Shameless Begging

[HoosierGiant]

Okay, I read these forums for a year before I got up the courage to actually join because everyone else seems like a "real" cyclist, and I'm just... well... not so "real". Anyway, you're all incredibly good at cheering each other on and encouraging one another -- a big, strong sisterhood (with a nod to the males, also) of warm fuzziness, so to speak.

So, now that I've made it official and registered for RAIN 2007 (one-day, one-way, 160-mile ride across Indiana), and now that I'm doubting my sanity, and now that the voice in my head is starting to whisper (okay, more like scream) all those niggling, doubtful comments... any words of encouragement from all of you whom I look up to?

Honestly, you're all an inspiration!

[Kalidurga]

I'm hardly a "real" cyclist, but I will say that a lot of cycling is mental. You'll get some great training advice from other ladies here that will help to improve your stamina, bike handling, pedal stroke, etc, but the first thing to do is squelch those doubtful comments in your head. You're going to have bad days. You're also going to have awesome days when you feel strong, empowered, and can't imagine having so much fun doing anything else. Hold onto those days, and learn whatever you can from the bad ones. There's no reason you can't aim for any goal on the bike that you choose to set.

When is your RAIN ride?

[HoosierGiant]

When is your RAIN ride?

RAIN is July 14th.

Tell us more about you and your training!

Miscellaneous info is in the Getting to Know You thread. As for training, I don't get in nearly the miles I'd like -- I homeschool our two girls (No, it's not for religious reasons, and no, they don't need to be socialized -- sorry, everyone asks.), teach flute lessons, tutor, and serve as editor for freelance-writer DH. An average week is 125-140 miles on the road, less when on the trainer. Ack! I HATE that torture device! I generally ride 4-5 days per week -- having been a distance runner for 20+ years taught me that I'm prone to break-downs if I don't have at least two "off" days per week. I know I should be stretching and doing other forms of exercise/weights, but have just never implemented the routine.

Keep in mind that although it's long, Central Indiana is fairly flat.

I choose to believe that "flat" is a relative term, and it's not one I prefer to use when describing my corner of the world here in east-central Indiana. (But then, I'm old and cantankerous.) Mountainous? Not by any stretch of the imagination. But, "flat" is a term we reserve for northern Indiana, where I spent most of my youth running back-country roads. No, in this section of the Hoosier state, we prefer to describe the terrain as "gently rolling." Of the nine possible route beginnings from our house, eight yield a significant hill within the first three miles -- hey, in my book it's definitely a hill if coasting down it produces speeds of 28+ mph without the frantic let's-see-how-fast-we-can-get-going pedaling at the top. While they may not be the "killer" hills that some of you train on, they're all at least an 8% grade, and a couple hover in the 12-14% range, with the longest one being 1/2 a mile. I'm not trying to be argumentative -- it's just that if people insist on telling me that's "flat", then I'm throwing in the towel right now!

The attachment referenced at the bottom of the post is the elevation chart for this afternoon's ride, a 25-mile loop that was never more than 6 miles from my house. Most assuredly not what some of you would call hills, but I need to call them that so I can continue to pat myself on the back for having gutted it out once again.

That having been said, RAIN is relatively (There's that word again!) flat, but it does have some rollers in the first 40 miles and the last 15 miles. DH rode it last year and assures me that none of the "hills" approach the grades we ride on, but there is one that's just east of Knightstown, at roughly 125 miles into the ride, that's a 1/2-mile long and seems to go on FOREVER! We live just five miles north of Knightstown and are quite familiar with the portion of the course that follows U.S. 40 from Indianapolis to Richmond -- that hill is the bane of my existence!

I would recommend that you have your own support crew.

The girls and I were the personal support vehicle for DH when he rode RAIN last year. Probably one of the funnest things I've ever done! Three parties told us last year they wanted to provide support this year; now that it's getting close, everyone's backing out. Not a big deal -- still doable, but I figure my jersey's going to weigh pretty close to a ton once the pockets are loaded! (Okay, that's probably an exaggeration -- more than my bike at least!) DH bought a small digital camera to take with us (waterproof, drop-proof), otherwise there'd be no photographic evidence of my cross-state attempt at insanity. The hardest part will be knowing there won't be someone with a vested interest in my success waiting at each stop. Friends of ours will make sure our girls are at the finish. I think it's important for them to see that -- not that it's any more important than when DH rode, but they need to see women doing the same thing.

Most people told methe hardest part was around Indy, where there's traffic and you have to pay attention and you know you still hae a LOOONGG way to go. That was sort of true but the weather was so good that it simply wasn't that long a ride.

My fingers are crossed already for some of that "so good" weather. Last year's ride was 90+ degrees and high humidity. Someone (the infamous, nebulous someone) said last year's attrition rate was the highest ever. I swear, I spend eight months out of the year with my hands asleep from cold. I live for high temps; it's the humidity I'd prefer to do without on the day of the ride.

Thanks, everyone, for your comments and suggestions!! I'll keep looking up. (That's "up" as in maintaining a positive frame of mind, not "up" as in staring into the craw of another one of those pesky "flat" hills.

[SR500]

I don't think you will have any problem. We are in Richmond, and have worked the finish, it's really amazing to see people come in. Last year a 71 year old man finished at the 10 hour mark - awesome. Everyone hates the last hill, about 9 miles west of the finish, it's almost a mile long and might hit 5% grade, maybe 3% avg. The heat was the killer last year, hoping for cooler weather this year. Water will be your main concern, you may need to buy some along the way. DH added a rear tri bottle holder to carry 2 extra bottles. He did his first century last week training for the RAIN, everything went well, but he wishes he was faster. He doesn't plan to eat at the stops but rely mostly on Perpetuem from Hammer Nutrition and maybe a couple bars and some gel. A lot of the local riders have done it around here, many in under 7 hours, DH is shooting for 10 hours. Most say is mostly mental, but hydration and nutrition are key. Figure out what works for you and go with it, Hammer is excellent, if you are looking for good products. Anyway, you live in IN, gotta to it at least once. Best of Luck.

[HoosierGiant]

Everyone hates the last hill, about 9 miles west of the finish, it's almost a mile long and might hit 5% grade, maybe 3% avg.

I've ridden that hill, and it doesn't bother me nearly as much as the one outside of Knightstown. Go figure. Perhaps it's because I do the Ktown one more often and am intimately familiar with how bad I'm going to feel by the time I reach the apex. Of course, I've never attempted the the hill you refer to after having already done 150 miles. I'm sure that will drastically change my perception of the dastardly thing!!

Thanks for all of your advice -- it's much appreciated!!

[SJCzar]

OK, I think you've all convinced me. I've been going back and forth on whether to do this ride or not. If you can do it Hoosier, so can I. I've done a full century the past two weekends and have felt both times that I could have gone more if I had to.

I would have to sign up for the bus sag so that should make it a bit less stressful.

I better get signed up this week before I change my mind again.

[salsabike]

I'm thinking if you registered for and are training for that ride, you should seriously consider awarding yourself "real" status.

When is it?

[silver]

Mr. is wanting to do this ride!

Tell us more about you and your training!

If you get on a bike and wear a helmet, you are a REAL cyclist, so let's not hear you say you're not again.....OK?

[teigyr]

You're a real cyclist

I know what you mean though, I look at some of the people here and feel so...amateur.

I also want to hear about your riding and your bike.

And yes, it is so mental. You need to be able to be on your bike for that period of time, of course, but if you tell yourself you can do it, you can.

[Mr. Bloom]

I aspire to this ride...

Keep in mind that although it's long, Central Indiana is fairly flat.

I think that if you signed up, you are a sense that you can do it! I say go for it with vigor!

[Dr. Liz]

Commitment is 90% of the trick. Make sure you've got shorts that will go the distance (I'd highly recommend a chamois cream, like Assos, or Butt Buttr (or whatever it is called) or something), but you ARE a real rider, just to even consider it. Stay hydrated, and stay cool (dump water on your head on a regular basis if you feel yourself getting hot), and keep fueled. You'll be fine. More than fine, in fact. You will be a Cycling Goddess!!!!

[HoosierGiant]

Thanks, everyone!

More to follow... but supper's cooking, I still need a shower after this afternoon's ride, the dryer's buzzing, and one of the cats has just puked a terribly disgusting mess. Aaaah, life is good!!

[Mr. Bloom]

I've heard that there's a multi-day ride from South Bend to Evansville...but I can't find anything on the net.

Anyone know anything about this? Maybe I could shoot for RAIN this year and the other one next year?

[Geonz]

I did RAIN a couple of years ago and I'm sorta thinking about doing it again (though I don't think it's enough momentum to make it happen). While I think I only saw one other toe-clipper the whole time and I got a few comments (but that's *my* attitude - I take it as a compliment when somebody says 'wow! sneakers and toe clips on a hybrid!' - duly note it's an aluminum "hybrid" with reasonably quick wheels and road tires - basically a road bike with flat bars) , there was a reasonably wide range of people doing the ride. Some were really racing it - a lady in my club who was the first woman in who wasn't on the back of a tandem (and she was 53, thank you very much... but she basically didn't get back on the bike 'til THursday) was 30th... I was 300th :-) I stopped and got in line and ate lunch and everything :-) I did the "bus sag" thing 'cause I was on my own and that worked out fine, since (to my surprise) the bus was at the stops when I got there so I could dip in and use its rest room and get another hit of sunscreen and that sort of thing. THen I got to hang around a cooler of drinks and wait for everybody to come on in.
I enjoyed it - rode with informal groups some of the time, by myself some of the time. It's definitely "real" - but you don't have to be competitive real to do it.
Most people told methe hardest part was around Indy, where there's traffic and you have to pay attention and you know you still hae a LOOONGG way to go. That was sort of true but the weather was so good that it simply wasn't that long a ride.