I have recently signed on to ride the Aids Life Cycle in San Fran next June in support of the San Fransisco Aids Foundation. I will be riding 585 miles over the course of 7 days. I AM SCARED! I have started my training with cross training indoors and some hiking. I have been on some smaller rides and have only ever riden up to 60 miles in one day. So starting Jan. 1 I will be crankin' my training up to full gear. Did I mention to you guys that I'm SCARED! Is there anyone in this group experiencing the same annnnnnxxxiety? No matter what I do to train I still feel like it is not enough or I'm not doing it correctly. How do I build confidence? If I go to the gym I do more reps than weight, I incline my tread mill and put at faster pace so I don't run on it. But I still don't feel like it's enough to stay in shape till spring.
aids life cycle training
I am also signed up for the ride. And although I have done many of these rides as a volunteer, I have only done one ride on a bicycle. It definately is scary, but the crew is really helpful in getting you through the ride. All you need to do is ask for help.
I am not really sure how to answer your question. Over training is just as bad as under training. For me the most important thing is being there.
If you want, I can take you through my training regimine. The only off the bike stuff I do is more prehab stuff than anything else. Lower back, knees, shoulders and neck. Everything else is just miles on the bike.
I already know of several other New Yorker's that will be there this year.
Feel free to contact me with any other questions.
"You'll risk injury if you ""crank up"" your training too quickly. And overtraining will simply exhaust you and make you not want to participate in the ride. The best way to train is to take one of the NY Cycle Club's SIG series this spring - it's a progressive training series that gets you into shape over a period of 10 weeks or so. If you do a couple of mid-week training rides during the SIG and then continue with that pattern after the end of the SIG, you'll be in great shape for June. (Be sure to sign up for the SIG series that's appropriate for your current riding level.)"
I'm also considering this ride, last year I did the Empire State Aids Ride 560 miles from Niagara Falls to Battery Park. I'm thinking I'll check out the west coast this year.
I also strongly recommend the SIG training offered by the NYCC. I completed this last year and the Aids Ride was a breeze. Hopefully I'll see you in the SIG this spring, if so you'll be leading the pack out of San Francisco.
The best things about the Sigs is that they are free, offer great companionship and excellent training, bike handling skills, repair maintenance an opportunity to learn about roadside first aid and will give you 12 great routes for rides and personal training.
The programme will definitely get you in great shape for June. It starts at the beginning of March for As and Bs and runs until mid-May. The distances gradually get longer and the graduation ride is approximately 108 miles.
If you have ridden 60 miles in a day before, you should find the transition up to 100 miles in a day not too arduous.
In order to get used to riding an average of 83 miles a day, which is what you will need for your efforts in June, towards the end of the Sigs, make time to go out on two long rides on consecutive days of 75 miles plus. If you can manage three days in a row, so much the better. But don't try it too early. The first week of May might be good, which will give you sufficient time to recover for the Sig graduation ride.
I would also suggest that you get on the bike as soon as possible and concentrate on getting some base miles into your legs and cut back on some of the off-bike stuff. Don't worry about speed, just get some miles in. After a few weeks, start to climb a few more hills than usual and fit them into your regular routine. If the weather stays mild, take advantage of it.
When you do the ride for real in June, you will probably find the momentum of the other riders will help get you through.
Learn about hydration, if you don't already know, because it is vital that you drink plenty of fluids. When you are doing long distances for seven days on the trot, some electrolyte is necessary. You will probably lose quite a bit of weight in that week but it should not be from dehydration. If you allow yourself to get dehydrated on one of the seven days, you will find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to recover in time to go the course the next day.
Enjoy!
I have done 2 ALC rides and the SIG supplemented by extra mileage during the week fully prepared me for the ride...and allowed me to enjoy it rather than suffer through it. Being nervous is normal but redirect that energy toward a smart, progressive training program. You'll be amazed at how quickly your body will adapt. During the winter months, go to the gym...spin classes are excellent training...but invest in a heart rate monitor and learn how to work within different training zones. When cycling season starts, you'll have plenty of local support to get out on the bike!
Contact me anytime.
I have done 2 ALC rides and the SIG supplemented by extra mileage during the week fully prepared me for both rides...and allowed me to enjoy them rather than suffer through them. Being nervous is normal but redirect that energy toward a smart, progressive training program. You'll be amazed at how quickly your body will adapt. During the winter months, go to the gym...spin classes are excellent training...but invest in a heart rate monitor and learn how to work within different training zones. When cycling season starts, you'll have plenty of local support to get out on the bike!
Contact me anytime.
