LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

davidlampp · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Atlanta, Ga USA

Sorry that this is being posted rather late. The 2009 Athens to Atlanta, Georgia, USA, will be held on Sunday 11 October 2009. There will be: 38,
52, and 87 mile courses. The 10K will not be offered this year. Contrary to some rumors, the organizers had a meeting recently concerning the lack of coporate sponsorships and low number of skaters registering for the event. They decided the event will be held regardless of the number of participants, which at this time stands at 79. Some of the services offered by the event may be dependent on the number of skaters participating, but at this time there will be a Friday Night bus and a Sunday bus as well. For more information go to:

www.a2a.net

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5913

Apart from this being British Champs weekend. I strongly urge people not helping or racing to consider this event. It is the friendliest endurance skate race you can possibly imagine. Support it now before it disappears in its current format and make some contribution to its continued existance.

benw · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 106

Checking with Stef, we are both very tempted, might go for the 87 miles. Who else going this year?

ps will be a good one to cure the sore from Berlin and Koln Razz

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5913

Naomi G is going.

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5913

Naomi G is going. Take it easy in Cologne because you need to be fully recovered to the the A2A 87. It is not flat...anywhere. Nothing major just almost constant undulations. Pleasant scenery, really nice friednly people to skate with and a constant battle again dehydration as it is hot. The locals don't rate the heat but coming from here I have a tendency to disagree. Recommend staying in Athens not Atlanta. The briefing is there, the day before and afterward we had an escorted street skate along the first few miles of the course last year.

Surfaces are generally fine though they are more variable when you reach Atlanta. You won't care by then though as you'll be feeling that sense of pending achievement that will get you through anything.

Check with the people on your line as to who is doing the 87 and who is going to stop after the first 38 as my 10 person line became 3 people at the 38 mile end point and shortly after disintegrated. Don't be afraid to take long stops to rehydrate and if you run out of liquid in your bottle you can pullin to any gas station and gulp down some Gatorade. I'll give you my tips for survival later on.

benw · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 106

And so I've decided to finish this racing season with a big bang, I'm now on A2A, registered for the full 87 miles. Think it's time to take my old Salomon Pilot 5x84 out of retirement for one more run. Stef chose to go for Cologne this year instead, smart.

Tentative plan, arrive Atlanta Thursday, do the Friday Night Skate, take their night bus to Athens. Stay in Athens until race on Sunday. Throw bags into the baggage truck, finish and stay at Atlanta Sunday night. Return to London on late Monday... For preparing that little bit between Athens and Atlanta, I will be picking apart Rick's notes and brain..

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5913

Looks like you might have George for company.

george · Joined: 08 Jan 2008 Posts: 611 Location: Les Marais, Paris

i have decided to do this race as well this year, after a couple of strong recommendations!

Ben I will get in contact with you!

Bring on A to A!

benw · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 106

Had a good chat with Rick today..

Update on my plan:
- Thurs pm - arrive Atlanta (night in Atlanta)
- Fri evening - Atlanta friday night skate (Atlanta)
- Sat am - rent car, drive to Athens (Athens)
- Sun - A2A, evening bus back to Athens (Athens)
- Mon am - drive to ATL, flight leaving pm.

George, let me know your plan.

Very Happy

george · Joined: 08 Jan 2008 Posts: 611 Location: Les Marais, Paris

hey guys - tried to post on your facebook group but couldnt get there anymore.
because i had a couple of other things come up, i am not going to do the race this year now.

Wish you best of luck for the 87 miles!!

Very Happy

benw · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 106

Less than 48 hours to flight... The old Salomon Pilot 5x84 is finally dusted, re-assembled and duct-taped up (thanks Rick for the suggestion), and should be good for a few hours of skating. Hopefully weather improves tomorrow so i can tweak it before leaving. Forecast is suggesting chances of thunderstorms at Atlanta in the weekend.. not unexpected.

Assuming fair weather, I am going to to push for a 6 hours finish, that's about <1:40 26 miles marathon pace, doable with some breaks. Hopefully will find a pace line to help out.. I will see if the long winter trainings, Le Mans and 5 marathons this year have done me any good in preparing for this Razz

Final travel plan: Arrive Thursday at Atlanta. Bus to Athens Saturday morning, staying at the Holiday Inn through Monday. Bus back to ATL for the afternoon flight back to London.

maxx · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 97 Location: Camden

Good Luck!

AlastairJ · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 10:37 pm Subject:

good luck, 87 mile heros!

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5913

They'll be 89 mile heroes this year, apparently.

ed! · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:19 am Subject:

Best of luck everyone.