Training for Livestrong -- How?

So here I am, already thinking about doing the Livestrong 40 in Austin.

Gack!

Starting tomorrow I can ride again (after almost a week sidelined by the doc for un-bike-related issues).

My last couple of rides were just over 4 miles, so I have some work to do to make my way up to 40 miles by October, I guess.

Also, how do you find groups to ride in that are open to beginners/slowpokes?

How do you do group rides, anyway?

I need info and help, please!

Thanks!

Also, is 40 miles a ridiculous ride for newbies such as us?

And what's the approximate time it takes to do that kind of ride?

(You notice I'm not silly enough to go for 60 or 100!)

Riding 40 miles by October is certainly an attainable goal. The LAF rides are great. I've done it the last three years. Not knowing where you are in Dallas, I'm not sure I can give you any good info other than to go to your nearest LBS and ask about groups in your area. I know the Richardson location of Bike Mart has a beginner ride on Saturday mornings. You might also try Greater Dallas Bicyclist Association.

It took me close to 3 hours to do this ride last year and that's not that fast, but I can generally always go about that fast. I don't get to ride a lot because I have a kiddo at home, so I tend to stay around a 15 MPH average. What you can do will depend on how much you ride and train, but don't worry about speed. It's more fun to me to be able to go the distance and have fun without worrying about how fast I am doing it.

Just found your other post. Here's the site, in case you haven't found it yet... livestrong.org

Thanks, Steph -- that's what I was thinking, that this sounded like a relaxed ride. But Austin is very hilly. I notice that the claim the routes are all fairly level, but I'm sure there are bound to be some challenges there.

When I read that if you ride the 40 mile you get a meal at one of the rest stops, it just seemed like that would make it more fun, plus build in a nice break.

I've been to the Richardson Bike Mart on Garland Rd. -- I wonder if they have beginner rides. Maybe they do, being so close to the lake. If not, I'll check with the Richardson location.

I never gave it much thought until earlier today when I was reading some sites and it began to sink in that riding in a group is really not the same as riding alone or in pairs. (Duh.)

I hope to get my bike computer on my bike so I can know things like how fast I ride. Right now I have no idea. I know that the idea of riding <i>really</i> fast scares me -- I don't know if I'll get over that or not.