Hello everyone! This will be my first year participating in this event and I must admit that I am a little nervous. I am hoping that some of the experienced riders can let me know what to expect, I have signed up for the Toronto to Niagara route. Any tips would be appreciated!
Sandy, we all have those "first year" emotions - except with me they have never gone away This will be my 4th year & every year I go through the same thing - I worry that I 've not trained hard enough, that I haven't done enough hills. So, my advice would be to train, train, train and train some more. One of the best pieces of advice that was given to me was: find a hill that you hate & learn to love it! Cause there will be hills on this ride.
I agree with everything Silver Fox has said.
I have never forgot my first year and to this day, there are parts of it that were so emotional for me, that the memory still brings tears to my eyes.
Take time to enjoy the whole experience - and I bet you'll be back next year!
Thanks so much for the advice everyone! I would love to go to an orientation, but there are no sessions that are nearby. Thanks for the hill training advice Susan!
Sandy I had never rode that distance until last year. My son and I did the Ride and it was a lot of fun. Was really nervous that I would struggle badly, like others say it ia a great day with lots of company for every rider.
Congratulations on singing up Sandyturk, you have done something that you will never forget as long as you live
This is my sixth year.
Most important thing you can do is start riding now. Begin at 20k per week and ramp up to at least 100k per week
the course is not hard but there are some challenges on the first day because we do climb up the Hamilton mountain twice so training on hills is important.
This is not a race so don't think that you have entered the tour de France. An average rider should finish each day in six hours
Be ready to ride in all weather so plan to train in the rain. There have been several years, especially last year when it rained the whole day so plan on getting wet and dirty.
Make sure your bike is in good condition, well tuned, good tires, new tubes and good brakes
Pack light when you ride, you need water bottles, camera, tubes and some small bits to change a tire, everything else you can get along the way.
Most important of all is have fun, chat to people as you ride and take in the experience. The ride is a celebration of your hard work fundraising.
Last point. Shake the hand of someone with a yellow flag on their bike. They and so many others are the reason we all do this.
Have a blast on the ride. I'll see you on the road!
Congrats on signing up - this is going to be an amazing experience for you!!
This is my fourth ride, and all the advice you've gotten here so far is bang on - just get some miles under your belt before you set out. If there are any training rides near you, they're a great option for getting to know some people involved and feeling what it's like to ride in a group (it's a bit different than riding on your own). If not, just get out there and do what you can before the event!
Good luck with your prep and see you on the road!
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------------------------------- Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try. -Yoda
This will be my 4th year & every year I go through the same thing - I worry that I 've not trained hard enough, that I haven't done enough hills. So, my advice would be to train, train, train and train some more. One of the best pieces of advice that was given to me was: find a hill that you hate & learn to love it! Cause there will be hills on this ride.