Training tips or links?

[Jenerator]

Indysteel is right. The best way to get ready to ride your bike is to ride your bike.

Even though RAGBRAI doesn't have any century days, using a generic Century training plan would be a good way to ensure you are comfortable on the bike and at the end of each day and the whole ride. Build up progressively, generally 10% a week. It's especially important to do like Indysteel suggests and get in back-to-back long rides so your body is used to riding long and getting up the next day and doing it again.

[Pax]

... Finally, if you're not used to riding in a group, then you might want to work on your group riding skills. What kind of a "team" does your friend belond to and what are their expectations, especially in terms of speed? You might ask your friend or her teammates how they train.

I'm good in groups and I know hers is pretty informal, sometimes they ride together and other times they just mosey along on their own. The group is all mid 40's to 60 years old so they mostly have a good time without a lot of pressure.

I'm avoiding talking to her about her training because I want to have an out if I decide I'm too lame to ride it.

Indysteel is right. The best way to get ready to ride your bike is to ride your bike.

Even though RAGBRAI doesn't have any century days, using a generic Century training plan would be a good way to ensure you are comfortable on the bike and at the end of each day and the whole ride. Build up progressively, generally 10% a week. It's especially important to do like Indysteel suggests and get in back-to-back long rides so your body is used to riding long and getting up the next day and doing it again.

Thanks, I need to start riding more and Fall is the best possible riding season here in IL.

[Pax]

I googled training tips...lots of them had price tags attached. Guess I'll look at the freebies and do more reading here to come up with a plan that'll work. I don't mind paying for training but I'd like to make sure I'm going to do it first.

[salsabike]

Pax, here is a link to a Seattle to Portland training plan, courtesy of Cycle U and Cascade Bicycle Club.

http://www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/stp_mileage.cfm

[SadieKate]

Sign up for the free newsletter from RoadBikeRider. It's just tidbits and factoids that will help over the long run.

http://www.roadbikerider.com/index.htm

[Pax]

Pax, here is a link to a Seattle to Portland training plan, courtesy of Cycle U and Cascade Bicycle Club.

http://www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/stp_mileage.cfm

Sign up for the free newsletter from RoadBikeRider. It's just tidbits and factoids that will help over the long run.

http://www.roadbikerider.com/index.htm

Ooh, thank you both! It's so weird, if I wanted to train to swim the Channel I'd know exactly what to do...training to cycle is very different.