Livestrong Challenge - schedule for 2009

**cyclingmama** · 03-07-2009, 02:19 PM

Thanks ny biker. I was afraid of that. I really am a hill weenie! But its such a great cause, and I figure all the work hill training is nothing in comparison to the hard work my mom is doing. I feel so helpless; this is the one thing I can do.

**Possegal** · 03-07-2009, 02:33 PM

I'm sorry to hear about your mother too. I rode the Philly Livestrong in 07, 3 months after my oldest sister was diagnosed with lung cancer. My sister and brother in law and I rode it (he did the 100, we did the 45) for the same reason - we felt so helpless and we felt that with all she is going through, it was the least we could do. Even the 45 is a real challenge, but it is such an amazing ride! Last year the 3 of us were back, with 6 more riders and 9 people doing the 5K, and our sister. She was sick but she was there. Now, she plans to be there again this August and walk the 5K with our 1 yr old niece.

Everyone on my team absolutely loved the entire experience. It really is worth it! They were barely off their bikes and asking me was I organizing a team again this year. So we will all be back. Look for our big banner - "Kelly's Posse" - and stop by and say Hi. We set up near the start/finish line last year and I'm sure we'll do the same this year.

**ny biker** · 03-07-2009, 03:54 PM

I used to hate hills a few years ago. I am very slow going up hill, sometimes as slow as 4 mph. But then I did a couple of long rides on the eastern shore of Maryland, which is pancake flat, and I was so bored by the lack of variety in the terrain. So I decided to get used to hills. I'm still very slow, but I don't care if everyone else leaves me in the dust. I just shift down to the granny gear and keep pedaling at my pace until I make it to the top.

I've found it also helps to smile a lot and have a good up-tempo song stuck in your head. As I've mentioned in some other threads, there are a couple of Foo Fighters songs that work well for me (the one that goes "Done, done, on to the next one" seems especially relevant to all those hills), and my college fight song also helped me on last year's ride.

**cyclingmama** · 03-10-2009, 11:27 AM

what an inspiring story, Possegal. Thanks, I needed that! and for the encouragement from both of you. I don't mind rolling hills (which is good, considering I live in the foothills of the Catskills

) but the long steep climbs are really really tough for me. I'll have to consider whether to register for the 70 mile route instead. But I will definintely look for your team, possegal!

**ny biker** · 03-10-2009, 12:02 PM

I don't know about the portion of the 100-mile route that is not shared with the 70-mile route. But for the 70-miler, there was one very long hill that was not too steep, and the steepest ones were not that long.

They will post an elevation profile for each of the routes.

If you decide to go with the 70-miler, let me know and we can ride together if you want.

**cyclingmama** · 03-11-2009, 10:54 AM

If you decide to go with the 70-miler, let me know and we can ride together if you want.

Cool, thanks. Its always nice to have someone to ride with. Lets keep in touch as the day gets closer. (which of course means I need to come here more often, but I'm sure I will in any event as the weather warms up and I get out riding more)

BTW, do you mind if I ask why you are "ny biker" if you live in VA? Are you from NY?

**ny biker** · 03-11-2009, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by cyclingmama

BTW, do you mind if I ask why you are "ny biker" if you live in VA? Are you from NY?

I'm from Long Island. I also lived and worked in Manhattan for a while before I moved to the DC area.

I have relatives upstate, around Binghamton, but I don't think I've ever been to New Paltz. There's a SUNY campus there, isn't there?

p.s. I went to college in Philadelphia, but the part of the city that I lived in was totally flat. I had no idea what kind of hills they have in that area until I did the first Livestrong ride. It was a shock!

**CyclChyk** · 03-11-2009, 06:46 PM

I'm registered for the Philly ride. Any tips? I'm coming up from SC to do the ride so I have no clue what to expect (my hubby's mom has been diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer which prompted our decision to travel for the ride.)

**ny biker** · 03-11-2009, 07:09 PM

What distance will you be riding?

The schedule and a description of the courses are posted on the website. They give a general overview of what happens over the course of the weekend and what the ride is like.

**bluebug32** · 03-12-2009, 06:38 AM

I'm also thinking about doing the Philly ride, either the 70 or the 100.

Thanks for all the great info. and advice!

**cyclingmama** · 03-13-2009, 01:12 PM

There's a SUNY campus there, isn't there?

Yes, my dh works and teaches there!

sounds like maybe there could be a TE team for the Philly ride?

**cyclingmama** · 03-13-2009, 01:21 PM

CyclChyk - I also found this blog entry with a decent description of the century ride last year, as well as his garmin upload with map and elevation profile:

http://fishmagic.blogspot.com/2008/0...illy-2008.html

**Possegal** · 03-13-2009, 01:27 PM

Let's see if I can make this work. Here is the elevation for my 45 mile ride last year from my Garmin. Total elevation gain on my machine says 3,838 ft.

**Possegal** · 03-19-2009, 10:52 AM

Today and tomorrow, if you are registering for the Philly ride, you can do so at half-off. So $25 to register rather than $50. Just type in PHILLY09 in the discount box when you are registering. Every bit helps in this economic climate! I'm hoping I can get more of my team to register today. We shall see.

**bluebug32** · 03-19-2009, 11:15 AM

Thanks! Will spread the word. I want to be part of a team, but we don't have a name yet and have a few members who are on the fence. Can you register and then fill in these blanks later?

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