Started my packing last night. Just wondering - if it's raining - will they leave our luggage outside our tents? should we prepare for that possibility and put everything inside plastic bags? Also heard people had problems last year with their ID for their bike. Any suggestions on a good place to put it that won't get in the way of our knees or our water? I'm thinking I'm going to try to put it up closer to the place where my handlebars meet my bike... So what are you all bringing?? obviously change of biking clothes for next day... (do you have a 2nd pair of biking shoes?) something to wear Saturday night... jammies something to change into on Sunday after the ride? real shoes jacket pharmaceuticals etc? Am I forgetting anything?
I'll bring a second pair of shoes, nothing worse than riding in wet shoes the next day, you will get holes in your feet (not just blisters). Also bring loads more socks than on a dry day, change frequently.
Yes pack everything in plastic, I will just line my bag with a garbage bag and that will take care of it.
I'll bring a raincoat but probably not wear it.
I'd rather be wet with water than sweat.
Girls - if you're flat enough to get away with it - skip the bra.
Your shirt will dry fast after the rain is over, your bra will stay wet forever.
Sorry sharkie, but ladies never skip the bras. Nothing worse then riding over bumps or any kind of terrain with the girls bouncing everywhere. A proper sports bra is made of a similar material as our shirts and will dry relatively quickly. But thanks for the garbage bag idea in the bag thats a good idea. I was trying to figure out what to do there.
Diane I looked at pic's from the toronto ride, last year, and they have their bike numbers in the same place you suggested. I'm going to put mine there too. Maybe there is a suggestion where to place the number in the letter they sent us. I have to reread it I was so excited when I got my package I have to admit I only skimmed the letter. Also Diane the photo's from last training ride were fantastic. Items to bring: flashlight bugjuice some of your own favorite munchies for the ride.
Weather - Be prepared for all kinds of weather - hot, humid, cold, and wet! Pack your belongings inside large plastic bags (garbage bags work great) before you put them in your suitcase, to keep them dry in case of rain
weather forecasting - dang it frustrates me! they're rarely right... but of course I'm watching it now for all 3 cities... Looks like HOT and humid and WET on Saturday - followed by a high of 22 on Sunday... We really do have to come prepared for anything. I have a question for those of you without paniers on your bike. How do you dress for such a mix of weather? having a sweater/jacket in your luggage isn't going to help on the road... Just curious...
sharkies - thanks for the tip but my girls need extra support. I feel every single bump in the road magnified through them! How was your in-line race this weekend??
Race results: Lousy 300m, 500m, and 5k, but won the 10k.
So now you know why my name is Sharkies10k !
I wasn't in shape as I'm still recovering from a vaccine accident caused by my employer. Actually it wasn't an accident, they should have known better than to force me to retake that vaccine. Medical records pretty much showed something bad was going to happpen...
Diane- Oh Im sure Soli will let us ALL know how the boys are doing!..heh,heh. Heading out to MEC to get a proper raincoat tonight...that 140 km we did in the middle of torrential rain last week really taught me-and others in the group Im sure-about how important it is to be prepared!
I thought mermaids liked water ? I'll probably just get wet, spandex dries fast. Sometimes rain actually feels good because it cools you off. I will pack extra sox, a dry shirt - and a cape in case I change my mind...
I looked on the radar, it doesn't look torrential at this point. We'll be on the back side of the system, which means more light and scattered showers as opposed to a huge wall of water coming down.
I will check again Thurs and Friday, I'm pretty good at reading these things.
-- Edited by sharkies10k on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 10:37:10 AM
K: so I have packed extra socks and two over the sholder boulder(in my case pebble)holders. Two pairs of bike pants, spare shirt but I thought I would wash the team shirt in the shower in camp, and hope it dries for Sunday. Butt butter chocolate for the s'mores. Right Dez s'mores at your tent! What else!
Today's forecast for all three cities on Saturday is rain BUT the winds are coming form the SW at 20k so that is good. We'll get a push to Trois Rivieres but we'll be wet. That's today, tomorrow the forecast will change, I'm sure.
I'm having my mechanic put water wings on my bike!
The weather is really not helping the motivation!!! Montreal - Saturday July 11th http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caqc0363 P.O.P. 40% High 25°C Low 19°C Wind SW 20 km/h
Quebec - Sunday July 12th http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caqc0441 P.O.P. 60% High 21°C Low 13°C Wind W 15 km/h
don't forget the 15 mm of rain in Trois Rivieres on Saturday! 10-15 in Montreal on Saturday and only 2-4 mm in Quebec on Sunday... yippee ! I see 80% chance of rain in Trois-Rivieres on Saturday... UGH UGH UGH!
The good news is that forecasts often change and are often wrong... Let's hope that's the case for this weekend. If you have any special pull with Mother Nature - my favorite weather is 21 celsius, little wind but if any from the West to East please - and fully overcast but no rain... (that's for the Melanoma survivor in me!)
At least we will have the wind in our back, so, we will go faster to Trois-Rivières. and we will be less soak than if we have to spend 7 to 8 hours onthe road.
Hoping to meet you saturday!!!
Jean turgeon
__________________
Les kilomètres pédalés sont désormais derrière nous...Vivement que les prochains arrivent.
ha ha I laugh at thunderstorms! been there - done that! Actually it totally sucks!!! not fun at all... I don't mind if we get rained on during the last two hours - but starting out - UGH!!! Oh well - can't wait to see you all Saturday bright and early!
Diane You're right after that July 1st storm we can ride through anything, But IT'S GOING TO BE SUNNY ON SATURDAY. I can only work on one day at a time on friday I'll start working on a sunny day for sunday. Just to be safe everyone work on sending out sunny positive vibes.