Some info for you bicycling dudes

I asked my brother, the bicycling fiend, for info about charity rides.  Since I know that many of you are goal oriented, I thought these might be reasonable goals for you to shoot for.  He said that the American Diabetes Assoc puts on "Tour de Cure" in several states.  The MS society also does great rides.  Both of those are particularly nice in that one can start with the 30 mile rides and progress to the 50, 80, and the multi-day 150 miles. My brother has been on several monstrous rides including AIDS rides from Boston Common to Central park in NYC and San Francisco to LA.. This past summer he did a ride accross Iowa and a week later did a ride from Toronto, Canada to Portland ME.  He trains by riding about 25 to 35 miles a day in preparation for the long rides--the rides above each took several days.  This coming summer he's taking a ride accross America with a group called America by Bicycle.  I don't know anything about them other than their name. NOTE:  Even if you are not sure whether you can do a full 30 mile ride, you are gathering pledges for charity and any distance you do is helpful.  There is no shame in not finishing the ride.  A bus or van will take you the rest of the way to the finish line.

Well since my knee turns to **** everytime I run on it biking seems like my only choice. Thanks for the info I will look into it. Derrick

Great thread, SJ! The shorter routes on the charity rides are also a great way to get other members of your family to MOVE! For instance, my 10 year old daugther and I are going to ride in the Elephant Rock Classic this spring and will do the 28 mile course. I've ridden the 100 mile course the last 2 years but she's not yet ready for a century.  The Elephant Rock event is very meaningful to me personally since it was the first 100 miler I did after WLS. Eleven months after WLS to be exact and let me tell you, completing it was quite an emotional event for me. Even shed a few tears quite frankly  (in a manly way of course  ) when I thought about how far I had come physically over the prior year.  Also, I need to let you know that I've added a ride across America to my personal bucket list (Tour de Fat). Large time committment obviously but WHAT A GOAL! Give your brother my best (I envy him). Boner

I am planning on riding the MS 150 this summer with my brother in Texas.  It is two day from San Antonio to Corpus Christi.  My brother has MS and rode it last year.  When I got serious about WLS last Dec. I told him I was going to ride with him this year.  I am so looking forward to it.  I am planning to buy a nice bike with tax refund money.  Any suggestions for a good road bike that is still comfortable, not sure if I could do the full tuck for the whole ride.

Lots of variables in choosing the right bike. Like how much do you want to spend, how much do you weigh (don't want a carbon bike unless you're 250 or below), new or used, etc. Lots of great bikes out there including Trek, Specialized, Fuji. The majority of my road riding is done up on the brake hoods (see pic in profile) so I'm not down in the drops unless I'm training or trying to get away from dogs. Pretty comfortable position actually. Some new riders have a problem with the skinny seat so many will opt for either a hybrid bike (sit more upright and a more cushy seat) or a recumbant bike (sit down bike).  Completing a MS150 ride in the summer heat of Texas will be no walk in the park, I'm sure. Best of luck in completing your goal!! Boner

Actually, the Texas MS 150 is in October. I hope to be under 250 by then but I am also planning on running a sprint triathlon  in August  here in Michigan and hope to even be under 250 by then but I will need to start training late spring in a couple of months so I will not be under 250.  I have a specialized mountain bike hard tail and like it alot.  So I like the brand, I have been think about a steel hybrid to sacrifice weight and speed for comfort.  I think on the long bike ride it will be the comfort that will hurt me the most.  The MS 150 is more of a to finnish the thing than to be fast.

My SIL in Ohio has MS and my wife, her husband and a few other family members are riding in the 150 miler from Cleveland to Sandusky this August.  I don't think I will be ready by then, but I am working on it. Regards,

Thanks Bob  I am planning on making a few of those rides myself this summer . I know that MS has a ride here in Ut .The diabetes assoc does a ride here in Ut . too . Both are really good rides ,and do great things for those who suffer from MS or Diabetes .

The MS ride takes place up in the higher alt. , LIKE ABOUT 8000 Ft elevation WOW . That just might be a tough one .   Thanks   Nick