Doing something for the community

[Eureka]

Hey Gals!
Well I've finally found myself a goal to strive for! I've vowed to train and take on the 60-mile course of the RTC Viva Bike Vegas charity ride here in Sin City!

There is one thing, though.
This is my first actual charity ride, not to mention ride of this length.
So if there's anyone who has any tips they would be much appreciated!

Not to mention if anyone is also doing the ride, let me know and we can totally train together!

[Anthony Simon]

I've never actually done a charity bike ride (though I did a charity walk years ago) but I do cycle every day (though not at the moment with my knee). I think 60 miles is a decent ride length if you're not used to it. An achievement but doable for most people. If it were me, I'd do lots of little rides - like 5 to 10 miles - in the weeks leading up to it, so that my body would get used to being on the bike and doing work in that mode. Then I'd do maybe a couple of 20 mile rides in the week before the ride and the preceding week (giving enough time to recover). You don't need to go anywhere near the actual distance until the day itself in my opinion. But that's just me making up stuff, the point is to do regular small amounts you can cope with - and then something that gives you the idea you can cope with the ride proper.

The other thing is you want to know your bike is in reasonable shape and that it's attuned to you. A library (at least here in the UK) can help with books on (at)tuning it or a decent bike shop. Maybe the organisers of the ride can help also.

Have fun.


** Redundant quoting removed pursuant to: Etiquette Guidelines - http://crossdressers-haven.com/forums/v ... hp?t=10059

[Susan]

Bravo Eureka

I have done plenty of charity swims over the years, its fun encouraging the youngsters when they feel tired. Seeing these old bones sailing past them brings out a sense of challenge and they often finish the swim when if they had done it on their own it would have ended before the end.

Good luck in your bike ride.

[Davita]

Hopefully the coordinators have told you some of the important things like the riding surfaces you will be on like all road, or off road etc. They may have told you about the various rest stops along they way. It's also possible the folks have suggested the minimum bike requirements.

One thing that probably hasn't come up is whether to get biker pants with a nice padded seat. You may think your bicycle seat is good, but 60 miles of bumping and vibrating along can prove that wrong. With respect to shoes, I tend to wear tennies and I tuck my laces into the shoes. I would not recommend sandals; gosh forbid you drag toes if you fall. Do you have gloves? Do you have a water bottle holder on the bike? I have a speedometer too and that helps me pace my rides. I was going to ask if you had a flat kit and pump, but there is likely help for a flat provided by the event.

Someone mentioned a tune up of your bike. I agree especially if it's never been done.

Lastly, you are going to need a good sweat proof sun screen. You may need long sleeves and certainly layers depending on when you will start and end your ride.

Have a wonderful time and it likely will be.

[April Rose]

In general I agree with Anthony. What you might do on the last 20 before the event is to really push yourself, to get an idea of how hard you can go, for how long. Then, on the day of the event,start out at a languid pace and just enjoy the day. Take breaks. Every hour, stop for five or ten minutes, and get off the bike. This is something I learned riding motorcycles all over the Unites States, sometimes for weeks at a time. I find that it translates well to bicycles as well.

Drink before you are thirsty, eat before you are hungry, That is important, especially in the desert. You'll come through it looking like a pro.

[Eureka]

Well being 6 months away, I'm already training. I hit the gym 2 days and then take a rest day.
Day 1 I swim, usually around 2km or more. I'm more upper body oriented in my strokes so I like to think of it as cardio for my arms.
Day 2 I bike, Starting training at an hour ride with 5 minute cool down, tonight I reached 17.88 miles at a resistance of 12 on the "Life Fitness" machine by the end of it.

[Absaroka]

There was a time when I thought 60 miles was a pleasant days ride. Tips from then-lots of bike rides of 10 to 15 miles in length. I found I couldn't start off first thing in the morning, I needed to be up and about for a while or I got muscle spasms. Tune up the bike and learn to repair it. Find out hills, road conditions, availability of food and water. Near Vegas I'd expect sun protection and water to be of paramount importance. The wind keeps you from feeling the heat, but you can get quite dehydrated without realizing it as the sweat very quickly evaporates even in humid weather due to the wind.

Stuff like running is great for your cardiovascular system but it exercises your leg muscles the wrong way. To get fit for riding you need to ride, and on a real bike, not a gym bike.
Take a cue from mountain climbers who get in shape by loading up their packs with rocks and walking.
zari