... do you want to train a bit together before this one? i really want to be skating the whole 24 hours this time.

One thing I'd like to meet up with others to do is the 1.5 or so miles from Gasworks park UP Stone Way to Greenlake. That's the only real hill to climb on the whole course, and anyone who really wants to do the daytime plus the lake should do it at least once to get familiar with the road -- it's basically a choice between taking the bike lane (traffic) or taking the sidewalk (in really bad shape). Either choice is an uphill challenge, and I'm leaning toward the sidewalk strategy myself because it's easier to get through the traffic lights as a pedestrian, than as traffic. Really long waits at the lights sometimes...

Greenlakes always a good thing, usually going to be early evening because of work.

Connor Harkey

-rain

You're working weekends Rain? Maybe some late weekday dry afternoon we can meet at Gasworks / Urban Surf and just go from there.

-rain

here's the general plan so far, much like last May's ride

will any one be meeting at greenlake before going up stoney way? if so ican i fallow you
?

Either that, or just hop in your car at Gasworks and drive up to Greenlake -- which is a lot easier logistically.

kinda like it does already THIS weekend:

I'm just not at all up for skating hours of downpour on a Saturday, if Friday is brilliantly sunny, like it is today... that way, we've all done this on the same weekend. I hope other people are open to that, I'm just tossing it out as a possibility.

The other more desireable outcome is moving to Sunday morning start, if it looks drier than Saturday. That is still going to #### up your Monday though, if you think about it!! But that's what Eric and I learned from and wished we had done, for the perpetually rainy Ultraskate III.

btw, Ted might be out to support us on a surprise alternative transportation contraption... and no it is not a freakin Pumgo or Ripstik.. the dude has class.

but still, the default plan is to start March 21 Saturday at Gasworks 8 a.m. (get there by 7:45 at the latest!!!)

a re-post of some guidelines from a previous Ultraskate....

"... especially for any riders who plan to join for the first 50 or more, i should point out at least this:

- follow the rules of the road. there are a few big intersections in the University district, later on around Sand Point, and in Kenmore, where you really need to be aware of cross traffic. blasting across a road without looking or against the signal lights can put you right in front of an SUV soccer-mom yakking on a cel phone and yes, death can be a consequence!

- follow good trail etiquette, with regard to bikes and peds. there are a lot of fast, competitive bikers training at 20--30mph out there, so always, always, stay to the RIGHT side of the trail, and keep looking back with frequency. stay alert and respectful, set a good example!

- this is very much an individualistic, survivalist type of course, not an "organized event", at least the first 100 miles. there are no supporters on hand, although I will be bringing some water bottles to the start line, you need to be ready for long miles and bring adequate hydration and power food along. protein bars, carbo bars, a small backpack. up at Greenlake, it feels less like this, because more people can hang out at our spot at the stadium and we can "pit stop" there any time. it's a much more chill vibe there, and bringing a lawn chair and several blankets is a good idea!"

i assume everyone knows the 25-miles of the Burke end to end.. any that don't should contact me with your questions! i'm going to create a map this time, and try to get out the night before to chalk some places, but it's still a quirky trail and if it rains, no more chalk...

If any of you distance ho's want to get out this weekend, lemme know.

No matter what, this ride will probably be the least preparation-heavy, most chill of all. I'm digging the fact there are solo riders here and there including a guy from Copenhagen!!!

Be sure to shout out ANY clarification questions you have beforehand.

Oh and it's likely going to be insanely COLD overnight, if the last few weeks haven't already made that obvious!

but yeah judging by seattles weird weather i wouldn't be suprised if it was like snowing.. lol

I currently stopped listening to weather forcasts ha.

Can't wait for this ultraskate!!!!

just pray for good weather, just now it's lookin kinda sketch. we'll make the final call friday

A lot has changed in the last couple days regarding plans.

The short of it is, that the weather still looks like hell this weekend, and doesn't seem to be changing. So unless it makes a radical shift... we are planning on a "100-mile CENTURY or 12-hours" Saturday, whichever comes first.

SAME start time and place -- Gasworks Park, 7:45 a.m. Saturday

Only ONE round trip, so that's 50 miles on the trail, then up to Greenlake for the remainder. Greenlake makes the finishing logistics 1000% more simple. Plus we can all go eat and imbibe somewhere afterward!

The Burke-Sammamish is SUPER flat, with a bump or two. Same as the lake. I just finished a complete "walkthrough" a few days ago, "Required Reading" if you don't know the trail!

http://pavedwave.myfastforum.org/The_Burke_Gilman_Trail_Complete_Walkthrough_about478.html

And there's still some talk of calling this Century a "warm up" and doing yet the full 24-hour skate some time in April.

There are 49 signed up on the NCDSA thing from all over the world, 17 of them from our area, and there are a couple others that said they're coming that didn't sign up.

Now I'm getting some mail from a couple people who say they are down for 24 in ANY condition!!

SO -- if there are people who had their hearts set on skating the full 24 that was originally planned -- then my PLEDGE is to skate and support you over the night hours off and on. That is, if we reach the 8 p.m. hour, and there is someone who says they're committed to go until 8 a.m., then I'll skate off and on and stay at the lake (after going out for a beer first!!) The only "deal" here is that you have to have started from the official Gasworks Start with us at 8 a.m. Saturday.

I know its important to "plan" and direct this event somewhat, but at the same time, this thing started as a solo ride and I think if someone has the verve and energy to DO the 24 in the rain then I will back you. Breakfast at Beth's Sunday morning if that's the case!!

A plan that's already insane needs to have tolerance for instability, irrationality, and last minute psychotic episodes! :-D

btw, great to see you back Stateside!

That being said, how long do you think it will take for the fastest people to get from gasworks to about where we are? I just want to make sure I'm set up in time and have my camera ready cause everyone loves pics of them skating!

Blake-MOBO loves you too! We're working on getting some t-shirts and more stickers made up so that we can hook more teamriders up, especially in areas we haven't branched out to yet like pumping. We're just not quite ready yet for this event. : ( However Newman made up some sic t-shirt designs that I think everyone is really gonna like.

And after we close up shop Saturday we'll definitely come have a beer (or two) and skate around greenlake!

-KT

my guess is the front skaters will be scooting past the first time about 9 a.m., so about an hour earlier than you guys open, and there could be a 10--15 minute spread amongst the pack by then as well. I suspect people will be inclined for their first stop on the return trip, which should be anywhere from 11:45--1 p.m. or even later, as the ride lengthens the spread grows, and who knows about the weather!?

it looks like the rain dances might be paying off, the precip forecast has gone down to 30-40% - that, plus a couple energetic emails got me thinking we better keep the "Finish" plan a little loose... so if it's mainly dry during the day and any single person in the core group wants to go the full 24 -- then onward we go!

I want to reiterate to any single skater at that 8 p.m. decision point, do not feel swayed by the group dynamic -- it's not selfish, if you have a goal set in mind to do the 24 hours I know how powerful a rush it is to continue on through the night and the mental and physical planning it takes to get there, so speak your mind when it gets close to 8 p.m.!

and once again to the NWLB crew, we're gettin close fellas, carbo-load and potassium-load today - pasta and bananas!!

it looks like the rain dances might be paying off, the precip forecast has gone down to 30-40

Thats really good to hear!

So bananas and pasta is best to eat the day before? Is there anything else that would be helpful too? like should you drink a lot of water or get like 10 hours of sleep? I've been researching it but everyone seems to have very varied opinions..

I've been researching it but everyone seems to have very varied opinions..

http://pavedwave.myfastforum.org/The_24_Hour_Ultraskate_Prep_about61.html

lot of water always good. sleep varies for individuals but whatever constitutes a "good nights sleep" for you is best. i wouldn't do anything drastically different, just make sure you make it to the start line before 8 a.m.!

thanks for the info!

i just go a pace of about 10mph-11mph most of the time and I dont' really alter it. last time i tried going faster I blew out. if I go slower, I lose focus. not that I'm trying to "nail" a record tomorrow, but I always like to keep my options open. you don't really know if it's a good or a bad day for you until about 6--10 hours into it.

and beef jerky is the bomb. just don't eat too much or your stomach will be the bomb. :-$

not going to carry a backpack, i hate skating with them. i will however carry a water bottle and fill my pockets with sweets.

look for the 'sydney city bomb squad' t-shirt.

Maryland crew's started last night at 8 p.m.
The Skatefurther crew in the UK is halfway into their ride -
Ian from Florida starts this morning
Crake started 7 a.m. Minnesota time
Eric Lowell started ?? Texas time
San Diego guys start with us at 8 a.m., I think!?

SEATTLE -- 7:45 a.m. Gasworks Park Launch -- the weather's lookin good!

http://pavedwave.myfastforum.org/The_Burke_Gilman_Trail_Complete_Walkthrough_about478.html

Hope to see some locals down at Greenlake later on this evening. We'll probably start making it up there after 3 p.m. -- maybe a few of us are doing the Burke 100 miles, MOST of us are doing it for 50 miles, then Greenlake.

Happy Pumps-

Thank you again MotionBoardShop, it was great having your support ALL throughout the day!!

This ride was very 'chill' in both the shared laid-back vibe of our event and the temperature. It was our best turnout on the Burke-Gilman trail in the morning, this ride was a lot more riding and less spectating.

I'll blog more about the ride later, but some of the fellas are up for our morning "church of cyber slalom" so I've got to clean up from last night and get down to the garage!!

ps: the bee gees rock!

Us at the start. It was to early to realize how stupid and crazy we were for doing this. Thats me reppin the push with my pink hat and knee high socks.

Arlene (sorry if i spelled your name wrong) bustin it out on his dervish

The camera loves him.

Us at the start. It was to early to realize how stupid and crazy we were for doing this. Thats me reppin the push with my pink hat and knee high socks.

Arlene (sorry if i spelled your name wrong) bustin it out on his dervish

The camera loves him.

AndrewBirchmen, Rain, Pavedwave, and JB (I think?) pumping along up front.