Tour de Tucson anyone?

[mandigreene]

Has anyone ever done the tour de tucson? My husband and I are thinking about it, probably the 35 or 50 mile leg...as beginners I'm not sure about 100 miles...is four months enough time for training? Is it a bad idea for a beginner (the ride )?

thanx everyone
mandi

[aka_kim]

I did the 109 mile ride last year. The century route is probably not the best for beginners -- there's a mass start, and a lot of paceline riding for the first 20 or so miles. The shorter options are probably better if you've never done an organized ride, much less a "race" before. The route is pretty flat, many/most streets have traffic control, and there are actually people cheering all along the course -- especially at the finish.

Go for it!

[Dogmama]

I'm going to do it. Several bike clubs in town will have Sunday rides to prepare for it. Check out: http://www.bikegaba.org/

If you're very new (as in, just starting) you'll definitely want to stick with the short routes.

[tmetzger1226]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum! :)

This will be my third year doing El Tour de Tucson... I started in 2002 with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. Now I am an assistant coach for this program, teaching other "newbies" how to train for and ride a century. We take people from beginner to finishing a century ride in less than 4 months, so you should have plenty of time to get ready.

A lot of people say Tucson is flat, but there is actually quite a bit of elevation gain on this ride. It just depends on what you compare it to. It's flat compared to the Tahoe Century in June.

As for all the cheering... that is thanks to Team In Training. It's great motivation. Several thousand TNT participants from all over the US are there to complete their first-ever century ride! All the yelling is great, except when they are 20+ miles out and yell, "you're almost there!"....by then, you want to kill them. hehe.

See you in Tucson!
Tammy

[jobob]

Originally posted by tmetzger1226
Now I am an assistant coach for this program, teaching other "newbies" how to train for and ride a century. That is very cool, Tammy - I really admire people who give back to our sport.
- Jo.

[mandigreene]

Thanx for all your little notes everyone:) I've just bought a new bike!!! Trek 1000...still tweaking it as my hands (palms) are under a lot of pressure (I've tilted the seat back...I guess I need to play with the handlebars) I'm so excited...my husband and I are joining GABA and joining others on a training ride this weekend...I'm gonna do the 35 mile, maybe 66 mile, thought we'd start slowly work up to the century next year! Best wishes to all u riders...I luv ridin (especially during the colorful tucson sunsets :)


mandi