Quote from evblazer on Jul 17th, 2008, 5:25pm: If that is what it is how I can not want to be in
Is each lap 17.85 miles? Trying to piece together posts (one says 125 miles each rider Nelson just said 7 laps)
Each lap is essentially 20 miles -- it's 8 miles to the right turn at the "top" of the course, about 3.5 miles across the top, and the remainder back to the start. A team can do the laps however you feel like splitting them up -- it looks like Brad took at least one two-lap turn (1:59 is excellent time for a double, by the way!
). We had three riders do 6 laps (120 miles), and one do 7 laps (140 miles), alternating through the four of us, but we flipped the order during the night to give people a chance to get a little sleep, which seemed to work pretty well. Brenda Barnell's 3-person mixed team split things differently, 120/180/200, I think (with Brenda doing the 200).
What actually helps team riders is that there are also solo contestants out there that are doing either 200 or 500 miles -- and you're a LOT fresher than they are when you're riding your lap(s), so chances are you will catch and pass someone you see ahead of you. Rabbits and carrots, so to speak!
Here's a version of Brad's elevation map, with certain landmarks noted:
I believe it was around Mile 9 or so where the infamous "Get that kickstand offa that bike" incident occurred...
and "The Glade" is the name of a retirement community off to the left of the road that is essentially where most of the climbing is complete, and some nice downhills are ahead, so "If you're at the Glade, you've got it made!"