Comments on: Crew Report for LoToJa 2015, Part 1: Too Close for Comfort

By: leroy

leroy — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 14:10:01 +0000

What bike(s) are they using?

My dog said he’s curious.

Told my dog I agreed. He is curious.

But I’m interested too.

The Hammer rides a Specialized Roubaix S-Works with Zipp 404s and a SRAM Red drivetrain. Lindsey…well, it’s a Cannondale, but I didn’t look closely at what it is. – FC

By: Jim B

Jim B — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 02:55:52 +0000

“For most of my life, I’ve been acutely aware of a fact you have no doubt also discovered at some point in your life. Specifically, that the universe revolves around me.”

My plan is working beautifully. One of my minions spent a weekend preparing for a race, driving to it, experiencing it, thinking about it, driving back home, and then spent a couple hours writing it up in summary form for my casual entertainment, saving me from a few moments of boredom.

And best part is the minion thinks *he* is the center of it all. Bwaaa ha ha.

By: Cyclingjimbo

Cyclingjimbo — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 02:55:30 +0000

Nice start to what we all hope will be an exciting series. The perspective of crew vs. racer will be interesting to read, putting adieu to the old adage “Them that can does, and them that can’t crews.” Nice to see you came swing both ways – or maybe not, depending on the next installments.

I am tempted to ask for a report on your mega contest winners, but I won’t. Maybe Elroy’s dog is getting through to me.

By: Mark in Bremerton

Mark in Bremerton — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 22:49:14 +0000

One second is cutting it close! I doubt I could have “lounged about” without getting a little more, uh, proactive, not unlike keeping your mouth shut about Lindsey’s food plan.

My wife gets up about 3 hours before she has to leave in the morning and still is tying her shoes as she’s hitting the garage door opener, and hopping toward the car.

I am more like you. If I’m not 10 minutes early, I’m late. I can relate.

By: Corrine

Corrine — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 22:48:25 +0000

@Jeff, I read the same article about PSI but have been too afraid to try it out. Not that I’m very fast either way! Fatty, I love that you are writing about crewing. I think it is harder to crew than to just do the racing!
BTW, just finished the Smoke ‘n Fire, a great but grueling 400 (although 445 miles this year) bikepacking race in Idaho that is a great sufferfest. You can read about Rebecca Rusch’s race (it only took me over twice as long as her to do the race) here. http://bikepackersmagazine.com/rebecca-rusch-smoke-n-fire-400/. She got ambushed by elk and porcupine! Great interview.
Can’t wait to see how Lindsey and Lisa do!

By: aussie kev

aussie kev — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 22:40:59 +0000

I hope the IT Guy at least put a towel on the car seat before he sat down !!!!

By: Jeff Dieffenbach

Jeff Dieffenbach — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 22:32:28 +0000

At the risk of starting a PSI war (being from New England, PSI is a subject near-and-dear to me), may I respectfully suggest that 110psi is WAY too much for Lindsey (whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting).

I weigh approximately 1.8 Lindseys. I run 85 in the front, 90 in the rear, plus or minus gauge accuracy and air pressure lost between the gauge and the valve.

The current thinking, backed by science, is that we’ve long been running too much pressure on too-narrow tires. From the perspective of traction, rolling resistance, and aerodynamics, 25mm or even 28mm tires at pressures in the 70-90 range (depending on rider weight, tire type, and other factors) is reportedly the fastest.

Fatty, you’re fired! [grin]

Something I didn’t include in the report was that when Lindsey told me she wanted 120psi, I said, “That’s way too high for you.” That’s what she wanted though, and this wasn’t the time to argue. – FC

By: Brian in VA

Brian in VA — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 21:02:38 +0000

Wow! A race report with a different slant! Fatty, you’ll stoop to anything to get me to keep coming back!

By: UpTheGrade, SR, CA

UpTheGrade, SR, CA — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 20:28:27 +0000

“The rear tire was seventyish PSI. “That’s not good,” I said, and inflated it to 110.
The rear tire was also seventyish.”

I too hate it when my pumping seems to make no difference! (JK)

No stuffing people with Brats before the race? What kind of preparation is that ;-)

By: Bee T

Bee T — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 19:21:51 +0000

Timely! I am going to be support-person-ing for my sister and a friend at the Marine Corps Marathon, which means I will be riding my bike from point to point, holding up signs, and screaming things like, “Good pace! Wow, running! Super!”

Occasionally I will point, helpfully, to an upcoming aid station, and scream, “DRINK THE GATORADE!”

I think PVC pipes and balloons would be an excellent addition to our signs.

I am also considering helping my sister organize her food the night before. Which would mean me dumping out my end-of-season stash of GUs, chews, and bars and attempting to foist it all upon her and saying things like “Are you SURE you don’t want to borrow my race belt that can fit 16 GUs??”

Excellent advice to be the annoying one with experience!