AIDS Life Cycle -- first time!

[Trek420]

Thanks for all the tips.

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

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

I'd say if you can't practice descending, practice cornering. That's where I think people flip out 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 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

Even a slight hill, freeway overpass 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

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

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

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

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

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 " 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

[sarahoc]

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.

[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

[sarahoc]

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

That's a great idea.

[Trek420]

Is there money in this promotion or just a fancy title and a business card

[Trek420]

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.

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

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.