I signed up for this MS bike tour, its 2 days 75 miles each day. Its not until September, so I have time to train. Its for a good cause, so I want to do it but I'm not an experienced bike rider, in fact I don't even own one! Can anyone give me advice as to what kind of bike I should get? Any training advice would appreciated too!
2007-05-18 02:04:22 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
Definitely go to a local bike shop and ask for advice. if you don't know a good shop, find some riders you know and ask them to point you to where they shop.
Since you are a beginner rider, I suspect that a road bike might not be up your alley. These are the racing style bikes with dropped bars that look like the "10-speeds: of yesteryear. I think you should check out the relatively new area of "fitness bikes." These bikes have straight bars, but a lot of the same characteristics of road bikes that make them efficient and smooth on the road. Look at the Trek ZX series of bikes. They have models that go from $400 and up.
2007-05-18 02:28:50 · answer #1 · answered by Jay P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations! It's good to see you doing stuff for charity, as well as for yourself!
I've been riding MS150s (3 a year) for ... well ... this summer will be ride number 11. I 've done the Dallas-Dallas one, the Houston-Austin one, the San Antonio-Corpus Christi one, and (for the first time this year) I'll be doing the Amarillo-Canadian-Pampas. I've also done a couple of Tour de Cure rides for diabetes a year, and the Ride for the Roses (a local annual cancer fundraiser).
Go to your local bike shop - talk to the folks. They've seen a lot of riders come in, just about where you're at now. They know what to do to get you fitted out and - most importantly - comfortable on what will be your new ride. Once you've got your wheels, start checking out the area around where you live ... see how far it is from one place to another, and use your bike to get there.
There's lots of information on the MS site, including local rides designed to get you used to riding for long distances. Some are fundraisers in their own right, and some are 'club' rides. Check them out ... you'll meet lots of others who are 'training' for the big trip as well. And perhaps even some who simply ride to ride ... and who you might convince to help raise awareness and funds for MS.
Most of all - enjoy yourself. The 2-day event is well supported; if you can't finish the distance, there are vehicles to get you to a spot where you can rest, or even all the way to that day's finish area. Do what you can ... every little bit helps!
2007-05-18 09:40:54 · answer #2 · answered by CanTexan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations! As a 5 time AIDS Lifecycle rider (544 miles, 7 days, San Francsco to LA) I'm slightly overwhelmed by the extent of your questions ;-)
1) the MS 150 has a traning ride series that will get you ready for your long ride. When you registered you should have got that information or call them, or go online.
2) as for the bike; find a local bike shop, go in and tell them what you plan to do. They will fit you for the right bike.
Good luck
2007-05-18 09:24:19 · answer #3 · answered by snip 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The MS150 did it back in junior high (18 years ago)it was fun i really just rode my bike allot all over every spare moment i had. as i recall it was very well organized you must have a bike helmet and drink LOTS of water. i cramped up a few times in my legs. nothing major i was able to walk it off ...stretch your legs if you can before and after. my150 mile ride was Hugo MN to Spirit mountain . near Duluth MN with a sleep over in Hinkley MN make sure to get all your Pledge money in too.it goes to help the Fight of M.S. i had a newer Schwinn 10 speed i don't think you will need to spend a lot of cash on this bike unless your planning on going on more rides of longer distances there are some training tips on the web site below
2007-05-18 09:22:18 · answer #4 · answered by Blaze 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋