2010 Ride!

Jason · Veteran Member

RE: 2010 Ride!

Jason · Veteran Member

Todays training ride was excellent today a little tough going into the headwinds but do-able.
I think once I swap over to the slicks it will be a lot better. I like the resistance of the big tires only for the training aspect.

CP I did not see you there mind you I got there a touch late 945 ish.
Jason

Corries Pookey · Senior Member

I was there Jason ... sorry I missed you I looked for a name tag that said Jason and thought that maybe something came up. It was a crazy week for me. My personal email address is tlcann@hotmail.com... send me a message and maybe we could meet up and set up some training time.

Lizzie · Member

Hi Everyone,

I'm pretty new at this - I just signed up for the 2010 Ride yesterday!! And I'm already pretty excited about it.

I'm not much of a bike rider as of yet, but that will definitely change as I start my training. In the past I've walked marathons for other organizations and did the fundraising for those - so I'm not too worried about the fundraising. It's the riding and training that I have lots of questions about. I've signed up for the orientation in 3 days and I'm hoping they'll answer some of them at that time.

My biggest concern right now is wht type of bike is best to have to complete this trekk? I have arthritis in my feet, knees and hips, so I'm hoping to find something that won't aggravate those areas too much.

I live in SE Calgary - are there any other participants in this area?

Corries Pookey · Senior Member

I am in Marlborough ... I also have arthritis in my ankles and hips as well as I have some bum knees due to over stressing them in the 2009 ride. send me a private email and I will send you my number and we can talk if you would like.
Tammy

abrokenshire · Senior Member

Hey Lizzie,

I also have some problems with arthritis, & I got a Giant hybrid for the 2009 ride. I didn't have any problems after the ride (other that the sunburn) so you might want to consider that. Psycho Mike may also have some suggestions for you. He is the "Grand Knight" of my team the Cancer Crusaders, and is our bike expert.

Annette

Lizzie · Member

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. Right now I have a mountain bike - to hopefully get a little training in during the weekend, but I'll probably be looking at getting a different bike for the run.

Lizzie · Member

In that last post, "weekend" was supposed to be "winter"!! The brain's not working too well tonight - I have an infected tooth and the whole right side of my face is swollen and throbbing. Not good!

Psycho Mike · Guru

No worries, Lizzie. If you don't pick up a different bike in the spring, just ask some questions. A mountain bike can do a long ride...just needs a bit of preparation and it won't be quite as fast. I've thrown slicks (not the knobby / bumpy off-road tires) on my mountain bike and done 205 km in a sitting, so I know it can be done :)

Here's hoping your tooth feels better soon!

Mike

Lizzie · Member

Thanks Mike. The tooth/mouth/face is starting to feel a little better, but only after spending the morning in emergency hooked up to an IV for a direct dose of antibiotics. I still have the hook-up in my arm because I have to go back tomorrow morning for another dose of antibiotics.

I do have a couple of questions (the "newbie" kind, lol) - what's the difference between a hybrid bike and a road bike? I was talking to someone the other night from the organizers of the ride, and he gave me some tips on where to go to get my bike fitted to me, etc. So I'm well on the way with my biking learning curve! I learned very quickly when I first started training to walk marathons, that even the most obvious sports have their own tricks and quirks that make the sport that much easier.

I'm anxious to get my training under way, so hopefully I start to feel better here pretty soon.

Psycho Mike · Guru

Lizzie,

Glad to hear you're on the mend. :)

For your question: A hybrid bike is very much a jack of all trades, master of none. It's intended to allow someone the most flexibility possible in a single package. It's usually got an upright riding position and flat handlebars for comfort, many have a front suspension fork, they can usually take racks and fenders for touring or commuting, come with a tire with some knobs for gravel roads / really light off-road trails and is usually fairly inexpensive. Because of how much range in cycling they try to cover, they really are limited in their abilities in any discipline. I guess in a nutshell, a hybrid is a relatively inexpensive comfort bike made to do a little bit of a lot of things and is pretty good as a "putter around town" bike.

A road bike is made for on-road riding...and usually fast on-road riding. The riding position is sloped forward with drop bars (the ram horn type handlebars) to make you more aerodynamic. They don't usually have much accomodation for things like racks, fenders and you definitely don't want to take them off-road. They typically have skinny tires to go fast on asphalt and no suspension...you pay for the speed with a harsher ride. There are a wide range of specializations in road bikes, depending on what exactly you want to do: go far fairly quickly, go moderate distances fast or go short distances as fast as you possibly can under pedal power. Of course, the price varies a lot too from about 1.5x a typical hybrid to $15,000+

My experience is that most shops, if you go in and just tell them you want a bike for riding around town, will start by showing you a hybrid.

ANyway, I hope that helps :)

-- Edited by Psycho Mike on Wednesday 7th of October 2009 09:21:56 PM

Morrisjo · Veteran Member

Hey Guys, it has been a long time since I appeared on these pages. I think I am closer to signing for the 2010 ride. How is everyone.

Lizzie I am in the deep SE(McKenzie).

I guess I need to get riding again if I will do the ride next year. Are they planning on doing the same route?

Enjoy

Lizzie · Member

Hi everyone,
So I attended my orientation last Thursday - there weren't too many of us there, actually only 3. But at least they signed up, so that's good!

Tammy, sorry about not getting back to you in time to meet up. I had my phone turned off that day and forgot to turn it back on. I was at the Rocky View Hospital. My "toothache" ended me up on an IV until Saturday! Not impressed, to say the least!!!

I'm checking out a gym on Thursday that have a spin class - FitnessPlus. It's very reasonable and you don't need to sign a contract. I'll see how that goes.

McKenzie Town in not far by Deerfoot, but I'm new (and uneducated) as far as bike routes go. I know the running routes from EauClaire to Bowness and then to the Alyth yards in the other direction, but I have no clue with the bike routes.

Liz

Psycho Mike · Guru

Hey Morrisjo! Welcome back! ...glad to hear you're alive and kicking :) I'm doing well and am in for 2010 ;)

Hopefully you'll do the Ride again....I think it was a hoot (a tiring and challenging hoot, but still a hoot). Who knows, maybe I'll be able to convert you to the dark side and get you on a team (hint hint, nudge nudge...Jason could use a few Calgary riders for the Cancer Crusaders camp down there ;) ).

No word on the route yet....I hear that a fair bit would be the same, but they are considering some changes...we'll have to see how things end up as we get closer to the date of the Ride.

Lizzie, that's too bad about the toothache....hopefully you'll heal up soon. Spin classes are a great way to train over the winter :)

-- Edited by Psycho Mike on Wednesday 14th of October 2009 05:49:54 AM

Corries Pookey · Senior Member

Lizzie,
Not a problem ... I have been fighting an bad tooth myself and didn't really feel like going out that night...lol....

Mike,
Hey man leave me some team members so I don't have to be so lonely...lol

Morrisjo,
Hi!!! Nice you know that you are still out there alive and kicking!!! Missed you picking on Mike... or was that the other way around...hmmm...

Psycho Mike · Guru

Hehehe....CTTC is still going strong, so there must be a lot of potential members down in Calgary, CP :) I just want to get things to a good level sooner rather than later :)

Morrisjo · Veteran Member

Hello Corries

Thanks for the welcome back, seems I got lazy and didn't pay attention to the site and then started going through withdrawal of not having that banter going with you guys, so had hoped that my old password worked and was happy to see it did. :)

Psycho Mike · Guru

Hehehe....banter away :)

Lizzie · Member

So it looks like I'll need to be buying a bike anyway as the mountain bike I have here in the city that I was going to train on does not fit me very well. So, does anyone have any suggestions where to go to get a good price, and where they are knowledgable so I can ask my umpteen-million questions about what kind to buy?

Diane · Member

Hi - not sure if you are in Calgary...if yes then I recently bought a road bike from Ridley's Cycle and was very happy with the service I received - and I had loads of questions too! If you mention that you are doing the ride they give 10% off.

Lizzie · Member

Thanks Diane. And yest I'm in Calgary, so I'll have a look at Ridley's and check it out. thanks.

Diane · Member

No problem! I know for sure there is 10% off accessories - I got it off my inside trainer so hopefully it will apply to bikes as well!

Have fun shopping!

Psycho Mike · Guru

There is also Calgary Cycle on Centre Street an 14 Ave (just south of 16 Ave / Highway 1). I don't know if they are an official outfitter yet, but I'm sure they would do similar for those in the Ride. Seemed plenty friendly when I was in there on Saturday.

Morrisjo · Veteran Member

Hey Lizzie

Also Cyclepath in the south end on Mcleod Trail is good and I think they offer the 10% to riders also. They have always been good when I have gone in there

Lizzie · Member

Thanks everyone. Looks like I have lots of places to look into and see what they offer.

Liz

Jason · Veteran Member

Any one going to the media event tomorrow in Calgary??

Diane · Member

Unfortunately too hard during work hours to get there. Looks like it would be fun though.

Jason · Veteran Member

I work pretty close so its not too bad

Psycho Mike · Guru

I'd love to be there....but it's a weee bit of a commute for a few minutes of photo shoot :(

It's too bad that they can't do a split shot from several centres in the province....say Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Lethbridge...with landmarks from each city in the background. I think that would make a wicked publicity shot for recruiting.

Corries Pookey · Senior Member

The shoot was great!!!! The true spirit of the ride could be felt! Damn my bike is heavy! LOL... I just got an email about the ride starting and ending in Calgary, any speculations? I agree banter away! And hey why aren't you signed up yet ... We will miss you if you don't come and join us Morrisjo
Tammy

Psycho Mike · Guru

My speculation would be and out and back (Calgary - Bar U Ranch (camp) - Calgary). It'll be nice coming back if that is the case (downhill!!!), but I think we'd miff more than a few drivers by closing Hwy 22X for 2 days.

Lizzie · Member

Hey Tammy,
I would have liked to go to the photo shoot but it was just too difficult during work hours. I'm glad it was fun! It would've been nice to meet up with you.

Would be great if the route back into Calgary was different from the route out. Have to wait and see.

abrokenshire · Senior Member

Morrisjo you dog. Get signed up already man if you haven't yet. Miss your playfull banter with Psycho Mike. Yep, I actually consented to join his team for the ride next year

I know, I've lost my mind, but he made me the "Dame of Justice" for the Cancer Crusaders, & I can't resist a fancy title.

Chime in again would ya?

Psycho Mike · Guru

hehehe.... See, I told you Annette would fit in the team perfectly ;)

Lizzie · Member

I need some advice here guys.
I'm wanting to buy a road bike - I need to buy a bike one way or the other and I figure I might as well get one that makes the ride a little easier with a lighter frame, tires that are less resistant on the road surface, and handlebars that give me the option of a few different positions. I would only be riding this bike in the city on bike paths &/or roads.

My husband was talking to a friend of his who he says does a lot of bike riding. He told my husband that I shouldn't get one with "skinny" tires as the tires blow out and go flat easier and more often. In the past (way in the past when I was 16!!) I owned a Puegot (spelling??) and rode it everywhere and never had any issues with the tires.

Has anyone had any bad experiences with the "skinny" tires? Does my logic for the choice of a road bike sound logical? I don't want to spend money on a type of bike that I'll regret buying. Also, I'm thinking this ride might become an annual occurence for me.

Thanks for any help I can get.

Psycho Mike · Guru

Lizzie,

I ride everything. My stable currently consists of 3 bikes: a cross-country/trail mountain bike, a Mercury road bike older than your old Peugeot and a cyclocross bike. Before I got the cyclocross bike (think of a road bike beefed up for some light off-roading), I had a singlespeed Raleigh roadbike. On top of it all, I'm the better part of 250 lbs when I've got all my gear on to go riding.

I haven't had an issue with skinny tires and flats. I have had a few, but that comes with putting 2000+ km under the wheels every year. Yes, the high pressure tires can be more prone to cuts from glass and sharp stones, but if you are running a quality tire, it's far less of an issue. The last two times I had problems with flats were a) when I had a Canadian Tire bike with very cheap tires...thorns and glass ripped them to shreds and b) when I was running too low a pressure in my mountain bike tires and was learning tricks...I kept whacking the back tire on stuff causing the rim to cut the tube (what's called a "pinch flat"...the tube is pinched between the hard surface/ tire and rim).

If you go for a road bike, make sure is a quality bike and has quality tires. Yes, it will be more expensive than getting a Walmart or Canadian Tire bike, but the adage "you get what you pay for" does apply to bikes. I'm not saying you need to break the bank, but find a good local bike shop, tell them what sort of budget you have in mind and what you'll be using the bike for and they should be able to find you something to meet your needs.

Also, don't feel you are limited to the type of tire that comes on the bike. A lot of companies make tires that are reinforced to help prevent flats from hitting stuff on the road with the "skinny" tires...Specialized has their "armadillo" series, Schwalbe has Marathon series tires that you can run over a tack with...the list goes on and on. If you're getting a bike from a bike shop, they are often willing to swap the tires even before you take your bike home from the shop.

I personally think your reasoning is sound...If you're going to be staying on paved trails and the road, then a hybrid (slick tired bike usually set up for comfort) or road bike sounds like what you're after. A cyclocross bike may also be an option because you can run it with "skinny" tires like a beefy road bike, but also have the clearance to run "knobby" tires for spring and fall riding (when there may be more gravel on the road and paths).

The most important thing is to find a bike that fits you as a rider and what you want to do with it....and then go ride, ride, ride ;)

-- Edited by Psycho Mike on Sunday 25th of October 2009 07:00:11 PM

Lizzie · Member

Thanks for all that fabulous advice, Mike. It really helps a lot. I'll be making a tour of all the bike shops in the city and see what they have to offer. What will help too is that my company has set up a "healthy lifestyle" reimbursement of $250.00, so that adds a little extra buying room for me.

Morrisjo · Veteran Member

Ok people I am back, I have decided to sign up again and will be joining a team called Spin for Life. This was a great group I trained with this past year. Okay they rode fast I admired the scenery.

Lizzie in regards to the bikes with the real thin tires, I saw a few near the beginning of the ride changing flats and for the bike aspect I did the ride in comfort on an old road bike I have had for over 20 years. :)

abrokenshire · Senior Member

Hey Morrisjo, welcome back man. Doesn't matter that you joined another team in the great Southern region (although I'm sure Mike would differ on that opinion). Good to hear from you, & look forward to meeting up with you either at the ride or maybe before for a training ride. biggrin

Corries Pookey · Senior Member

Welcome back Morrisjo! I am glad to hear that you have joined us once again!!! For the ride that is!

Morrisjo · Veteran Member

Thank you Corries, it should be fun and Now I need to get back in full swing of bugging the Psycho of the group. :)

Psycho Mike · Guru

hehehe...who could you possibly mean, Morrisjo? The Psycho Knight of Cancer Crusaders fame? :)

Morrisjo · Veteran Member

Okay I really need to start exercising so tomorrow I am at the gym during lunch and on the bikes. Gasp gasp oh man that took a lot out of me typing this much. Oh dang just knocked my bag of chips off the desk. puff puff.

abrokenshire · Senior Member

Just a word to the wise Morrisjo, Don't spill your pop on the chips. It just makes a sticky mess doh & you won't be able to salvage the chips .