liksani "Man.. I keep debating if I should do it or not, but the training and fundraising scare me. :P The training scares me since well it seems like a lot of time and I only just recently got a bike again. I'm also coming off of just spending the last 3 months training for a marathon. :P Tho I think the fundraising scares me even more... blaaah I keep debating back and forth"

do it. If it's something you feel you need to do, do it.

three time ALC'er chimeing in (well 2 rides, crewed once, crewing is harder than rideing, I've decided just to count it from now on). I may lead training rides so you may see me out there, well probably sweep training rides...I'm looking to ALC6 but thinking about the Top Hat, other rides this year. Body and mind needs a break.

fund raiseing, yep, it's hard. But you start now, keep at it, let everyone you know that you're rideing and it just falls into place. I think somewhere around here I and others have posted tips.

training. as a "single parent of a dog" it was hard to get the really long training rides in, but I'd say I trained hard and efficiently thanks to a lot of help from the TE gals here.

I wasn't the fastest thing on two wheels but rode all but 10 miles of it this year and felt great doin' it.

As a crew member I know that most do not complete every mile of the 585 mile ride, waaaaay far from it.

I remember one fine morning getting outa camp, takeing the tent down with Bikegoddess (TE gal) and overhearing our neighbor saying something like "my goal each day is to make it to the first rest stop" then she was ok with sagging in.

No dissrespect to that, the first rest stop was probably further than she'd ridden before (and if you're lurking here and recognise this, good job of knowing your limits! Keep at it) but if you should train *much harder* than the actual ride, and you can make the time for that, pay attention to your equipment, comfort, nutrition you can do this thing.

Then on the ride itself treat the ride like a looong recovery ride and take care of yourself. You may feel you've done the hardest work, the miles and hills, fundraising and raiseing awareness put your costume on and ride. It really is a remarkable experience.