It is getting to be time to think about HHH again. Steve and Peggy will be joining us, camping out in the recreation center. That should be a blast. Should we forgo the official spaghetti dinner (I didn't think it was all that, last year) and eat our Friday evening dinner out together somewhere?
 
Are you still thinking about a paceline, Paul? I'm fitter than I thought I might be at this point, but I know I need to go out slower than I did last year. If we could do a 20 mph paceline or so, I think that would be great fun, keeping a group together and passing so many folks as a group. If it's a 23 mph paceline, I probably won't stay with it for long. I'd like to have a little more left at the end this year. We do have some rbenters capable of that 23 mph paceline, and if they choose to do that, I won't hold it against them.
 
Let's hear everyone's HHH plans!

Quote from Strada177 on Aug 3^rd, 2008, 8:34pm:

 
Drafting in a precision paceline is especially tough with a recumbent, it takes such quick micro adjustments, which are harder to do on a longer and heavier bike. There are very few recumbent riders who really do it well, and I can't claim to be one of them. I don't think we need to get that serious about it for HHH, but an informal paceline, in a not-quite-so-precision line, sounds like fun.

The hotel across the street from the Rec center has an excellent Italian buffet, for $10 -- beats the pants off of the HHH Group Feed...  I'd suggest that.  No reservations required, just go over and do it, pay there.
 
My initial suggestion for the " 'bent paceline " was exactly what Bud described, a "casual" one, maybe rolling at 18-20... with occasional "sprint zones" of course.  Last year, Bud and I were hitting 23-25 most of the first thirty miles before we split up, but I was definitely thinking something a little more "social" (read: able to breathe and drink and talk, perhaps even simultaneously)...
 
However, we'd want to coordinate on rest stop points.  I've historically stopped at 30, 50, and 85ish prior to the beer stop -- 30 gets you past most of the initial crowd, 50 (Margaritaville) the sun is starting to heat up, and 85-ish, it's HOT, and you've been fighting the headwinds since 70...
 

Quote from FlyingLaZBoy on Aug 4^th, 2008, 9:24am:

 
Exactly. The main concern the first few miles is just staying safe and getting through the slow traffic. And Greg may have the right idea for those trying for a personal best: conserve energy staying with the group for a good ways, then launch later and see what you can do. At that point, you might pick up a faster df paceline, too. There were plenty going by me late in the ride last year, but I was too blown up to latch onto them.

Quote from Bud_Bent on Aug 4^th, 2008, 4:35pm:

 
Perfect. Let's do it.

I can't go to HHH because of the dang Verizon union "work stoppage".  My management team is working mandatory, 12 hour days, 6 days a week.  And sure enough, if I plan to go, I'll get called into work.  
 
Anyway, are you all aware that tandems and recumbents stage at the front?  I was there a few years ago, and got to paceline with the "B" train (Bacchetta team riders).  
 
I was fortunate to practice with them the day before (Friday) for about 20 miles.  During the HHH ride on Saturday, Schlitter blasted off the start line at 27 mph.  "The train" held on as we rode past hundreds of people who started prior to the official start.  About 15 miles into the ride about half the "B" train (including me) couldn't hold a 25-27 mph pace. Schlitter and a few others finished just under 4 hours.  I finished in roughly 4 hours, 30 minutes; 22.8 mph avg., my fastest century.
 
You all are faster than me, so have a goal to finishy in under 4:30.  Make us all proud !

I'm not sure I WANT to ride a century at that hard of a pace... matter of fact, I'm SURE I don't!!!  
[/quote]
I think I will head up the 15mi and under pace my average may be only 12 if I am lucky I plane to try to finish the metric 100   usually I can keep a 20mi pace the first 10 or so miles until it starts to break up and then I start to slow up  so if any one is going that can't keeep up with the faster guys you can ride with me  
it looks like this ride this year will live up to its name   Hotter N Hell  
Eddie