RAIN Ride 2010 (Questions) This is long, sorry!!

[susan.wells]

Finally, RAIN is partly a function of the weather--which you have no control over. If you're lucky, you'll have a tailwind and/or it won't be too hot. If it is really hot or you have to deal with a headwind or crosswind, the ride will likely be a lot harder. Mr. Silver and I are lucky in that we enjoyed some decent weather the years we've done RAIN. In 2006, the weather was horrible (95 degrees plus humidity). A lot of people dropped out of the ride because they couldn't handle the heat. I've always said that I would play the ride by ear if the weather was less than decent. I would suggest the same thing. IMO, it's just not worth it.

+1 This is so true!

[Mr. Bloom]

Mr. Silver-- I'm glad you have such faith in me already. I live in Madison, IN. but work in Columbus, IN. My husband will ride with me to a point, but at about mile 20, he's pretty much over it.

Similarly, I live in Evansville AND Bloomington. On the other hand, Silver can ride circles around me... You need to PM makbike - I bet she can give you some good routes across the river in KY.

Susan, in addition, would you say it's important to not plan your flight schedule back to Indiana on the same day you need to drive down to RAIN???

OK, headcount - WHO's IN FOR THE HILLY HUNDRED?????

[HoosierGiant]

OK, headcount - WHO's IN FOR THE HILLY HUNDRED?????

Well, forgive the hijack, but I'm in! It will be my first attempt at the Hilly, but we've been training on hills in Metamora, Laurel/Orange, and Batesville/Oldenburg, so hopefully I can eek out a finish. Never thought I'd see the day when I'd choose to ride hills...

[makbike]

As others have said ride your bike and give yourself a solid base. The year I rode RaIN I made it a point to ride numerous centuries prior to July. I rode several back to back centuries. I rode and rode and rode some more. Some may say I over prepared but I felt great on the ride. My body handled it well and I felt absolutely wonderful at the end.

I made it a point to drink every five minutes or so. I alternated between water and Gatorade (I like it and it works for me). I also used Shotbloks about every 30 miles or so.

For me, finding a comfortable cadence was the key. Once I settled in and found it it simply became another day on the bike - one I enjoyed tremendously.

Go for it. Find a group to ride with and work together for it will make a difference in your day. Don't think of it as a 158 mile ride but break it down into smaller segments (SAG to SAG). Don't linger too long at the stops - get what you need and get back on the road - too much time off the bike can be hard on the body.

With the cold weather months lingering ahead think about getting a trainer so you can still ride on a daily basis. Time on the trainer will put you ahead of the game once the warm weather returns in the spring.

Hope this helps. Be safe and have fun.

[susan.wells]

Susan, in addition, would you say it's important to not plan your flight schedule back to Indiana on the same day you need to drive down to RAIN???

OK, headcount - WHO's IN FOR THE HILLY HUNDRED?????

You are correct Mr. Silver! Once again, and planning more conservatively, I will not be able to do Hilly due to travel. Maybe 2010 will be the year!

[Miranda]

OK, headcount - WHO's IN FOR THE HILLY HUNDRED?????

...I will not be able to do Hilly due to travel. Maybe 2010 will be the year!

Ghee, 2010 could just be a big party then. I had just paid my $ for Hilly 100 and one other event prior to that before my crash. Getting my MRI next week and the doc will decide if my separated acl will heal without surgery or not. He'd let me pedal the bici stationary now, but no outside steering. I don't see me being together by Hilly. You'll have to take me on the ride in spirit. Climb one hill for the MIA TE team.

[WindingRoad]

I did my first RAIN ride this year which was a historically cool day but nontheless I did do it. I only got up to 100 miles about a week or so before the ride. That was my first century and then I did the 160 about a week or two later so I know you can tackle this thing. If you are stable on rollers you are probably a lot stronger rider than you know. Rollers kick my butt! I think you have this thing beat already.

As others have said the trickiest thing is figuring out how, what, when to eat and drink. You can't really find definitive guidelines because it's all so subjective from one person to the next. My advice is just start playing with different combinations now to see how your tummy feels or how you feel energywise while you are riding. OK here's another thing, I'm doing the Hilly and I have NOT trained . I just take it easy, the ride is way too much fun to miss! It's not competitive its all about the fun. I have a granny gear and I'm not afraid to use it!

I guess I'm assuming you are riding clipped in? If not, try getting some inexpensive clip in pedals and shoes (mountain bike style are nice so you can walk around easily, those are called SPD style). Being clipped in really helps me with stamina on a long ride like RAIN.

I hope that helps a bit and would LOVE to see you come down to the Hilly!!!

[Mr. Bloom]

I popped a Shot Blok every 20 minutes as a reminder to drink. I took 3 Excedrin at the start and 3 halfway through (that's WITH caffeine).

[Mr. Bloom]

And note these stats that I compiled after last year's ride. Age doesn't matter either...

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=25577

[jessica47201]

Hey thanks eveyone for the great information. You guys are so motivating me and you actually have me thinking and believing that I can do this next year. I tried out the Vanilla Clif Shot. I wasn't really crazy about the actual flavor, but it didn't give me any heartburn!!! Yeah, for me!! Looking forward to trying out the others!!!