Big Dam Bridge

[Hub]

Yes. I mean the kind of dam that holds water. Arkansas is about to open the world's largest pedestrian and cyle- oops I mean cycle and pedestrian bridge.
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=94919
Does anyone else plan to ride? My BBB( Beloved Big Brother) has already bought tickets for me and him to ride. They offer a 12, 20, 50 and 100 mile course. He's fully capable of doing the century. I'm such a beginner - I have a hybrid and usually about 30-45 minutes 3-5 mornings per week.- In one of the flattest places on earth- Little Rock has hills Real Hills I'm shooting for the 20 mile ride- if I'm giddy and my brother taunts me into it, maybe the 50. I need y'alls help to get ready. Heck, I haven't even ordered my proper bike shorts yet! I'm a big girl, but I think I found a kit that will fit.
I need y'all to tell me what I need to know! I've never ridden with a pack before this. There's a reason I like to ride in the dark at 5:30 in the morning- no spectators I'll take my Giant Sedona, but probably ride one of his bikes- (he has 3 spares to choose from- an Orbea, a Trek X/0 and a madone) he' rides about the same size as me 54-56/L - I'll probably choose the X/0 for wider tires- plus it's the one I covet the most ( even though the madone is so yummy).
I don't have cycling shoes! I do have a wonderful pair of Bass Clogs with big lug soles that are great for my flat pedals. I'm a novice and not ashamed of it- but I don't want to look or act STOOPID.
One final caveat- the ride is in Little Rock- I live in Cleveland, Mississippi & will have to get up and drive 3 hours to get there-- by 7 AM

[Bad JuJu]

Wow, Hub--sounds exciting! Your first big ride!

I'm no expert, but I've done a few of these rides before, and here's my take: Have plenty of water and some kind of sports drink with you, plus some snacks that you like, but also take advantage of ALL food and drink stops.
Ride your own pace, or maybe just a tiny bit faster. Don't get caught up in the excitement of the group start and try to keep up with the speedsters at the front--you'll just wear yourself out. Set a pace that you know you can stick with. The adrenalin starts pumping in a ride like this, and it might get you through the 50 miles, but not if you trounce yourself at the beginning.
I'd say ride the bike you've been used to riding. They say never to test out any new equipment the very day of a big ride, and I think that warning includes trying out unfamiliar bikes.
I'd also say, if you have time, try using some old-fashioned toeclips. I use them and love them. Might make the big switch to clipless in a month or two, but toeclips have their advantages. Either way--toeclips or clipless--they help you to spin, which will help you get up those hills without killing your knees or your endurance, rather than trying to push big gears and hurting yourself.
Carry a spare tube, patch kit, and equipment to change a flat--maybe BBB can help with that.
Maybe some more experienced riders will chime in.
Whatever you do, HAVE FUN!

[SunnyHazel]

You go, Hub! I live in North Little Rock and I see the Big Dam Bridge every day crossing the river to and from work in Little Rock. I've ridden to it on the River Trail on the North side of the river several times and it is so cool. My husband is totally psyched to ride over that thing (but he's not going to make the Big Dam Bridge Ride in October). I keep pointing out the incline, and he keeps pointing out the decline on the other side! Zoom Zoom! Of course, I've only been riding a couple of months, and only a few miles each day. Maybe someday I'll cross it. Doesn't help any that it's over all that water and I'm terrified of water!

Should be a beautiful ride. Hope you'll post about the adventure!

[Tuckervill]

Maybe--I haven't been on my bike since I got back from New Mexico last Tuesday. But I've been walking the dog for an hour every day.

My husband and I and our 12 yo son are riding it together, although I think dh might end up doing the 12, as he doesn't get to ride very much. I was looking at the website www.bigdambridge.com. There are elevation maps, etc. The highest part is on the bridge itself. I've ridden up and down the river on both sides and it's not too hilly. (I've also been to Cleveland, MS, and Little Rock's not that flat, either!) But the route is relatively flat.

I wouldn't go for the 50 if you've only been riding a short time. You will regret it. Go for the 20 and if you have to, do the 12. And take the bike with the skinny tires. Less rolling resistance!

By the way, we'll all be on mountan bikes with platform pedals. There will be all manner of bikes on the 12 and 20 mile routes, I'm sure. I'm really grateful that the bridge is a mile or two away from the start, so my knees will be warmed up by then.

Have you read anything about what the grade of the bridge is? I'd like to know. I have a 17% grade hill by my house that I only climb if I have to. (It's really short.) If the bridge approaches that (looks like it might), I want to know if I'll need more warm-up.

You know what my son says when we climb? "Climb for the prize, Mom!" The prize, of course, is the wonderful descent on the other side!

We also have a 3-hour drive from NW AR, so we're coming the night before and staying at the in-laws. I was thinking about wearing my Jenny Ewing Memorial t-shirt instead of a jersey. Maybe there will be others.

Karen

[Tuckervill]

I just got to thinking...if you only do the 20, there's only one rest stop. It's after the out-and-back before you cross the river. But, it won't be hot so a bottle in your cage and a refill and something to eat at the rest stop will do ya. We will be taking our Camelbaks, I imagine, but will have bottles in the cages since DH doesn't have a Camelbak.

Yes, look for me in my pink Jenny shirt. I'll be with a really tall guy (REALLY tall) perched on top of a Raliegh hybrid, and a kid on a yellow Trek 4300. My bike's blue. You can ride with us after your bro leaves you behind.

Karen

[Aggie_Ama]

I wanted to do this, but DH is not recovered enough from his hospital stay early this month. I wouldn't go for the 50 if you haven't been riding long or much. My first organized ride was 50, but it was flat and I was in the best shape of my life from running 5+ miles often. The 20 miles sounds like a good challenge if you usually ride 30-45 minutes on a hybrid and it will give you a good experience of the ride.

Everyone has given you wonderful advice. Here's mine:

1. Have fun!
2. Ride at the pace YOU feel comfortable at.
3. Stop for breaks if you get tired. And enjoy at least one rest stop, it is one of the unique things about an organized ride.
4. Take your own water and snacks. They will probably have plenty, but you don't want to rely on the rest stop.
5. HAVE FUN! And come back to tell us about it.