AIDS Life Cycle -- first time!

[Resumer]

First of all, I'm thrilled to have found this forum -- I've decided to do the SF to LA AIDS Life Cycle in June. Haven't been on a bike since the 80s (literally) and have been off my workout regimen for a few months. I'm interested in any advice about training, and preparing for the 7-day ride...

Bought a Trek Hybrid (love it!), had the saddle replaced to something a little kinder on the sitbones, have biking shorts and gloves..along with the requisite repair/safety gear. Plan to get a stationary trainer for the rainy weeks that will come in the next coupla months. I live in the wine country of Northern California so I'm fortunate to be in a place that a lot of people need to arrange to come to bike.

Any and all advice welcomed! I've been reading a lot about training and the main message I'm getting is "start slow and don't overdo it" -- good advice cuz I'm excited to get going and need to discipline myself right now -- and then to the opposite later on to make sure I log the miles/hours in the saddle that will be required.

OK..I'm quitting here...thanks in advance for any responses.

[velogirl]

Hi Resumer! Congratulations on deciding to ride in AIDS LifeCycle. You will hear this many times in the coming months -- it is an experience that will change your life if you let it.

I've done a bunch of AIDS Rides as have others on this board. I'm sure you'll get lots of great advice.

I would encourage you to participate in the organized training rides -- you'll find the calendar on the ALC website.

I would also encourage you to participate in the ALC forum -- you'll also find that on the ALC website.

And yes, take it slow and steady. And enjoy the experience!

Lorri
CAR7, CAR8, AAVR2, ALC2

[sarahoc]

Hi Resumer! Congratulations on deciding to ride in AIDS LifeCycle. You will hear this many times in the coming months -- it is an experience that will change your life if you let it.

I've done a bunch of AIDS Rides as have others on this board. I'm sure you'll get lots of great advice.

I would encourage you to participate in the organized training rides -- you'll find the calendar on the ALC website.

I would also encourage you to participate in the ALC forum -- you'll also find that on the ALC website.

And yes, take it slow and steady. And enjoy the experience!

Lorri
CAR7, CAR8, AAVR2, ALC2

I've seen your posts on the AIDS/Lifecycle message board. I recognize the avatar.


I'm gald you are here to give advice. I wish you lived in Southern California!

[velogirl]

I've seen your posts on the AIDS/Lifecycle message board. I recognize the avatar.


I'm gald you are here to give advice. I wish you lived in Southern California!

you're welcome, Sarah!

[Possegal]

very cool and congrats to all of you doing this ride. I was part of the medical crew for the DC AIDs ride many moons ago (don't think they do a ride here anymore though). i will say it was seriously hard work crewing but so rewarding. not sure i could have tackled the riding though, so good on ya to all who do it. can't wait to hear all about it this year!

[Trek420]

very cool and congrats to all of you doing this ride. I was part of the medical crew for the DC AIDs ride many moons ago (don't think they do a ride here anymore though). i will say it was seriously hard work crewing but so rewarding. not sure i could have tackled the riding though, so good on ya to all who do it. can't wait to hear all about it this year!

Thank you for crewing!! It's harder than riding on any ride. And .... yes, Virginia there is a D.C. AIDS ride (I don't know if your name is Virginia, just using the expression)

http://www.foodandfriends.org/faf/ho...?ievent=256135

[sarahoc]

you're welcome, Sarah!

I'm thinking about buying a Specialized Ruby Elite for the ALC ride.

Do you have any other suggestions for bikes I could test for such a long distance?

[velogirl]

I'm thinking about buying a Specialized Ruby Elite for the ALC ride.

Do you have any other suggestions for bikes I could test for such a long distance?

Sarah, what do you ride now? There are lots of valid options for a ride like ALC. I would suggest you first determine your budget, then find a bike shop you really like and ride a bunch of bikes there.

Lorri

[Trek420]

Welcome to TE.

There's lots of multi day tour experience here including ALC'ers and other charity rides. I've participated 5 times: crewed once (that's harder than riding), led training rides, rode ALC 3, 4, & 6.

I've learned a lot here and credit the TE gals wisdom with getting me up and over the ride.

You're in for a wonderful experience and thanks for riding.

Sounds like you're doing well. An indoor trainer, spin classes, ride to work and or errands, lets you stay on track with base miles through the rainy season.

On my ALC seasons I've thought of the Cinderella ride as a "test ride" for ALC. It's a relatively easy early metric that gave me a chance to see how my bike and body and doing. If you do that, and maybe a recovery ride the next day you will do well. Then keep going, add hills and harder workouts, find a red dress and you're there.

Surf on over to the "Getting to know you" thread when you have a chance.

[indigoiis]

Howdy,

What a great endeavor you are embarking upon!

My advice: keep a record of what you are doing - could be book material some day.

Also: enjoy every minute - or, better stated, find joy in what you are doing. Bicycling is truly a wonderful thing. Make it fun and you'll really have a good ride in June.

Indy

[Trek420]

.... need to discipline myself right now -- and then to the opposite later on to make sure I log the miles/hours in the saddle that will be required.

I was thinking, you're a returning rider, first time ALC don't forget to crosstrain. Think of hours training not just miles. Walk, swim, and especially anything that increases range of motion such as Yoga or Pillates (sp?) it all counts.

It's a loooong @ss ride and a lot of repetitive motion. You'll need your non cycling specific muscles almost as much as the bike specific muscles. And bike muscles need a break. Take rest days however when training I take a rest day as a workout but in something that helps my range of motion.

Packing tips here:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6233

Oh, and have fun!!

[Resumer]

I appreciate all of the encouragement...I can already tell I'm joining a community of awesome people..

Lorri: I checked out the ALC Forums as well...and note that you're an avid and helpful contributor there...I'll be on the lookout for more of your wisdom in the days ahead! Do you recommend any particular sources of info on preparing for the ride? I'm relying on the ALC website for now in terms of getting started...following the 5-week startup regimen and wonder if there are other sources you'd suggest I take a look at. Seems like since I'm in Healdsburg we'd have a good chance of ending up on a ride together at some point too..

Trek 420: The Cinderella Ride looks like a great goal to shoot for, training wise. I'm assuming one can join in without being a member of the valley club that sponsors it? (I'm a neophyte to the customs of the cycling world!)

BTW...I use an email sign off that is a variation of the quote you post!

“I awake in the morning,
torn between a desire to save the world,
and a desire to savor the world.
It makes it hard to plan the day.” - E.H. White


I can feel the life change happening already...this is gonna be a GREAT year!

[Trek420]

Trek 420: The Cinderella Ride looks like a great goal to shoot for, training wise. I'm assuming one can join in without being a member of the valley club that sponsors it? (I'm a neophyte to the customs of the cycling world!)

Sorry to keep throwing links to threads atcha but some of these are so information rich that it's the easiest way to get info out.

The Cinderella ride is limited to around 2,000 women riders and it fills fast and I do mean fast. So watch the board and this space:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=20189

For information on registration. It's a fun ride and a good time, good chance for you to get comfortable with getting in and out of rest stops etc. Even if you don't ride come down and join us for dinner the night before.

[RoadRaven]

Welcome to the Forums, Resumer.

It is an awesome group here - I have learned so much since I joined in 2005 - and not all of it just about bikes (though seriously - what else is there? )

So welcome, and enjoy your stay with us

[ACG]

Congratulations and welcome! I registered to do my third Aids Ride on Christmas Day. It is my present to myself. All the advice you need is here on this site! Again Congratulations! You will love every mile of it!