How I did it: I had wanted to do this ride for a long time, but only this year felt like I could make the commitment. It turned out to not be as difficult as I expected. I trained quite a bit ahead of time--lots of spin classes and some long rides, plus some speed training in a local park. I made sure to stay hydrated and fed during the ride (a bottle of water every hour, plus 1/4 a bottle of sports drink, plus snacks). I made sure to pace myself and make use of my gears, as some of the hills were steep.

Lessons & tips: Get on a team with good support. The amenities a good team can provide make it totally worth the price. I had a tent to stay in, massages, free beer, and more. Oh, and make sure you learn about group riding skills as you will find yourself riding in a pack quite a bit.

Resources: Chamois Butt'r. Saved my bottom. . . literally.

---

Apr 19, 2011, 11:56AM PDT | 0 comments | 2 cheers