Good Day to all of those logged onto . My buddy and I will be biking across Texas August 8th promoting awareness of Autism. Is there anyone on this site that is a big road bike guru? Im looking for tips and advice for a 150 mile-a-day trek. Im ninteen years of age and in pretty good shape, but always looking for improvment in technique and especially endurance. Im not near a computer all the time but I check up on messages every night so tell me what you think.

More power to ya and good luck on your venture. you are a brave man to tackle a bike ride like that in August in Texas, my suggestion is lots and lots of fluids. Do a write up for us as you go along or when you are finished so we can live vicarioulsy through you. :thumbsup:

Couple of thoughts:

150 miles a day is a bit ambitious for a non road biker (meaning if you are not used to putting in that kind of seat time on a bike no matter how in shape you are it isnt an easy thing to do.) Most in shape people I've come across get pretty wiped after a 100 miler in one day (including myself).

First think I would do is get in contact with a decent bike shop that is used to dealing with racers and get you bike 'fit checked'. They'll go over the components and settings to make sure its optimal for you. This should help save your knees and other body parts from damage.

Texas is HOT.. like Kerry said, lots of fluids. My personal favorite stuff is from http://www.e-caps.com. On hot rides I'll normally use the HEED product. It has worked really well in the past. They also sell caplets that help you stay hydrated.

Good luck, sounds like a fun time.

Jason

Alo, thanks for the advice I never thought about how getting the bike proportioned would help my body from further damage but it makes sense. Ive been mountain biking alot and got a road bike not too long ago and it seems so much faster, Im planning to do around 130-150 miles a day, my buddy is trying to go for a whopping 200 which is a little insane but I'm sure he'll realize it the first outing.

I'd also probably ramp the mileage up. Starting at maybe 70 the first day and working from there. I realize you have the whole day to do it and its not at a 'race pace' so it shouldn't be that bad. If everythink is going well your body will probably be able to deal with 150 by the 3rd to 4th day without much of a problem.

I'm not sure what you plan on using tire/wheel wise. I'm guessing that you'll be sticking to the mostly flat part of Texas, so weight isn't going to be of that much of a concern.

I've had good luck with the Michelin pro-race tires. Good rolling resistance and fiarly tough so they don't flat real easy. My worse luck (including a few on my tearm http://www.lateralstressvelo.com ) has been with the continental tires. Most of their models tend to flat real easy.

Jason

Just wondering what your training schedule is. Don't underestimate the value of getting some distance experience under your belt before starting. More time in the saddle on the road bike will also tend to make you less 'fidgety' and allow you to concentrate more. Are you going to be using a race bike or a touring bike? Packing your gear or SAG?

Though you may not have any specific goals per day, I'm sure it would do you good to get to know how your body reacts to endurance training and where your peaks and troughs lay.

That's an ambitious ride in my book. I wish you all the best. I did the MS150 this weekend, and so most of my questions to you are based upon my learning curve from that. I found that the heat on day 2 was beyond my thermostat settings. You might want to saddle up, get the bike up to weight and see how you do out in the sun.

Any ideas on what route you're taking? I haven't been on my mountain bike much the past year, but I would be glad to get you contacts for local bike shops if you need them (DFW area). What have you guys got lined up for support vehicles, lodging, etc. I'll be glad to help where I can. Can't promise much, but let me know.

Hey guys sorry I haven't been on in a couple of days (playing with tractors ) Well I know for a fact we are starting in El Paso, and ending in Marshall Tx. I have been spending a lot of time in the saddle of my downhill bike so when I get on my road bike for training I will have a bunch of strength. Dennis what part of DFW are you in? I am in the Bedford Hurst area down the street from bicycle's inc. A friends dad owns four of them and told me he would help me out but haven't heard anything yet. I am supposed to get my bike fitted/adjusted for me sometime this week so I dont wear any part of my body out prematurely.
So far for riders its me and two of my buddies. One of them has his family graciously donating their suburban for a safe car. Lodging well... thats a whatever comes our way kinda deal, maybe sleeping in the car or tent. We have two sponsors so far Hydrade, and Soutwest Airlines. So far Hydrade is backing us up with boxes to not only use but to sell for any extra expenses we may need.

My training is a little different from others you might say... I am an elite rower from my college and gymnast for now 7 years. I have a pretty extensive workout list consisting of stretching, warming up, working out, conditioning, cool down, then stretching and ice. Its different every day, one day is rowing for 10K meters and sprints, the other may be a 30-50 mile bike ride plus run. This week is going to be mainly hills and sprints to train for long winded days.

I plan on going for a check up at the end of this week, do you have any workout schedules/ diet plans that have worked real well for you? I am always open for suggestions and moving towards improvment.

rowing ain't nothing like biking
And except for Texas being hot in August also expect thunderstorms and rain/hail on your way.
And also ... Texas ain't flat everywhere.
Especially starting out in El Paso you'll be hitting mountainous area pretty much right away ... so 150 miles a day is pretty pretentious.

One more suggestion: get in contact with Lance and watch OLN for the Tour de France to see how cruel biking can be

I'm not being sarcastic, just trying to be honest with you

BTW: seeing those guys pedalling in France ... hat off to them. That has got to be one of the most enduring sport(events) out there

Say Ron...what's up with your e-mail? It keeps bouncing. Drop me a line with your new addy. I'm also looking to see if there's any runs coming up out your way.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program!

sent yah an email Dennis