AIDS Life Cycle -- first time!

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Originally Posted by Trek420

Yes, some are :D Are you comfy with downhills or is this a "are we going to get to go "whoopeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!" a lot type of concern? ;)

I think it was on the downhill into Lompoc that I saw a rider who looked experienced stopped by the side o' the road. He just was not doin' it. Too steep, too scarey, we are on the freeway at that point. Some are very steep but most are of the "goes on forever" type.

If your question is the former a couple things. There will be riders screaming down the hill at 50-60 mph. If you're not one of 'em, let them. :cool: Descend your safe speed, find your safe line as far to the right as is safe. Don't hug the curb so tight you end up taking the turn on road spoodge. We don't want to hear about that crash in the after the ride report. ;)

When folks call out "on your left" hold your line. ALC has a lot of cyclists to get down the coast but if everyone does this we'll arrive safely.

I think people concentrated so much on climbing they did not practice descending. The ride starts and ends at sea level so you do both an equal amount ;). Each year I rode we have a couple of crashes on descents. One guy hit a cow :eek: Rider and cow both ok :rolleyes: Also check your equipment, I nearly had a guy wipe out in front of me on the decent after Evil Twins when his front wheel developed a wobble. He pulled off and fixed it but that looked dicey for a bit :rolleyes:

There are steep descents with intersections, fwy on or off ramps etc to deal with. ALC has a fabulous motorcycle crew and they will be there for you. The Lompoc one mentioned above is steep and on freeway shoulder. You'll see your moto crew smiling and waving you past the off ramp, trust them, you are safe and just keep your eyes on the road.

Thank the crew every chance you get and thanks for riding. :)

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Hi Trek,

Thanks for all the tips. I'm not going to be one of the people going downhill 60mph and saying whooopee. I'm a little freaked out about it and there are not a lot of downhills to practice on where I live.

Can you go downhill slow...that sounds like a contradiction...:eek:


What is the downhill like on the first day after the climb? I've heard the climb is a long one.

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Originally Posted by sarahoc

Thanks for all the tips.

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You're welcome. :) Although I trained a lot for ALC I can't say it enough that I would not have been able to do the ride without what I learned here. TE rocks :D

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Originally Posted by sarahoc

I'm a little freaked out about it and there are not a lot of downhills to practice on where I live.

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I'd say if you can't practice descending, practice cornering. That's where I think people flip out :cool: Newer or flatland cyclists feel ok on descents as long as you're just going straight downhill. Then there's a turn and OMG I'm turning AND descending :eek: whadoido? whadoido? crash

I feel MORE confident descending while turning because the inside leg being down kinda weights you, I feel more connected to the road and the universe blah blah :rolleyes:

Even a slight hill, freeway overpass :rolleyes: can be practice. I'd get out and do hill repeats which are also ..... drum roll .... descending repeats. You'll do fine come June.

And (insert evil grin) you'll get lots of practice starting right away on day 1

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Originally Posted by sarahoc

Can you go downhill slow...that sounds like a contradiction...:eek:

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I've learned here that it's important to ride your ride, don't go faster than you can safely go. There are lots of ways to feather off some speed; feathering the brakes (don't slam them), sit up, drag-race parachute on the back of your jacket :p

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Originally Posted by sarahoc

What is the downhill like on the first day after the climb? I've heard the climb is a long one.

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Yep :p We start and end at sea level, climb up .... fly down. :rolleyes:

It's funny but I've always told sponsors who don't ride and want to understand what it's like "it's like skiing to LA, in traffic, on pavement, with 2500 others".

Day 1 there's a descent right before rest stop 2 that riders have let get away from them (too fast) and there have been crashes. Fortunately that route's on Velogirls rides so I was very familiar with it. And right before the lunch stop is an area that's steep, winding and on the coastal highway.

Last year was my 3rd ride but I did badly ... from a cycling standpoint. I was and still am dealing with an injury and I sagged each day. I regret that, and felt something of a failure. Till my niece UK Eliphant on TE said "you've done the ride twice so you've had the experience of completing it, and you are older now after all :p" Sounds like a challenge to me ;)

You could ask her what day 1 was like last year, I believe you'll be doing the same route this year. That climbs a b*tch. Just kick it in a low gear and keep pedaling.

Have a great time and thanks for riding :D

That's Trek...

I'm going to find some hills here...its just not like Northern California down here is South Orange County. I don't mind learning to descend, I just don't think I'll ever be one that "wants" to fly downhill and I don't want other cyclists to get aggitated.

Trek,

I think we're just gonna have to sign you on as an ALC Riding Consultant this year! ;)

Thanks for all your great tips. Keep 'em coming!

-- Mel

I think you'll find other cyclists, faster riders will not get agitated with you as long as you're riding safely.

Frankly I never saw the faster riders. Bikegoddess here? We tented together yet the only time I saw her on the road was when she had a "sunglasses malfunction", stopped to fix it then I saw a blurr when she blew past me. :p

After day 1 you'll naturally fall in with:
riders who get up when you do and ride your pace
riders who get going earlier but ride slower
riders who get up later but ride faster
faster riders who lollygag at rest stops
slow riders who zip in and out of rest stops ....

This is part of the experience of ALC and I bet any multi day tour that swiftly there's this community that appears on the road. Before you know it you'll find your pack and be riding up Quadbuster singing "Aint no Mountain High Enough" with them (and if the gals I rode and sang with are lurking here, hi!)

Have a great ride and .... we want pictures when you return :D

Mel, I tried to sign up as a TRL but
1) slots filled up before I could take the training
2) I'm still dealing with my booboo toe
3) the remodel - can anyone tell me where my bike shoes are? where are my socks? I can't lead rides. I can't find anything. I need to focus on that.
4) consultant? Russ has already written a book.

Happy to impart what wisdom I have.

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Originally Posted by melissam

Trek,

I think we're just gonna have to sign you on as an ALC Riding Consultant this year! ;)

Thanks for all your great tips. Keep 'em coming!

-- Mel

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That's a great idea. :p

Is there money in this promotion or just a fancy title and a business card :p ;) :rolleyes: