The Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer

kmclachlan · Veteran Member

Is my bike up to the challenge

chasecameron · Member

Hey there,

I looked at it and I don't see why you can't ride in it. I'd still get bike shorts and the cream to save your arse, literally, and gloves that cushion. You'll be fine.

I hadn't ridden in 12 years due to many painful health issues then got a medication that worked and got on a bike in April, thought I would die. By the end of the summer I'd done nearly 2,000 MILES, riding on the rare non rainy, non migraine days. Most was 77 km in a day. I'll be off in Dec through March with surgeries, but will be walking a lot. I hike everywhere. Did a 53 k ride yesterday.
And I signed on for the 100 MILES x2 ride. My family are thrilled, but doubtful.

You'll be fine, friend.

over the winter I'm laying away funds to buy this bike:
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/10/cusa/model-0FS4.html
debating on the charcoal or white, but otherwise...

Anyone else doing the M200? I haven't found anyone.
If anyone has a good stationary cycle (Hamilton area) and can bring it and lend it till winter is over, I'd really appreciate it. With paying down a bike and being on a disability pension, buying one is out. Gyms are out..changing room/shower issues.

Riding for my brother who had a bone marrow transplant at PMH in June and is STILL sick in Sunnybrook. Riding as a cancer survivor of coming on 20 years myself.

Simon.Monk · Member

KMC: The Giant looks like a good all-round bike. You should have no problem doing 100km x2 on it.
I agree with Chase: Get a good pair of bike shorts. They make a huge difference in keeping away the saddle-soreness. The other thing to help is simply to ride lots and your rear-end muscles will learn how to sit right.
Chase: If you're getting a mountain bike, try to get city tires for it. The knobby tires will create a lot of rolling friction and slow you down on pavement. Mountain Equipment Coop sells a "City Slicker" - a road tire for 26" mountain bike rims. Other bike shops probably have something similar.

chasecameron · Member

I have similar tires for the Trek and immediately had two flats. As long as I can do the 100 MILES a day in the allotted time, I don't mind being slower. After trails it will be a pleasure.
I'll look into those.
Could you email the info about the shop and tires to me? I'll forget if you dont:
chase.cameron@live.com

I'll be training in late March. Riding when I can now.

kmclachlan · Veteran Member

You had similar tires to the ones I have, or the ones from MEC?

chasecameron · Member

Bontrager Comfort B tires. Smoother on the top, knobby at the edges. The original owner of the Trek put them on. I got flats, put the Bontrager MTB tires it came with that the guy gave me.
I loved the feel of the Comfort B's, but lost the love after the second flat. A friend who just finished Cycle Oregon told me I probably over-inflated, that the middle of the posted PSI range is best, not the top number. That said, I've never blown a mountain bike tire.
I guess if I'm doing 200 MILES, I'm going to have to find skinny tires for the Cannondale I'm getting.

Tell me about the city slicker. Is that what the Bontrager Comfort B would be?

Simon.Monk · Member

Store info: Mountain Equipment Coop www.mec.ca.
They recently opened a store on Brant St. in Burlington. The other nearest branch is downtown Toronto.

As far as the tires go, I've never used them myself since I have a road bike. I just know that MEC has them. Generally, everything MEC sells is good quality.
Here's the webpage for them. there are user reviews in the detail of each one.
http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?bmForm=mec_quick_search&bmFormID=1258250646969&bmUID=1258250646969&bmIsForm=true&bmPrevTemplate=%2FMain%2Fcontent_text.jsp&bmText=quick_search&quick_search=city+slickers&bmSubmit=search&search=Search&bmHidden=Ntk&Ntk=productsearch_en_rankonly

Hope this helps.
Happy riding!!

chasecameron · Member

Thanks again Simon. I saved the copied email to my computer. This will help.

Hey the McDonald cleaning lady will be sponsoring me for 30-40 this week, a friend of hers for 50. I'm getting on a roll after working it for sponsors.

Put down the first down payment on my new bike in two weeks. Really stoked about it too! It's sweet.

emayberry · Member

Hi Guys,

I don't know a whole lot about bikes but rode in 2008 on a Raleigh mountain bike with slicks - they are Michelins with kevlar - no problems at all. Bought a Fuji Newest 4.0 (weird name) for 2009 and have only had 1 flat, and that was after the ride toodling around St. Catharines.

I still haven't chosen my distance for 2010 yet, but I am leaning towards 200 miles.

KMC - you'll be fine but I agree with the others- bike shorts are a big help for riding!

Take care!
Elna

chasecameron · Member

Looks like I will be putting slicks on the bike in time for the ride. I don't train on the pavement, but a trail. Pavement will feel good after that.

I'm going for miles, figure if I can average 10 an hour or twelve, it'll be long days, but do able. I'm sure there'll be some faster hours as well. I hope.

slalom_ · Veteran Member

I trained on a mountain bike last year, but rented a "tri" bike for the actual event....it was a treat. Endurosport in Leaside was renting the Nineteen Advantage for ten bucks a day.

I understand this year they will be renting the aluminum Cervelo...not sure on pricing, but a road bike is a huge difference. I rented mine for ten days before the Ride (I did Quebec last year) so I could train a little on it and figure out the gears.

I loved the bike and I've purchased a road bike for this year's ride.

SMOKE14 · Senior Member

Did 200k on a Specialized Sirrus Sport "Hybrid", but had to go out and get a Specialized Roubaix Elite after the ride, and I'm ready to conquer the 200 miles in 2010.

donw · Veteran Member

Yes, that bike is fine for the ride. Build you base mileage up and you will be fine.