Alc 2009

[uk elephant]

Problem is, I would need the bike shop to install it all for me as I don't have the tools, skills or facilities for such things. And I don't think they are very happy about installing parts that I buy cheap somewhere else.

[ClockworkOrange]

Hey, a young girl like you, just try flattering your eyelids and ask nicely if they could do a deal with you, as you already have the parts, nothing to lose have you?

Or explain your budget and just be honest, if you got the parts, would they be prepared to fit them................and that you will bake them a special cake for St David's Day celebrated in Wales on 1 March!

Clock in helpful mode

[Duck on Wheels]

Yay!! I made my donations minimum! UKE has worked so hard selling knitting and baked goods. I was just plain working hard (as in overtime) and couldn't find the time for that kind of fundraising. So I decided to donate my moonlighting incomes (search committees, select committees, paid lectures). Today I added up my moonlighting money since Xmas, and it put me over the minimum goal. Even had a little left over that I put into UKE's kitty. Now UKE just needs $775 more and we can pre-book our tent assignment

And now off to the gym to train. My guts have been giving me trouble lately and I've missed several days of spin classes, not to mention the ones I missed, and will miss again next week, due to travelling. Better get to the gym today while my guts are behaving better. UKE, meanwhile, has bare roads -- with HILLS -- and is getting quite a workout just biking to work and back.

[Trek420]

Now UKE just needs $775 more and we can pre-book our tent assignment

Congratulations! You won't need to pre-book the tent assignments.

Just show up at that last booth on day 0 together.

Since you've met your pledge goal you skip the pledge area. By then you'll have sent proof of medical insurance (and no, just saying "hey, I'm Norwegian, she's living in Wales we all have insurance. You should try this sometime" won't do it) you'll skip medical booth.

You should get a form in the mail soon or already have that you mail in and skip that stop. If not, check with your rider rep. Is Russ your rider rep?

I'll think of some Day 0 tips and others may chime in too. Snap knows a lot, she volunteers at tent registration.

The last thing is the safety video, you have to see that before they'll give you tent assignment. If the 3 TE riders we have so far want to tent near each other you should coordinate that.

[uk elephant]

Thank you mom!
I've been struggling to find time for more fundraising with the moving house and new job taking up too much time. But Hopefully things will start to settle down soon. I'm aiming for a big push with more bake sales and letters in April when I have a pause from lecturing for a few weeks.

As for the training, I'm a bit behind with the moving, but now that we are settled I can get back to cycling to work and doing my cross training and extra rides. I will at least get plenty of hill training around here.

[Duck on Wheels]

[QUOTE=Trek420;409542]Congratulations! You won't need to pre-book the tent assignments.

Just show up at that last booth on day 0 together.
QUOTE]

This year they're offering pre-assignment via Internet, starting in a couple of weeks and lasting until mid-May and on the condition that you've met your fund-raising minimum and sent in your medical waiver form. The incentive there is that it saves you one more line on Day 0. Having seen those lines when I was a Day 0 volunteer, I'd be very happy to have one less line to stand in. That much quicker out to dinner and the hotel, that much more sleep time (or lie in bed nervously sleepless time ) before 4am next day.

[uk elephant]

one step closer...I filled in my medical form...now I just need to get fit and healthy again and get back into shape and find the last few donations to reach my goal and there is only a few weeks left!! panic!!!

But I had a read through the route description on the alc web-site and got very excited to get out there and see it all! It is a beautiful ride, despite the hard work.

[uk elephant]

Want a breakdown by day? OK!

Day 1: Cow Palace to Santa Cruz
- 81.67 miles, 5378 feet elevation gain
Day 2: Santa Cruz to King City
- 106.18 miles, 3976 feet elevation gain
Day 3: King City to Paso Robles
- 65.40 miles, 2545 feet elevation gain* (Garmin wasn't fully charged that day)
Day 4: Paso Robles to Santa Maria
- 98.03 miles, 4391 feet elevation gain
Day 5: Santa Maria to Lompoc (Red Dress Day)
- 43.17 miles, 2227 feet elevation gain
Day 6: Lompoc to Ventura
- 86.90 miles, 3838 feet elevation gain
Day 7: Ventura to Los Angeles
- 61.60 miles, 2047 feet elevation gain

Just realized by looking back at these stats that I did more feet of elevation gain yesterday on my 50 mile flat bike ride here in Wales than on most of the days of ALC except day 1 and possibly day 3 with quadbuster. Now I don't feel quite as worried. My 50 mile flat ride yesterday clocked in with 4800ft climbing according to my garmin. My legs are definitely feeling it today, but I did manage to cycle up the hill to work this morning (with the help of a 20mph tailwind).

Aside from the minimal training, I have now reached my fundraising goal got my tent assignment sorted. Getting excited for the trip!

[ACG]

Does anyone remember what time we can leave in the morning? Is it 6:30 a.m. or 7:00 a.m.?

I don't remember.

Thanks!!!

[uk elephant]

It's 6:30 as far as I recall....I think that is what I need to practice now, besides the riding. I'm not a morning person and do not function well before the sun is up...

[Trek420]

Yikes! It's almost Day 0. I need to ask Mariko if there are volunteer slots available. Is there any chance the 3 of you will tent near each other? It could make it easier for me to get news from the ride. That is if you want me to post updates to TE

Duck and UK, see you on the 24th. Will either of you be taking your bikes in for a check up before the ride?

[Duck on Wheels]

Yes, UK and I will both be taking our trusty steeds to the bike spa for a check-up. Probably delivering them there on our way to the party on the 24th. And yes, Mariko was looking for Day 0 volunteers. And yes, UK and I are tenting together, so at least 2 of the 3 will be in one another's vicinity on the tent grid. And now to start packing. How will I get 7 days of bike gear + a little extra for 2 more weeks' vacation + sleeping bag and insulation mat all into one suitcase?

[Trek420]

And now to start packing. How will I get 7 days of bike gear + a little extra for 2 more weeks' vacation + sleeping bag and insulation mat all into one suitcase?

Here's one with some good tips

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=24025

[Duck on Wheels]

Here's one with some good tips

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=24025

For possibly the first time in TE history: Not helpful. I don't need tips on lists or trash bags or zip locks. I've got all the lists I need from the ALC site, and as for bags ... if I have room for them, I've got them too. What I need is a bigger suitcase. The sleep mat takes up half the space. The sleeping bags takes half of what's left. I'd better get to town and look for a big rolling duffle.

[uk elephant]

About the packing issues....here's what I found last time around:

1. Cutting down on number of items: Very little is needed in terms of non-cycle clothing for on the ride. After the day's riding, I would shower, put on my pj's (alc flannel pants and t-shirt) and a sweatshirt (alc fleece bought in camp) for the evening and it was the same pj outfit for the whole week. So never used any "normal" clothes for the week. Also, the cycling-related clothes that take up more room are of course the larger items for cooler weather. I only brought one set and used it all week (long-sleeved jearsey and wind-breaker jacket and leg-warmers for those chilly mornings). That only leaves a few "normal" clothes for the days before/after the ride. And for that, I will be very spartan in my packing. There will be no outfits for "just in case I need to dress up" for instance or "just in case we find time for...". Which mainly means, I will not be bringing lots of different pairs of shoes. it will be cycling shoes and trainers, no hiking shoes just in case or dress shoes just in case. And I will plan on being able to do laundry during that week in Sonoma which cuts down on the number of changes of clothes needed.

2. Making room: I found it easier to fit the sleeping bag when it wasn't stuffed into the sleeping bag stuff sack. Instead, I used the mesh pocket in the lid of the suitcase and folded the sleeping bag flat in there. took a little stuffing and cursing, but worked. Seems counter-intuitive perhaps, but it made better uses of the space. A round stuffed sleeping bag, even well compressed in the compression sack just made for too many underutilized crevices and made it hard to pack everything else well.

3. When there is still not enough room: I didn't need to, but I did see some people had their sleeping bag and/or mattress pad strapped to the outside of their duffel bags (using strong baggage straps, not bungy cords of course).