PREPARATIONS

The Ironclad Rule:
Make absolutely no changes to your rig for at least two weeks prior to an event.
No new shorts, bike fit, saddle, bar tape, gloves, socks, helmet, pedals, tires, computers, heart rate monitors, food types, athletic beverages, etc. If your bike needs tuning before the ride, get it done now! If you are thinking about a new piece of equipment or food, get it and start using it now. A long event is not the time to be experimenting.

Fundamental Principles:
1) Take everything you will need.
2) Don't carry anything you don't have to.
3) Take nothing that you haven’t tested thoroughly.
4) Try to make everything you take do at least double duty.
5) Prepare for the widest range of likely conditions.

You will have noticed that there is a bit of dynamic tension between some of those principles. Each rider will need to resolve those issues, and each rider's solutions will be unique. "Need" can be totally subjective. Hopefully the rest of this post will help to clarify a bit.

What you must have with you:
1) Two spare tubes in your bike’s size.
2) Any unique spares.
3) A good bright flashing tail light with fresh batteries in it.
4) Sufficient ride food, or money to buy it at the stops.
5) At least two water bottles.
6) Your helmet
7) Any meds that you must have.
8) Identification and (if necessary) medical alert information
9) Your best smile.

Strongly recommended:
1) Sunscreen
2) A good lubricant for your shorts (you will need to re-apply during the day)
3) Reflective ankle bands
4) Sunglasses
5) A bandana or two
6) A spare pair of good dry socks.

Things you must do:
1) Contact me and tell me you are going.
The.Road.Dragon@gmail.com
2) Get $27.00 to me before September 25, 2008
3) Get me to inspect your bike at least two weeks prior to the ride. (A bit sooner is a good idea.)

Things you won’t need (because I’ll carry them):
Pump
Tools
First aid kit
Navigational equipment
Cell phone

About clothing preparations: Watch the weather as we get closer to the ride date. Early October is a time when North Georgia could do almost anything. Likely it will be temperate and dry, but it could be cool, and rain can’t be ruled out. Consider, if it looks like a day that will start cool, a rain jacket can double as a windshell. Remember, if you start out with it, you will carry it all day. Choose wisely.