AIDS Life Cycle -- first time!

[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!

[Trek420]

Welcome to TE and more important thanks for riding. Are we going to have a TE team again?

The 3 (so far) of you will have a great ride I'm sure.

[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!

[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?

[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]

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

Are you doing the AIDS Lifecycle ride?

[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

[sarahoc]

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

I don't ride anything now.....

I've been looking at the Specialized and its in my budget.

Would you recommend a compact or triple for the AIDS Lifecycycle route?

[velogirl]

I don't ride anything now.....

I've been looking at the Specialized and its in my budget.

Would you recommend a compact or triple for the AIDS Lifecycycle route?

Don't limit yourself just to the Specialized. Every major bike manufacturer will have a similar bike in the same price range. Try as may as you can!

If you don't ride at all, I would definitely recommend a triple.

Lorri

[Trek420]

What bikes have you tried so far? What did you like/dislike about them?

Consider some of the "smaller" brands; Kona, LeMond, Marin, Jamis oh the mind boggles, so many bikes, so little time ;-)

+1 on the triple.

My namesake a Trek 420 was stolen right before I registered for my first ALC. I had to replace the bike, went full custom. But you don't need to, you do need a bike that fits you.

I may ride again in '09 and am considering a Surly LHT or their cross bike for what would be my 6th ride.

[sarahoc]

What bikes have you tried so far? What did you like/dislike about them?

Consider some of the "smaller" brands; Kona, LeMond, Marin, Jamis oh the mind boggles, so many bikes, so little time ;-)

+1 on the triple.

My namesake a Trek 420 was stolen right before I registered for my first ALC. I had to replace the bike, went full custom. But you don't need to, you do need a bike that fits you.

I may ride again in '09 and am considering a Surly LHT or their cross bike for what would be my 6th ride.

Wow....5 rides...good for you.

[sarahoc]

Don't limit yourself just to the Specialized. Every major bike manufacturer will have a similar bike in the same price range. Try as may as you can!

If you don't ride at all, I would definitely recommend a triple.

Lorri

I've look at Specialized and Caonnodale (forgot which one off the top of my head)...and then I flipped flopped back and forth between a road bike and a hybrid of some sort.

It's hard to test out bikes when you haven't ridden in so long...don't really know what to feel for. But the Specialized is comfortable.

[Trek420]

Comfortable is good Are you going to keep trying different bikes and maybe go back to that one.? You may find a bike that just says "ride me to L.A.!" or you may find the Specialized is the one you want.

2 of the 5 rides I participated in I crewed. At first I did not "count" them but decided since crewing is harder, it counts.

[sarahoc]

Comfortable is good Are you going to keep trying different bikes and maybe go back to that one.? You may find a bike that just says "ride me to L.A.!" or you may find the Specialized is the one you want.

2 of the 5 rides I participated in I crewed. At first I did not "count" them but decided since crewing is harder, it counts.

I plan to try and look this week and decide....I have to start training...yikes


Just out of curiosity, do people like road bike shoes or mountain bike shoes on the ALC ride? I've heard mountain bike shoes are a little easier to walk around in.


Thanks for all the advice