AIDS Life Cycle -- first time!

[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

[Trek420]

You do a surprising amount of walking on ALC. Camp is big and there can be a hike from bike parking to the luggage area where your sneakers are. and then back again in the morning.

Rest and lunch stops are pretty big too. I've used MTB style shoes for this reason. Some of them are almost as stiff as road shoes, just a bit more room in the toe. But use what you feel more comfortable in.

[velogirl]

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

I personally recommend a good mountain bike shoe for multi-day tours like ALC (and for the training that leads up to the event). You will walk a lot. And not only will you destroy road shoes, but you'll find it's easier to walk (ie the recessed cleat will not affect your posture when walking).

Most shoe manufacturers make identical road and mtn shoes -- built on the same last but with different soles.

[Trek420]

(and for the training that leads up to the event).

What she said. Train in what you'll ride in, ride in what you trained in. We want to hear the test drive reports and how your training's going.

[MM_QFC!]

I personally recommend a good mountain bike shoe for multi-day tours like ALC (and for the training that leads up to the event). You will walk a lot. And not only will you destroy road shoes, but you'll find it's easier to walk (ie the recessed cleat will not affect your posture when walking).

Most shoe manufacturers make identical road and mtn shoes -- built on the same last but with different soles.

I agree, as I always say: I like to be able to comfortably walk into the bakeries and bars, pre/post rides!