Some Biking Notes

[kriskd]

I haven't posted too much on my biking because I haven't wanted to bore you all, but check this out:

http://www.urbanassaultrace.com/madison.php

Jim and I are considering this, but the cost is $120!    Does it look worthwhile?  For our fitness level, it's not long enough, but it's also the closest we'll get to participating in something remotely like "The Amazing Race".

We're already signed up to do a 100-mile ride (at only $32/person!) which we don't anticipate having any trouble with.  It's a nice ride with rest stops (with food!) every 20 miles or so.

And yesterday, I did my longest pre-century ride at 56.5 miles!  However, that wasn't all at once.  I biked to and from work (only worked a half day) for 24 miles and then did the 32.5 after having lunch at home and resting up a bit.

Worked myself pretty good, but didn't wake up sore this morning.

[The Beam]

Do it.  It sounds like fun.

[Ozish Girl]

My brother did one of these once.  He had a blast!  I say go for it.

[Lisa]

Yeah, go on do it..

[Spite]

  Sounds boring to me.  Head for some mountains....  It seems like you could cope with it.

[kriskd]

  Sounds boring to me.  Head for some mountains....  It seems like you could cope with it.

Cool!  The first person to give us a negative response.    Seriously, I appreciate the honesty.  I was telling Jim about posting it and figured no one would tell us not to do it.

You're right... this ride is probably made for the average person and not so much for Jim and I who are a bit more serious (although there are more hard core bikers than us).  However, maybe that would give us an edge to win the thing too!

[Spite]

Cool!  The first person to give us a negative response.    Seriously, I appreciate the honesty.  I was telling Jim about posting it and figured no one would tell us not to do it.

You're right... this ride is probably made for the average person and not so much for Jim and I who are a bit more serious (although there are more hard core bikers than us).  However, maybe that would give us an edge to win the thing too!

  There is always the fact that you might win, but how big would you feel winning such a course?  You both sound like you need to push yourself a little, to me.

[kriskd]

Yeah, I am more interested in stuff/push us.  However what intrigues me about this is the unknown although I wish they wouldn't have even advertised the checkpoints and left that for you to figure out.  Our 100-mile ride in September is more physically challenging, but we know exactly what to expect.

So, we'll see.  I'm a bit too exhausted right now to think too much about it. 

[kriskd]

Good news!  We registered for the Urban Assault Race.

We saw a poster for it at our gym yesterday and members get $20 off!  So, instead of $120, it is only running us $100 and I couldn't say no to that.  Got the sign-up form and mailed it in with a check yesterday.  Just waiting for an e-mail confirmation that we're in. 

[Taf]

You are PAYING to exert yourself?

Where does the money go?

[kriskd]

You are PAYING to exert yourself?

I know... I think that was sort of Spite's point.  We could just go off on our own and do a ride that challenges us for free.  However, we're also paying for the social aspect and someone's time for organizing this event.  Also, we'll get lunch out of this and I think even beer is included.

Where does the money go?

From the website:

http://www.urbanassaultrace.com/charities.php

However, many/most of those aren't local to Madison. 

[kriskd]

I got a confirmation e-mail that we're officially in the race! 

[Lisa]

yay!!

[Spite]

I know... I think that was sort of Spite's point.

  It wasn't.  I meant that you both sound sort of advanced in biking terms to be doing such an easy race.  A hundred dollars?  That's fifty quid!  Couldn't they rig up some sort of sponsorship deal where you get folks to sponsor you?

[kriskd]

I know... I think that was sort of Spite's point.

  It wasn't.  I meant that you both sound sort of advanced in biking terms to be doing such an easy race.  A hundred dollars?  That's fifty quid!  Couldn't they rig up some sort of sponsorship deal where you get folks to sponsor you?

I guess I'm not comfortable asking friends/family to pitch in a few bucks to offset the registration fee for something we're doing for fun.  Yes, the website says some charities benefit, but as I pointed out, none of those are local, so I hardly consider this a charitable event.  Plus, the 100 bucks is going towards the cost of t-shirts, food, beer and the people at each one of the checkpoints where we have to do our little challenge or whatever.  So, basically, I think we'll get our value out of this and since we both work full time, we can justify the cost. 

On a lighter note, I've been mapping out our path on Google maps.  If I can get a decent image out of it, I'll post it for all of you (although it would only mean something to someone who is familiar with Madison!). 

Tomorrow Jim is going to be gone all day with a buddy, so I'll be doing a test run of this route by myself.  They hope to hit the road by 6am and I hope to be on my bike around that time too in order to get this task done before the rest of the city gets up!