about the reversed climate of our ultraskate brethren down in New Zealand... while we skate icy asphalt trails and sport frosty beards in the Northern winter, the Kiwis are cruising up and down hot sandy beachside boardwalks. If they're up to it, this could be their season to push themselves further with less chance of pulling a hamstring or frosting up their lungs.

Plus, winter is slightly drier than spring here in the Northwest anyway. Then there's that slight chance of flying to California later this winter as well, which would raise the temps at least a few degrees, if the SoCal crew finds a decent ultraskate location.

So -- I'm at least tentatively thinking March 2009

"10 TIPS FOR RUNNING IN THE COLD"
http://www.runnersworld.com/artic...20,s6-238-267-269-12420-0,00.html

"RUN AND RACE WELL IN THE COLD"
http://www.runnersworld.com/artic...20,s6-238-267-269-12331-0,00.html

"IS COLD-WEATHER RUNNING BAD FOR YOU?"
http://www.runnersworld.com/artic...120,s6-238-267-269-7442-0,00.html

http://images.google.com/imgres?i...rding%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX

Now I'd better tell my wife about this... Laughing

LD skater since 1971

The end of March would be the best because the first part of March is when we get rain here in Southern California. In less were in drought conditions like we have been these past few years. But the rain dry's up fast run off fast also in San Diego area.

skatersjourney

Another Ultra! Well! ...

We have the perfect location, and I suppose this gives us enough time to get planning across the Pond, but I do wonder if the W might not hold on us. We get very blustery wet W in March...

...perhaps we can send a prayer to the gods?

Barry

rodgon

i think someone has to do the ultimate sacrifice to the weather gods...

some one has to burn a Mermaid.... yep... those gods are some crazy fellows... but that might just do it.

a subsonic pulse might work too.

pavedwave

Mwaahahahahahhaa!!! So this IS Ultraskate 666? Twisted Evil

We will have to appeal to the SUN Gods for some dry days up here this winter. I'll consult one of our local experts on the appropriate Native American dances, which could also double as a great cross-trainer.

Winnersh

Hmmm. March 20th is the Vernal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. This leaves three months until the Solstice which would be my ideal time for doing this (though poor if you're in NZ). Equinox, perhaps, might be the best time for both hemispheres.

pavedwave

I like where this is going.... Summer Solstice, Vernal Equinox--- Winter Solstice, Autumnal Equinox?? That puts our next one on December 22!!

I guess we'll be doing "Greenlake to Dusk" along with your "Dorney to Dusk" Very Happy

But if we keep doing this, when will I be able to just sit on the couch, watch DVDs and gain 20 pounds again?

calumwp326 · Why

why does everyone want to sacrifice me!

Barry

Ok; who spilled the beans?

Welcome to the lair Calum

Calum; I am only joking, I would never dream of sacrificing anyone Wink

By the way make sure you have a good shower and wear some clean socks for the Dorney to Dusk session this weekend and only drink water from 10pm the night before Twisted Evil

Take care,
Barry Wink

calumwp326 · lol

will do . still need to inform my dad bout it . but he should be fine with it.

im going to just ride some boards and talk.

Barry

Calum

I was joking about the shower and clean socks but I guess you did not get the joke Confused

Nevermind; it will be good to see you again dude.

Take care,
Barry Wink

calumwp326 · ...

im... not ... good ... with jokes...

edp_swakakin

rodgon

thanks man!

always glad to hear from someone that likes my stuff. ^_^

Winnersh

James, I think a gathering is in order. I've never been to WA and I want to meet you and see Green Lake.

Are you up for the Equinox, or the Solstice?

Yours,

Stoked, from Winnersh.

wafflesole

here we go!!!!

pavedwave

A.G.

I am thinking of skating 24hrs in Florida

edp_swakakin

pavedwave

Way cool AG-- keep in touch maybe we can do it nearly the same day! The winter ride would probably also be a better time of year in FL for something like this?

edp_swakakin

March hmmmm - I need to get in better shape for a personal best. I keep skating my ass off for hours on end but then I eat like a horse which doesn't help matters.

I know!!!! Less eating more skating!!! If i'm skating I won't have time to eat. Razz

Problem solved Wink

jk But not about skating more.....

pavedwave

I know exactly what you're saying. Been a lot of calories going one direction here as well Wink

Plus we've been hit with so much snow and rain lately there were two MUDSLIDES clear across the Burke trail in the last three days!!

Right now whether this winter one will happen is all up to Sheldon, Rain, and myself. We have been touching base off and on and will probably make the call and start targeting a date in early March, if we're all still game. For sure it will be really low-key, but all of us are into doing the full Burke-Gilman trail for the first 100 miles, so it will be a lot more interesting ride.

Parson Adams

Yep, need to get in shape in San Antonio, too. The Holidays put 10 lbs. on me. Working it off though. An Ultraskate in March would be great.

HEY ERIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!,

I can go to Houston and do it with you and your crew.

What do you think about that?

Jim

blake

hey jp i am def down for another ultra man if you need planning help i am there for anything i am gunna hit 120+ as a goal

LDPanda

100 miles is way more than anything ive done or prepared for, but id love to at least participate in the event and would be happy to provide any organizational support you might need. Hit me up anytime if you need some local help putting this together.

edp_swakakin

pavedwave

Zounds! That's maybe 5 of us now in the NW, and 2 Texans, and pretty sure the UK crew is game, maybe even NZ? Starting to sound like it's really going to happen?

Just one... more... maple bar is okay Very Happy

blake

i can see that weight is starting to slow you on the cones even. haha <3

pavedwave

but i thought the extra weight meant more momentum? so much for that theory Laughing

blake

haha yeah i will try it with my slalom set up (i just got it from jeremy) with like a wieght belt haha but ldp the extra weight is just extra stuff you have to carry

rodgon

need to start getting ready here in SD too.

perhaps 10-15 miles a day to train

well see. ^_^

pavedwave

rodgon, have you guys found any big bike-trail like courses that might be better during the daylight hours down there?

i'm hoping bike mileage traning counts... its easy to bike "lazy" so i've got to keep up the rpm's, and get out all those occasional dry days on the Real Wheels. i was thinking stencilling on the back of my neon bike jacket "I'd rather be Skateboarding", think that would be too much?

blake

Thanks JP my post did need some fixing up. and next time you go for a ride around greenlake send me a email or a call and i want to be there get some training in.

edp_swakakin

Green Lake (***Misty Eyes****) O How I miss the JP....

rodgon

this time around i think i will join the fellow riders at their locations (last time it was lake murray...) then jump on to the boardwalk and then the silverstrand and then my night runs trail. i believe that the change in locations will make it easier on the mind.

other wise if not i think i have a 4-6-7 mile run i could take ( it might even be close to 10miles) thats one way and then i have to turn back. along the beach then along the bay then along the streets then the bay again. then back. mostly flat with just a couple of small hills.

but well see. or i might just go from the silverstrand up to mission beach up the boardwalk around town, back though the bay, down to the solverstrand again and then back up.

more planning needs to be done by me to get an established route. but at least i have some very good ideas of what to do . better than the last times at least. ^_^

pavedwave

Yeah Eric that's that dazed crazy morning sleep-dep grin, that was an unforgettable experience riding through the night with you man!!!

Rodgon, I hope you guys can find some kind of course that keeps things interesting during the day, and mostly safe and convenient for the wee hours of night. Playing defensive tackle with bikers probably isn't something you want to make a habit of Wink

In the months preceding each Ultra, I always start getting the heebie jeebies, and this one is no different. Although 2007 went really well twice, last year I only "fully" completed the 24-hour ultra 1 out of 3 times. The important thing was what was learned -- my first priority is not to get injured. Pain is inevitable, but injury doesn't have to be. I also just want to see what can be done in cold weather / air conditions again.

For a long time it was a tentative plan of mine to do this March Ultra down in SoCal, but if I do make that trip, now I'm just enjoying the sun, family, skate family and friends, and some mellower rides on the Strand.

I'm really curious what people's goals are for this winter Ultra...

Sounds like Rodgon's been mentally working on this, and I know LDPanda and blake have got some things in mind how far they want to push themselves, Sheldon is keeping me confused by riding his fixie bike all the time Smile

and Marshall from Vashon Island is planning to make it, and he's a pretty hardcore distance guy.

Our ride is going to be 100 miles of wide open Burke-Gilman, a couple miles UP a hill (Stone Way) and then the Greenlake loop all night. Logistics are going to be pretty RAW for the daytime, so I definitely want to have some "pre-race" weekend meets for guys here in the Northwest, walking through the experience and what you'll want to be sure to be prepared for. We are going to put a premium on hitting a fully DRY 24 hour experience-- if the temps are anything in March what they are now (entirely possible this time of year) I'd really rather not be ice boarding at 4--8 a.m. after 20 hours without sleep!

blake

i am going to push my self till i collapse or i feel an injury coming which ever one comes first Twisted Evil

so james we need to get out on the lake atlease a couple times before it because i need to fine my pushing set up. (yes i am pushing this ultra.)

LDPanda

My tentative plan is to set up two boards, my superglider for pushing and my soon to be pulse for pumping. I would probably end up doing the full length at greenlake where i can zone out to some extent and not worry about unfamiliar territory. Also, this would allow me to have my car nearby for spare gear/water/food/etc. I dont have a particular mile goal in mind, Id just be stoked to participate and push myself hard.

pavedwave

awesome!

i would recommend some time out on the burke gilman beforehand as well. and reading up on the Ultraskate III thread, which has a lot of shots of the trail, in case you've never been that far out on the eastside of the trail. if I get time, I'll try to take any new shots on the trail because some of those detours are now fixed, and there might be some new construction zones as well.

i'm tentatively thinking March 13/14, 20/21, or 27/28 -- going with the first one first, postponing to the next week depending on the weather.

if we do this on a Friday-->Saturday, then greenlake works okay for most of the whole time, except for the "peak" between 3--6 p.m. when the crowds are just insane. one lesson we learned is no more saturday greenlake daytime ultras. we had to ride on the gravel to go around big fat crowds several times. but I know that Sheldon and Rain have expressed interest in doing the Burke whichever way we go, and I'm inclined toward that myself.

if we do this on a Saturday-->Sunday (and we probably will) then the burke gilman during the daylight is the only way to go. this also keeps the terrain and the scenery more interesting for half the ride -- although it does mean you have to creatively pack your own water and food.

blake

i would be down for that just give me a ring or a email and i would be down. and i need work figuring out a new pushing set up so this would help me alot

pavedwave

aright peeps, it's on

http://www.ncdsa.com/contest_registration.asp?ContestID=412

subsonic Scott will be up with his family -- and bringing lots o' goodies again!

blake

YEAH ITS ON LIKE DONKEY KONG. skaters grab your boards. and JP will we meet at greenlake then go to the burk gilman

LDPanda

Im sure the answers to a lot of these questions are obvious or elsewhere, but here goes.

1. If theres no entrance fee and its being held in several locations, do we really need to 'sign up'?

2. Which division boxes should i check / what do they mean?

3. Is the march 21 date firm? Or will it be weather dependent?

4. This is a charity event, how do i donate and to whom?

Thanks.

pavedwave

Good questions!

1. The ncdsa Sign Up page gives us a number of things

- A tangible, singular place where all specific ride information can be viewed in one shot. I'll post up information from UK and NZ as their details emerge.
- Visibility on one of the most efficient scheduling calendars in the skate world. Other sites have calendars, but none are so widely used. It's fast and easy for people to sign up, no "membership" necessary, and might also draw a few other curious skaters into the event each time we repeat it.
- Signing up is a commitment to do it, whether one follows through or not, it's the old adage of "making a list" to commit. Same thing for logging results afterward. Michael Dong once told me the main reason for tracking Cyber times was just to have a "personal best" committed on paper, which is just enough motivation for some to try improving next time around.

2. After selecting which country, the intention behind "Division" is to get a handle on people's general level of commitment, which can also be important logistically.

(24-Hours) Fully committed, certifiably insane. This is good to know how many people are planning to ride and/or support the entire night, and who they are. That way we know and can hopefully plan ahead of time about who might be parking their van or truck out at the lake overnight, at the "base camp" where we hope to have somebody always stationed near the support supplies. And if we don't know each other already, it's a great way to try connecting and do some riding beforehand as well!

(Personal Best) is a slightly looser commitment, those people who are eager to show, but know that 24 is daunting, especially for a first time out. They've set their own goals, like just the overnight hours at Greenlake, or 12 hours, 6 hours, 2 hours, or else a certain number of miles / laps around the lake, maybe doing the Seattle-->Redmond 50 miler or 100 miler during the daylight.

(Skate and Support) is for people who really want to come, skate a bit, and lend a hand, but no particular goal in mind other than to support the people who are shooting for personal bests. We'd like to encourage they also donate to the canned food drive, and help promote it as well, which is likely the charity in this case.

3. March 21 is the "firm" date so long as it's not drenched or raining on that day. We'd move to the following day if so, and if the entire weekend is a wash, then to the following weekend.

4. Food drive! TBA...

gotta run, I'll post again later!

Parson Adams

I'm in. Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where are you skating at? I will be more than happy to meet up in Houston for this. If not, my loop will do although it is not sexy like everyone else's. I could get shot skating on that side of San ANtonio at midnight.

edp_swakakin

LovethePump

Some rumblings of setting something up in the greater VA/DC/MD region.

I'll be reaching out to some local skaters on Wed--thought I'd post this in the meantime in case onilne-people stumble by and also have interest.

Will make final determination in a week or two about whether or not to set something up here.

Post here or pm if you're interested! Thanks!
LP

ogmarshall

I just signed up! Thanks James! I am SO stoked to skate, I gotta start training RIGHT NAO! Winter was rough for skating!

rodgon

im in!!!

now to train!

pavedwave

Crake

Ill be pushing here in MN. I hope to beat my personal best and perhaps even skate further. Ill have my antenna powered and receiving the stoke emitting from all the Ultraskaters to spur me onwards.
Huge respect to all the Pavedwavers and Ultraskaters.

Crake

ogmarshall

James - I'm heading down to the desert from Feb 7th - 27th, but I would really like to skate with you before or after that!! A bit of advance warning is nice since I have to take a ferry off of Vashon, so email me or give me a call. ogmarshall@gmail.com and 206-276-8416

Let's skate some miles!

edp_swakakin

pavedwave

Hummina hummina hummina... stokage... E-love showin the love Very Happy

Crake I predict you're gonna raise some eyebrows in your town!

Marshall just drop a line with your free weekends and let's figure sumpin out. This Sunday is looking semi-dry??

ogmarshall

James if it is dry enough to skate on Sunday I would definitely head over to Seattle! I've read a lil about the Burt Gilman trail, and it sounds awesome! I can't believe I haven't done it yet!

LDPanda

as long as its earlier in the morning, id be happy to meet you guys somewhere along the trail, i gotta be up in bham for kickoff ...

pavedwave

What time you leaving for the game Panda? Marshall and I are tentatively looking at 8:30 a.m. on the Burke Sunday, probably starting from Gasworks. I'll be going slow and mellow, as I'm working through a right achilles issue right now.

pavedwave

LDPanda

James, hit me up on the cell, i dont have to leave before noon at the earliest, if you dont have my number anymore, send me a pm or email and ill give it to you. Im sure we can figure out a good place to meet,

Edit: it might be easeiest if i leave from my house heading towards gasworks at around the time you guys leave gasworks, then we can meet in the middle and i can break off when we get back to my house. Just an idea, we'll see. Give me a call if you can.

Crake

Yah I saw they were/are planning on going down there and figured Id eventually see what comes of it. Now that youve reminded me Ill commit and call there tomorrow.
The Metrodome is a pretty big place.
Thanks.

Crake

LovethePump

scooterdad

Well, I have a friend here in town who is also new to LDP, and I've been nudging him to commit to Ultraskate. He says he's in if he can get a T-shirt. I said of course, so now I need to know if such a shirt exists or if there is any interest in creating one?

I have seen a thread or two about pavedwaved.org shirts, but I haven't come across an Ultraskate shirt. Perhaps that is taking the event in an unintended and more official direction, but I figured I'd throw it out there if only to get more company on Ultraskate day. Personally, I'd have some interest in a really cool, well designed technical(i.e.-moisture wicking) shirt, but heck I'd even probably wear a pretty crappy shirt just to increase awareness of LDP. If this has been brought up before, I apologize.

pavedwave

Hey Landy, I don't really have an Ultraskate-specific tee, but I just reposted an update on my current stock of LDP tees...
http://pavedwave.myfastforum.org/sutra2965.php#2965

Though I'm going to leave the LIVESTRONG site up indefinitely, I'm going to start moving future ride benefits / donations toward feeding the homeless and needy in the local area. Once the tees break even, any extra $ will go that direction.

And when these shirts clear out, I'll start looking again into something a little more techy and wicky. One thing though, for summer rides, I learned from Mr. Ted that cotton was a nice way to go -- we had a steady supply of cold/ice water to douse ourselves every chance we got, it really helped keep our body temp down when skating through 95--100 degree summer! Oh and that free tee offer still holds if you get tickets for skateboarding downtown Wink

scooterdad

No tickets here yet though I ride partly on a rail trail
to work which helps. The rest of my rides have been early am (4 to 6 or so)from our town partway to another town, turning around halfway. I have photos I'll try to post sometime. There is a bike lane which makes it possible. I've passed a cop coming towards me a few times on that road with no issues. I must look odd with my headlamp and reflective vest on at 4 am.

Around town, I was stopped once and told "Hey Bud, there's no skateboarding in town" by an officer in his car waiting at a light while I passed him in the opposite direction. I simply replied "ok" picked up my board and walked a little until he moved on, then rode on. I was annoyed though, partly for being called Bud. But still no tickets.

Thanks for the tshirt info. That's a great start. Cotton isn't so bad on those hot days when you're constantly sweating anyway, but when it's cold I sure appreciate staying drier.

pavedwave

petary791

Sorry for my noobness, but lemme get this straight.

So is this a 24 hour skate EVERYWHERE in the world? Like, is it a "Go Skate Day" or something like that?

24 hours is some gnarbar ish...

pavedwave

pavedwave

Btw, this is an excellent site to map out your course and get a fairly accurate mileage readout.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

The more waypoints you set, the more accurate your course mileage will be.

pavedwave

No maps? Come on peeps, I'm dying to see your courses!

Btw, on another note... I'm also curious about how much freedom other people have in general to start their 24 hours on Friday morning March 20th as an alternate. Sheldon and I had talked about keeping Fri-Sat-Sun open just in case the weather looks better Friday than Sat -- THIS weekend is a perfect example:

Even if a few of us decided that Friday looked like the more dry day and jumped on it, I would still be willing to ride all throughout the next night (Sat) along with other peeps, as long as I could go home and sleep several hours Saturday morning. I might end up riding along with a bike or something, but I'd definitely support!!

Now don't let this confuse the issue -- the PLAN is still to start Saturday at 8 a.m... but I just wanted to throw this possibility out there in case the weather next month looked as promising as it's lookin tomorrow!

pavedwave

WOOT! We got an LDP-er from Denmark joining the ranks!!

Tarin's been at this for some time now, great to have him on the NCDSA signup list.

I can't stress enough that the Seattle ride is SOLO AND UNSUPPORTED. I see a pretty nice sized contingency from the Puyallup area and that rocks!! I just want to make sure riders coming don't think that there will be a Garfield High School marching band, Swedish bikini cheerleading team, P.A. system, volunteers providing back and temple massages, and all that hoopla...because there WON'T!! In fact one of the previous rides some showed up without even carrying a WATER bottle (yikes) and there are really only a couple places along the trail where a convenience store is nearby.

Just want to re-iterate... anyone coming for the 8 AM start at Urban Surf on the Burke-Gilman trail, we are going 100 MILES SOLO AND UNSUPPORTED before we go up to Greenlake park at night -- which is also somewhat UNSUPPORTED other than the fact we will have our cars parked there and we can stop and rest anytime after 2.8-mile lap increment. And at least at Greenlake, there will be a bathroom and water fountains here and there.

The Burke-Gilman is a 25-mile, open trail, with only a couple water fountains and restrooms -- PACK AND PREPARE ACCORDINGLY!!!

I'm gonna be Mr. Redundacy here and point out the prep link again Smile

http://pavedwave.myfastforum.org/about61.html

Winnersh

Crake · Pulse

Golden!
Im Ultra ready.

Crake

LDPanda

Nice! i dig the retro sticker action on there.

pavedwave

Cool Crake! May your snow and ice melt away and the sun beam upon your trails!!

Keith you know that WOOT thing is really geek-gamer speak right? I know the UK's got a fair share of late night 1st-person shooter geek freaks cause I've played against a few of 'em back in my Half Life days. You really don't know what I'm talkin about do ya Smile

Great to see the UK contingency still rolling along -- I hope you guys can lock on a location sans scumbags!!

Seems to me the most quiet group so far might be New Zealand... and they've got the best weather no??? But apparently Rob's got a marathon next weekend, so he'd be too hammered to do an ultra right away, I'm not sure about the rest of the crew...

pavedwave

Mission bay map from Rodgon in San Diego:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2622206

And a great write up of the Maryland crew's steps toward the Ultra is on Mike's running blog which is morphing into a longboarding blog!

http://the4onerun.blogspot.com/

"...We're devising our route to be a combination of Easton's Rails to Trails, Oxford Road from Easton to Oxford and back, and a heavy dose of the Kent Island Cross Island Trail." http://bikewashington.org/trails/crossIsland/index.htm

scooterdad

Good find James!

I'd suggest the title "The4onepump.blogspot.com" but becomes a lot less punny that way.

Mike- how about runandpump.blogspot.com ?

LDPanda

For those doing the ultra with the seattle crew, make sure to read James' B-G trail write-up in the Local Trals (or whatever its called) forum. Theres a lot of great info in there, but i wanted to add a few general tips:

1. If you see red or white spray painted lines on the trail, be careful! they identify roots sticking up and other hazards.

2. Be very careful getting onto the several bridges along the trail, i know at least one of them has a gap before it wide enough to eat my entire BigZig. Two or three of them have 'steps' or 'lips' prior to the bridge that can toss you if your wheels arent huge.

3. The two biggest hills on the entire trail come right before quick (and sometimes blind) right turns, use caution.

4. The area around the university can be heavily populated by people NOT expecting fast moving vehicles. They come out of the crosswalks and dont even look. Its only about 3 blocks thats particularly hazardous, i suggest keeping your speed down for this section.

5. When on the return trip (from marymoor to gasworks) there is a point that always confuses me. Its right near where the lake sammamish trail hooks back into the burke gilman. There is a brige to your right (the one with the nasty gap) and a trail to your left (that is pock marked and ugly). Go across the bridge, not down the trail.

6. James mentions a waterfountain past Ti-cycles. To my knowlege it is not operational at the moment, at least it hasnt been the last few times i tried to use it.

pavedwave

Thanks Dave! Great points.

I just unlocked that thread, and will continue to add to it.

http://pavedwave.myfastforum.org/about478.html

I hope anyone who hasn't been on the Burke-Sammamish trail from end to end will read up on it well beforehand, because after doing five of these, I know it's highly unlikely we'll all be going at the same pace!!

rodgon

We are showing up in numbers in SD. ^_^ excited and pulling out the KAhuna big stick for the last ditch efforts!

pavedwave

Crazy Cool Rodrigo, keep us apprised!

All right... Seattle weather is looking like hell!! SO unless things radically turn around in the next 72 hours, a little change in plans for us:

"100-mile CENTURY or 12-hours -- whichever comes first!"

Plans are near the same, just cut in half:

Meeting Saturday 7:45 a.m. at Gasworks, skate one 50-mile round trip of the Burke-Sammamish, then up to Greenlake, ending 8 p.m.

One change: BEER afterward. (lemonade for the youngins) Very Happy

blake

ok i will prob be down for that. if it just kills me i am just gunna end it because there really is no need for me to do it but still want to do it.

**Will subsonic scotty still be at greenlake??**

edp_swakakin

Houston is locked and loaded for 12...

skatersjourney

Dorney (to Dusk) is preparing the Pimm's for the after-jaunt cocktails...

wafflesole

toot toot!

100 miles, sunny day, smooth surface....

must be pimms o'clock.

Winnersh

scooterdad

Our small but determined Maryland crew is hoping for 24 hours, starting Friday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Happy and safe skating to all wherever you happen to skate! Rather than a rain-free dance, we'll get our LDP groove on as a peace offering to the rain gods to hold off on rain in Seattle.

pavedwave

"It's gettin' kinda hectic...
It's gettin' kinda hectic..." (name that tune Eric!!)

I'm off to a b-day party just now so my cabeza is on overload.

Maryland crew in da house... Skatefurther rocks! Solo skaters rock!

Stoked.

Subsonic Scott ain't gonna make this one, sorry, but he's kinda hit with orders and has a big event next weekend, but he will make the next one!

Seattle Update # 2 !! --

MOTIONBOARDSHOP is going to have a stand outside their shop about 12 miles into the ride, right ON the Burke -- they'll put a table out with drink, snacks, etc... And if you need to pick up any skate stuff, hopefully no repairs needed but they'll be there -- Our Official Sponsor!!

I really don't know how many will show up Saturday at Gasworks Park 7:45, it always is that way! There are 49 signed up on the NCDSA thing from all over the world, 17 of them from our area, and there are a couple others that said they're coming that didn't sign up.

Now I'm getting some mail from a couple locals who say they are "down for 24" in ANY condition!!

SO -- if there are people who really had their hearts set on skating the full 24 that was originally planned -- then my personal pledge is to skate and support you over the night hours off and on. That is, if we reach the 8 p.m. hour, and there is someone who says they're committed to go until 8 a.m., then I'll skate off and on and stay at the lake (after going out for a beer first!!) The only "deal" here is that you have to have started from the official Gasworks Start with us at 8 a.m. Saturday. 24 hours in a day baby!!

I know its important to "plan" and direct this event somewhat, but at the same time, this thing started as a solo ride and I think if someone has the verve and energy to DO the 24 in the rain then I will back you all the way. Breakfast at Beth's Sunday morning if that's the case!!

A plan that's already insane needs to have tolerance for instability, irrationality, and last minute psychotic episodes! Very Happy

blake

i dont want to say that i am defently down for the 24 hours but i was gunna see how i felt at 8 and maybe go on. so if i can get a partner then i would love that. i am gunna meet you at gasworks park. I am mad about scot not coming i was gunna leave my stuff with him while i did the burke for an all nighter if i felt so inclined. well MOTIONBOARD SHOP IS THE BEST SHOP EVER yeah sponsors. hey is there room on that longboard team of yours for a distance rider? ; } well i cant wait the day is getting closer

Crake

Here is the Minnesota Ultra route. It totals 15.3 miles of paved bicycle trail starting in St. Paul on Warner/Shephard road and meandering to Minneapolis via Mississippi River road, where we will turn around and return to the starting point.
We will be starting in St. Paul, downtown, near the river at 7 A.M. sharp.

There are plenty of places to stop along the route to catch your breath or grab some fluids but the city drinking fountains were NOT on as of last weekend.

ANYone who wants to skate is welcome, even for short jaunts if they dont feel like doing a long distance push. Just head out either from Minneapolis or St. Paul and youll be sure to run into us.

Crake

scooterdad

Crake- Looks like you've got some sweet weather there tomorrow- similar to ours but a bit warmer even!

Speaking of weather, it does look like conditions are improving for Seattle...

Landy

pavedwave

Yes Landy even your thoughts of rain dances are already paying off!

Crake your course looks awesome. Best to you and cool to see your temperatures are in the "human" zone this weekend.

The precip forecast has gone down to 30-40% here in Seattle. That, plus a couple energetic emails got me thinking we better keep the "Finish" plan a little loose... so if it's mainly dry during the day and any single person in the core group wants to go the full 24 -- then onward we go!

I want to reiterate to any skater at that 8 p.m. decision point: do not feel swayed by the group dynamic -- it's not selfish, if you have a goal set in mind to do the 24 hours I know how powerful a rush it is to continue on through the night and the mental and physical planning it takes to get there, so speak your mind when it gets close to 8 p.m.!

We're gettin close fellas, carbo-load and potassium-load today - pasta and bananas!!

LDPanda

Are we still planning on only one round-trip of the gilman (50 mi) then onto greenlake? or have we moved back to the original plan of two round trips (100 mi) and then over to greenlake?

pavedwave

Great question Dave, you're gettin' ahead of my pre-race talk Wink

I'm going to leave that decision open to whomever shows up. In every ultra to date, there's a group that sends me email and chats about this online beforehand, and then there's the group that actually shows up at 7:30--7:45 a.m., ready to hit the trail.

I've always been surprised to see a new face or two and people who really haven't been keeping up on the "internet" side of things -- so I'll do a pre-race briefing at the Start line, on the general plan and the areas of flexibility. I always hope that people will have read things like the Burke Walkthrough, but there are those who choose not to and sometimes get lost! http://pavedwave.myfastforum.org/about478.html

Whomever does 50 miles and honest to god feels like they can do another 50 miles with practically no support and still make it up to Greenlake by 8 p.m. / before sundown, is welcome to do that. Personally, I would only do that if it really looked to be DRY the whole day, and as we all know that's a crap shoot. But it really can make a difference what you decide to pack (or have friends bring along for you) if you're doing 50, let alone 100 miles unsupported. The best thing about this "plan" anyway, is that we'll all be back at the same Finish, regardless.

FYI - on a good day, I make it back to Gasworks between 5--5:30 p.m. after 100 miles.

My best advice is for those who don't make it back to Gasworks by 1 p.m., and feel a bit on the tired side after 50 miles, heading up to Greenlake at that point is probably the best plan. Especially if they haven't done rides of 50+ miles before, and haven't really been training but doing more "casual" riding. Racing back to Seattle to beat the sunset, especially if it starts raining again, can be pretty mental for those who haven't done it before!

blake

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!! ITS TOMORROW 0_o pasta and bananas for me. i am hopefully getting a camelback for tomorrow. and i am gunna try with all my might to get there like 730

edp_swakakin

pavedwave

blake

yeah i am thinking camelback and cliff bars or other power type bars. today it will be pasta and bananas. clothing wise i am thinking basketball shorts ski socks (knee high for warm) vans, my pavedwave shirt with underarmor (for warmth) and a raincoat. maybe a baseball cap? what about you guys?

Winnersh

I've just packed. Etnies, running socks, lycra legging things (don't worry - they're covered by a pair of trousers), Underarmour top (Star Trek purple) Long sleve merino top. Yellow tint sunnies. Helmet.
For when it heats up, I've t-shirt, shorts, and Vibram Five fingers.
Camelpak and water bottle belt. Belt is handy to hang the GPS from.

LDPanda

I did all my packing last night. Blake, if you dont have a camel pak i highly suggest getting one, theyre awesome for hydration and carrying stuff. Theres some very long stretches without acess to water. I packed powerbar shots (the liquid ones), trail mix (heavy on the banana chips), beef jerkey (for saltyness), a sports drink/protien shake combo (also doubles as a cup for filling the camel pak, theyre hard to fill with a water fountain or sink), a tiger bar, uh ... some other stuff im sure. Also a skate tool, 2 bilt ins, some extra bushings, mp3 player and batteries, cell phone, headlamp, wallet, keys, prolly more stuff. I got all that in the second smallest camel pak by the way.

Looking forward to tomorrow. cyall bright and early

Ultraskate VI - Time to Chill

Why

lol

...

Pulse