2007 Bike Tour - Dave M.

From: Dave M
To: Gil L

Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2007 12:34 PM

Subject: Re: 2007 Bike Tour - Dave

Hello Gil,

I sure appreciated receiving your email the other night.

I share many of your concerns and observations about the upcoming adventure.

I am not doing the entire cross country trek but joining the tour in Champaign, IL. My schedule does not allow me to be away the month of May. Actually, this is the first time I will be attempting a multi-day long distance tour. I decided to do the Eastern States ride to see how my body would hold up and if successful do the other part next year. ( My cardiologist thinks I am nuts but has given me his OK as long as I send emails periodically)!

I agree with you that training has been a challenge in the great northeast. I have completed ~1200 miles since January 1; 50/50 split inside / outside. The inside trainer will drive you mad after 90 minutes! I was given the two Armstrong books that Tracy recommended and have been doing the recommended training rides ( tempo, hills, etc). This has helped the time go by and did improve my overall leg strength. I am not "fast" on the bike and have never been. I average 15/16ish on 30 mile rides and 14 + on longer rides ( 50+). I have concentrated on cadence and eating while riding ( more on eating later on).

I did hit a wall in early March where I was sick of riding and I took a week off. Right now the juices are flowing again. Another issue has been some nagging injuries / colds. At the moment, I am nursing an infected toe.

I have never ridden a full century before. I did a couple of 70 milers last year and did complete 3000 miles in 2006. I retired July 1 from GE after 36 years and really got into riding for enjoyment.

There have been times in the past after long rides where I really feel fatigued for a few days and this where I am anxious about my ability to ride all the way day after day. A person who did a previous tour ( and around my age) recommended some eating changes and the Armstrong books have some great tips as well. A good breakfast with lots of carbs, drinking Accelerate every 10 / 15 minutes ( 20/24 oz. an hour), a gel pack k and hour augmented by Cliff bars and some "real" food sandwiches for lunch really help. after the ride, what they say about the first 30 minutes and hour I find to be very true. If I eat / drink as recommended I feel OK the next day. If I don't, I am very sluggish. I did back to back 62 miles last weekend and did the post ride thing the right way after Saturday ride and Sunday was not too bad. However, Sunday I did not and Monday was really bad. I sure hope this holds up when I do longer rides.

As for EFI, I had not heard this before. I have chatted with a person who rode several years ago and he told me what Jim told you. Great group of people, all abilities, and that Tracy and staff do a great job in making this a fun adventure. He told me that I was over-training for the ride, that people arrived with only 300 miles training,

you have all day to complete the ride and have fun. Let me ask him about the EFI stuff and i will let you know. I can see where there would be people like that.

I agree, This is a dream for me as well. I am anxious also.

Let's stay in touch and I am looking forward to meeting and riding with you.

Question: what kind of a saddle bag are you going with ? Rain jacket ?

Best to you, Dave M