Can I Do The XXX Mile Route?
We have 6 different route lengths to choose from. Which route(s) can you do? Which route is “best” for you?
These questions are best answered by understanding your riding level and start time and then comparing against the course lengths and the course support times.
The chart below shows the open and close times for the 1 (and only) rest stop location (Harter Middle School) along with the opening and closing of the ride registration. It also shows the estimated times for each route based on a 3 different average speeds (pace). The chart uses a Rest Stop time of 15 minutes and then shows the estimated completion time based on your pace. Note that some of the longer routes are not possible due to the Rest Stop and the routes being closed.
We strive to be good ambassadors for the cycling community and run a well-organized event. Therefore we ask that you adhere to the course open (6:30 am) and close times (4:00 pm). The chart also shows options for various start times.
Let’s start with a couple of examples at the extremes of the possible options.
132 Miles (The Double Metric Plus)
This is the longest route meant for the seasoned cyclist and the “Big Dogs”. You know who you are! Start times and a good pace are important for this ride. Plan on starting early to give yourself a buffer. Pre-registration is highly recommended!
12 Miles
This is a great ride for casual or younger riders. At a casual pace of 10 mph, you have plenty of time and can start as late as 9:15am. With that in mind, if you want to start really early; we suggest your earliest start time be 6:45am. That way the fast, long distance riders will be on the course ahead of you.
If your pace doesn’t exactly match one of the examples; just be conservative and pick the closest example and add or subtract time. Remember that weather, longer rest stops, and unexpected mechanicals (a flat) will lengthen your time.
Real World Example
You want to do the Swedish Day ride with a friend. You have done 100 mile rides in the past; but your friend has fewer miles under their belt and you both agree the 72 mile “metric century plus” (~116 km) makes sense. You conservatively estimate you can average a 14 mph riding together. You have a 30-minute car drive to the event and you do not want to start super early. Conversely, you have an engagement that night and want to be home with a little buffer in between.
Looking at the matrix for the 72-mile route, we focus on the 15 mph information since it is closest to your 14 mph pace estimate. The matrix indicates that you could start any time between 6:30am to 9:15am and still complete the ride before the course closes. You target the 7:30am start time as being a good compromise. The matrix indicates you will be finished at about 1:15pm. Knowing that you are targeting a slightly slower pace than 15 mph; you can add a little extra time. (For this example, the difference between a 15 mph pace and a 14 mph pace for 72 miles is ~20 minutes.)
For the same example, let’s look at a worst case scenario. Say you had a flat to fix on the course AND it was a windy day that slowed you down AND you met a friend at a rest stop and stayed longer to talk. We can look at the 10 mph pace with the same 7:30am start time and see that you can still finish the course before it closes with an estimated completion time of ~3:45pm. Not the same amount of time before your evening engagement; but you still have a buffer.
Use the matrix as a reference tool and pick a route and start time that matches your ability and goals.
Have a great ride!