12/23 – Hains Point 100 – A Ride to Benefit WABA’s Women on Bikes Program

Hi, folks. Since Megabeth’s apparently just going for a long ride on Sunday, it turns out that I’m going to play DS on the ground. I – along with a number of awesome volunteers – will be manning the sign-in/feedzone/finish/tourbusobstaclecourse at the end of Hains Point.

I don’t have a full logistics checklist together yet, but if you’re planning to bring something to share with others, and you haven’t already indicated that in your signup, drop me a note via email (mbatblacknell.net)? Marc, if you want to bring some chem-warmers, or Bilsko wants to help with the AM coffee? Awesome.

My only challenge at the moment is trying to figure out how best to deal with water. The fountains are on, and I’m really not a fan of giant cases of plastic water bottles. At the same time, I’d like to have some water on hand. Anyone happen to have those wirerack/tap setups to use with a 5 gallon water jug? Or know where they might be gotten locally?

Honestly, when this first came together, it was conceived as an entirely self-supported ride with friends and their friends. And to some extent, it’s still that. But with so many generous offers of help, prizes, and whatnot, I expect the feedzone to be an excellent place to hang out, grab a bite between laps, and get any assistance you could possibly need*.

Really looking forward to this.

*But no one wants to hear about your issues with your mother.

@Dirt 38348 wrote:

I’ll be rolling back through Falls Church a little before 0900 on my way downtown. I may run into or over you. I know Vince was looking for people to ride with from Vienna I can connect you two via Face-a-ma-book if you want.

I don’t know my exact timing for Sunday morning because I really don’t know what my pre-ride route is going to be. I’ll try and give you a holler when I get to Vienna. I may just be so intent on riding that I don’t really want to sit up and chat.

I was thinking of trying to arrive at HP just about 10am so there’s no dawdling around getting cold. I think I’ve seen that Vince fellow around some places. I’ll bookface him.

Right now Weather.com is predicting 42 degrees and sunny.

I presume I’m not the only one that gets a runny nose due to cold temps so I’ll bring boxes of Kleenex and a trash can for use at the feed station.

It will probably be just above freezing at the ride start and only a fairly narrow temperature range for the entire day. I did a hilly half century at that range last week and was comfortable (even slightly too warm in the sun) with the following:

Top half – Mid-weight merino wool base layer, mid-weight long sleeve jersey, light nylon shell;
Bottom half – Bib cycling knickers with cycling tights over them (windproof on the front of the legs) ;
Hands – Windstopper mid-insulation gloves with thin silk/wool liners;
Feet – Light over-the-calf merino wool ski socks, with light 3/4 merino wool socks over them;
Shoes – Leather spd with limited ventilation;
Head – coolmax billed cycling cap over fleece ear warmers under standard road style helment; and
Eyes – Tinted glasses.

If it’s like today, bring a sail and you can do a century in two or three hours.

My flight’s not until 5 pm, so I’m going to try and make it for the morning laps.