Hope Ride (Indiana)

[indysteel]

@Guilianna, new bike or not, it's arguably worth your time to learn how to fix a flat well before you're in that situation. As your LBS if they'd be willing to do a demo for you and then go home and practice. But at group rides, I'd say it's better off if you get a flat than if you're riding on your own. As people pass you'll, most will ask if you need any help and somebody would likely be able to help you. Still, it's a necessary skill to have regardless of the rides you do.

[Giulianna23]

Thanks for the heads up Indysteel. It is ironic that now I don't know how to do it and I used to when I was a kid. I do have an idea but I dont think I can do it correctly now. But yeah I better start practicing.

Whan about them youtube videos?..

[Kathi]

Print off instructions for changing a flat and carry them with you. It sounds silly but before I was proficient at changing my flats that's what I did.

The terrain on the Hope ride is fairly flat. Because the ride is in 25 mi loops you can decide at the sag stop if you want to continue on.

The last time I did it I rode the century. That was an epic week for me, I had just finished the week of the TRIRI tour, approx 300 miles, then rode the Century on the Hope ride.

[indysteel]

To the best of my knowledge, they periodically change the routes for the Hope Ride, so I don't know that past year's routes should be used as a guide as to how hilly/flat it will be this year. I did the 50 mile route two years ago and there were some hills. Not sure I'd call it hilly, but it wasn't flat.

[Catrin]

To the best of my knowledge, they periodically change the routes for the Hope Ride, so I don't know that past year's routes should be used as a guide as to how hilly/flat it will be this year. I did the 50 mile route two years ago and there were some hills. Not sure I'd call it hilly, but it wasn't flat.

Yes, they do change the route every year, and the short routes do diverge form the longer - at least that has been my experience. There are multiple decision points however at which one can choose a shorter route if desired. I call it "scenic" rather than hilly or flat, and the back roads we were using were in excellent shape - I do remember that. Of course there will likely be a new route this year - or at least one I've not yet seen

I agree that knowing how to change a flat is very important, and it is good to practice from time to time. I've not had a flat yet, and I am in my third season. It will happen eventually and I am dreading that for I am not very fast at it. However, I do know how to do it, and that is what matters. If it does happen on a group ride like this there are usually others around, which is nice. There is a SAG wagon if there are mechanical difficulties and you can't continue.

[Giulianna23]

Registered for the 50 mile category...

I was going to get my new bike by the end of August but because I really want to practice and train for this event I will try my best to get it in by the end of this month or first week of August. I am really concern about "saddle" comfort and want to have time to get use to it or find out if I need a new one and get it before the event.

Now... this will be my very first time ever doing this so I have no clue about it so please excuse my ignorance. I have some questions about if I should go the same day very early or should I just go the day before and spend the night at a nearby hotel?...should I take a friend or family member as company or can I just go by myself?...

I already know I have to re-learn how to fix a flat tire but what about practice?...During the week I am only able to do my 18 mile commute but I have Sat and Sun to practice. How should I practice as far as speed and strength?.. Hills and flats?..is there a time frame to complete the miles?

I would greatly appreciate your advice.

Thank you!

[Catrin]

It will be a lot of fun! I will drive down early that morning but I am not that far away. I think the closest hotel is in Columbus if you choose that route.

If you have a very long drive you might want to consider the motel route so you can be rested - they also have free tent camping at the starting point (a school) if you are inclined. Many people do come on their own, so don't feel you must bring someone if that doesn't work out. I will be registering for the same distance...let's meet up! I would be happy to ride with you, just warning you that I am not very fast

[indysteel]

Registered for the 50 mile category...

I was going to get my new bike by the end of August but because I really want to practice and train for this event I will try my best to get it in by the end of this month or first week of August. I am really concern about "saddle" comfort and want to have time to get use to it or find out if I need a new one and get it before the event.

Now... this will be my very first time ever doing this so I have no clue about it so please excuse my ignorance. I have some questions about if I should go the same day very early or should I just go the day before and spend the night at a nearby hotel?...should I take a friend or family member as company or can I just go by myself?...

I already know I have to re-learn how to fix a flat tire but what about practice?...During the week I am only able to do my 18 mile commute but I have Sat and Sun to practice. How should I practice as far as speed and strength?.. Hills and flats?..is there a time frame to complete the miles?

I would greatly appreciate your advice.

Thank you!

Just keep riding. Gradually up your mileage during your weekend rides if you aren't already comfortably riding 40+ miles. If you can ride hilly terrain (which isn't necessarily easy to do in Indy) then by all means do it; hills always provide better training than the flats IMO.

Hopefully, you'll be able to get comfortably dialed in on your new bike prior to the Hope Ride. The quest for a decent saddle can take a while though so if you're not comfortable on what you have on the day of the ride, either ride a shorter route and/or generously use your chamois cream of choice paired with your best shorts.

This is my only word of caution: The Hope Ride attracts a lot of casual riders and riders who aren't used to riding in groups. You might see people not really following the rules of the road very well, not signaling, passing you without warning, and other types of behaviors that might be dangerous and/or annoying. Here are a few suggestions:

Stay to the right of the road unless you're passing. If you want to pass somebody, look behind you first to make sure nobody else is trying to overtake you (including cars). As you approach someone, announce "on your left" or "passing." Then get to the right again after you pass them. Ride single file unless it's safe to ride two abreast. At the start of a ride, I try not to ride two abreast until the riders thin out. Stay alert to what other riders around you are doing and to other conditions along the route. In other words, ride defensively.

If you're among other riders, announce and signal when you're stopping, slowing down or turning. Announce the presence of cars as necessary (for instance, if you become aware of a car approaching and riders are up ahead of you, yell "car back." Or if you come to a stop sign where you need to turn right, for instance, and there's a car approaching from the left, yell "car left"). Just try to do what you can to help other riders ride safely and hopefully the favor will be returned. That said, I always look both ways at an intersection before proceeding even if someone yells "clear."

If I'm unfamiliar with a route, I take a good look at the cue sheet to identify when I can expect the SAG stops and at what point the route I'm doing breaks off from other routes. I, personally, don't like to linger too long at the SAG stops, but if memory serves, some of the SAGS at the Hope Ride can get kind of crowded. The lines for the porta-potties were long. My strategy for that is to grab some food and then stand in line to go to the bathroom as I eat. I also always carry some of my own food. I've been to event rides where they've run out of food or food that I can tolerate. It's always good to carry your own stash.

I don't remember what the time cut off is at the Hope Ride. The big lunch spot will get picked over pretty well though if you arrive overly late. It sounds like Catrin intends to start the ride early and you're not doing the longer routes, so I doubt you'll run into problems there.

Have fun, ladies! I'll be on my way home from Maine the day of the ride, so I won't be doing it this year.