With the ride only three weeks away, it is time to start thinking about the final prep stage. I just called the bike shop to make an appointment for my tune-up. I will be starting to think about what I need to prepare for the big weekend.
What are the things that we can prepare so that the event is really enjoyable?
hmmm - enjoyable huh... as someone who isn't a biker, who really doesn't like biking, and can't wait for the training and ride to be over - I'm probably not the best to ask... lol! can't wait to get my old non-biking life back! that being said I am planning to be out both days this weekend and hope to get at least 200 kms in if not 220... If you have 5 minutes - listen to my podcast - it's in English or French - my tips on what to do to make it easier are on there (more towards the end)... click on the purple microphone... http://mo10.conquercancer.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=10_social_media_centre&s_locale=en_US
bottom line practice practice practice - nothing but real saddle time on the road will help you get ready... stretch have a well adjusted and well tuned bike stretch stay hydrated and well fed (bonking is so so so not fun!) drink and eat before you are thirsty or hungry... keep drinking water after your day's ride! stretch obey all the safety rules! that means no music, no cell phones, stopping at stops and lights... stay vigilant and pay attention... the alternative is an accident and we know of several this year... don't let it happen to you! stretch all things that they go over in the ride guide... but they are worth repeating... do you have any specific questions?
GARBAGE BAG - Wrap Everything you have in a Garbage back, in case of rain. Everything for your - Get up and go Morning Stuff (tooth brush, etc) IPod - for the tent sleeping bag and travel pillow (again in a Garbage bag) Super C (type of) bag for your Bike Seat (again in case of rain )
Extra Bike stuff - Spare tubes - Spare Air (compress air) - Snack - Dry Clothes for the next day (the rain thing) You could see last year we had to ride in the rain last year. (mostly shorts)
Camp: - They provide, Supper, Snacks, Water, almost everything - The best portable showers in the world, never run out of hot water - Massage, Yoga, shops...
Hope this helps get you started. If there is anything else let me know. (Did I mention wrap everything in Garbage bags?)
Here are a few not so fun things DDK & I came across last year - keeping in mind we were not in the front of the pack but rather in the back as we hit 2 hours of constant rain before finally dragging ourselves into camp!
-if you arrive past a certain time at camp - forget about the massage-they book 15minute sessions- and so by around 2-3ish - all the spots have been taken.
-bring a raincoat - I had a very expensive one from MEC - which served only one purpose-kept me warm-I was completely SOAKED to the bone -but at least warm. We saw some folks along the road with garbage bags on-accompanied by blue lips and shaking-pas bon ça.
-money - on Day 2 I lost my 3rd spoke of the Ride-rendering my back wheel completely crooked-got hauled in the back of one of the big trucks to the next pit stop - the bike technician initially asked for $120 to change my entire wheels - I had no money and was ready to call it quits - he ever-so-kindly went to the back of his truck and painstakingly fixed my wheel for a mere $15. I was lucky - you might not be. So if you have people cheering you on/ following you - maybe put in a spare wheel in their car? Or be prepared to pay CASH up front to have a new one put in/ OR any other service they will provide you.
After all that - keep in mind that there are a gazillion AMAZING cyclists, route patrols, bike techs, medical assistance along the way who will stop at the drop of a dime to help you out! So you are never alone - everyone has cell phones, walkie-talkies, and like I mentioned before - there are these big milk trucks that follow us that pick up cyclists along the way who need a lift to the next pit stop-for whatever reason.(medical,technical..emotional..heh,heh)
oh yeah putting everything in your luggage in a sealed garbage bag was the best thing ever! so many people who didn't last year arrived to soaking luggage, sleeping stuff, clothes, you name it!!
thanks all, I had called the ride center, they helped, but it was better to see a list type of items, bring what,do's do not do's, I noticed no one listed spare bike rider, why wasn't it listed , maybe no saddle bags big enough. LOL. mike
Oh how I wish I had a spare rider last year in all that rain. No rain this year folks-I'm a praying. Dez and DDk have said it all, about what to bring or not bring. One thing I noticed last year some folks prefered to carry all their gear in paniers on their bikes. That's an extra 20 to 50 lbs you have to lug up those hills on the second day. Leave your gear with the trucks unless it rains again there is no risk and you'll fly to Quebec City.
The rain is a bad memorie for all of us who has to ride a few hours with it.
Last year I was lucky enough to have some friends following me and encouraging me from Mtl thru 3-Rivières on the first day. When they saw my luggage they took my clothings and went to a laundry to dry it. Best friend of the world
This year, they will follow me again - only this time they advise - so they will bring my stuff into the car. Rain or no rain, my stuff will be dry. I wish you have all this luck.
Like all of you, I ride because I know someone who has cancer. Closely enough to know what chimio, radio and all other treatments can do. Closely enough to know how they can feel when the doctor is telling his patient that their is nothing else to do to beat the cancer. They need their family, their friends....they need us. Just like me when I was riding under the rain, I needed my family and my friends. My friends with me was priceless and my cell phone to hear the voice of my family was invaluable. So, second year in a row, I bring the plastic bag, my cell and my friends. Enjoy the last 2 week-end of training, ride carefully and THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR INVOLVEMENT.
Well it sounds that the clock is ticking away, if you read each person commits, I can feel there is a huge clock, TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK and yes NO RAIN, TICK TOCK. Time seems to be moving very fast right now, Well I picked up the bike it has the tune up and I have another wek of holidays to use to train, have 2 days in a row done this week 124km each day. So YAA DAA DO Bring on the ride for cancer RUFF RUFF!
I went to MEC today and bought a little hermetic case for my cell phone and ipod. I almost bought one of those canoe sacs.. but figured the $30 price tag was a little high considering garbage bags and ziplocs should do the trick.
Ok, I will not claim this is my last question as there are sure to be others... but is it necessary to book the shuttle back to Montreal? How exactly should I gauge what time to book a shuttle for, when I have no clue what time I'll be arriving in Quebec City at!
There are a ton of great suggestions in this thread.
There was a question about an air mattress; I brought one last year and it fit nicely in the tent. The air mattress was the self inflating kind that I bought at Costco. Also last year I packed all my stuff in canoe camping bags inside my knapsack. All my stuff was dry despite sitting in a puddle for a few hours.
One thing that came to mind just today is that I found it difficult to find my bag when I arrived in Trois-Rivieres. I will try this year to put some type of identification strap on it to make it stand out better.
Was at Canadian Tire yesterday and picked up a 44$ air mattress for 23$ (it has an internal foot pump - tried it yesterday and it worked like a charm). They also had some pretty large canoe bags for 21$ and under - so all-in-all a very worthwhile trip.
The jersey ROCKS!!!
So, anyone going to the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit tonite?
My bike is going back on the van (I'm renting a hard-sided box with wheels from my bike shop for 20$) but I booked a VIA 1 ticket on points for the trip back for my body. I'll be wined and dined and comfortable - train leaves at 5:45 or there abouts from Ste-Foy. Economy ticket is relatively inexpensive - may be worth considering for those of us without a "sweep team" :- )
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