Do you think I can do a 45-mile ride in a month?

[redrhodie]

Yes, there are lots of turns on this ride! I'm sure they'll have good arrows to follow. This sounds like a well organized event. The ride I did was not, it was just one of those weekend club rides where everyone is welcome, there's no food or SAG, and you get lost. I guess you get what you pay for.

edit, I think the steepest climb is maybe 7%. There are a couple of short and steep, and one long one around mile 30, but nothing is that bad. In fact, the one that looks like a big hill starting at around mile 11 is a long, low grade (not hard). Do you have a triple or a compact double?

[redrhodie]

Also, that 300 ft gain is over a distance of around 10 miles. You don't need to worry.

[gabriellesca]

Okay Red - I'm so not techie enough that I don't even know what that question refers to? LOL!!! Which really isn't good - learning to ride with Team in Training was supposed to teach me all about my bike, how to fix it, etc. but they only taught me how to shift gears and ask for help!

If its how many rings I have on my bike - I know I have three. Its a Trek 1.2 (or something) WSD from 2008. But I ALWAYS ride in my middle ring - never go big or small. On Mad River my coach would always yell back at me when we were descending 'Big Ring Gab' - and I would shift to it - but the truth is - shifting between the rings has never been very fluid and easy and I tend to get intimidated enough on my solo rides that I'm worried about dropping my chain. So I never ever shift out of my middle ring. Which is probably really stupid because I could be more comfortable and gain more speed if I did. I really need to learn to use those other gears - I'm limiting myself to the few on the middle ring.

Lately I've really be getting out of the saddle on hills - and enjoy that - but again, on a long one I just sort of go super slow - like 6mph - and push up it. I should practice more - just not familiar enough with it.

Thanks so much - this has helped ease my mind a bit. Good to know that these climbs aren't that bad. Really its coming down I'm more frightened of since I can alway walk my bike up! Ooops - did I just write that!

THANK YOU THANK YOU! You guys on this board always get me excited to ride!

[redrhodie]

I'm certain you'll be fine. There aren't any scary descents. It's really pretty, too. Much of the route is right by the water.

I think you may need your little ring, though, for one or 2 of the hills, or if it's especially windy. You definitely wouldn't need to walk up anything if you use it.

If you drop your chain when shifting, you may need to have your shifter cable adjusted at the LBS. It might be stretched.

[bcipam]

I have learned this after many years of riding... if I think I can do something, I can do it. Any physical activity is 90% mental. You have done a century - 45 miles is nothing! So you get sore and tired, so what. That's the "fun" of doing an special event ride. I did 70 miles last weekend after not doing more than 30 - 40 one day a week. I was tired, it wasn't easy (especially since that included 4500' of climbing!) but I put my mind to it and just got it done. Sounds like a cool ride - go have fun!

[ny biker]

I have learned this after many years of riding... if I think I can do something, I can do it. Any physical activity is 90% mental.

Word.

[tctrek]

Go for it!