Audax Ride Preparations:

The 45 Mile Audax Tune Up Ride is this coming Sunday.  Ride starts at 1:00.

How do you prepare for a long ride?  And more specifically, how does one prepare for the Audax 200K?  Read on.

Ride ~ ~ LOTS

Equipment:

Clothing:  Comfort is paramount.  Don’t (as in Do Not!) do this ride in new shorts, new shoes, new gloves.  This is not the time or place to be testing, or “breaking in” new equipment.   Wear stuff you know and are very comfortable in.  It’s funny, that pair of shorts that felt great in the store, and pretty good on the short club ride, can be a torture device of medieval proportions on a long ride.

The bike:  It should go without saying that your bike should be in top notch condition.  When was the last time you had it under a mechanic’s hand?  If you hesitated in answering that last question, it’s time to get it done.  Inspect your tires, cables, brake pads, rims, chain, spokes, all the most likely problem areas.

Supporting equipment:  Does your bike fit?  Have you had your fit checked?  Check your cleats!  Take everything out of your emergency pack and inventory it.  Do you have the necessary stuff?  Is it fresh and in good condition?  It’s amazing how doing this will teach you things.  Like:  “Oh.  That tube has a hole in it.  I put it back in there after that flat last fall, and I always meant to replace it.”  Wouldn’t you really rather have this “Homer moment” in the privacy of your home, as opposed to at the side of the road?

• Sunscreen
• Spare Tube(s)
• Patch kit
• Rain jacket
• Food
• Cash
• Tire levers
• Multi-tool
• Emergency ID
• Cycle Computer (with fresh batteries?)

A quick word on getting bike work done:  If you’ve waited until now, you are going to have to exercise some patience.  Every shop in the area has a sudden backlog of work.  Nice weather tends to do this.  Expect to be without your bike for several days.  If you’ve been procrastinating, get it done now!  If the bike is rideable, do the 45 Mile Tune Up this weekend, and then get the bike into the shop!!  (NOTE:  This makes a great argument for having two serviceable bicycles, doesn’t it?)

You (the engine):  Are you gradually building time on the bike?  Are you getting adequate rest and recovery time?  (Remember, yardwork and household repairs do not count as rest.  They are cross training at best!)  Be sure to take a day or two off for lighter workouts, or complete rest before each of the Tune Ups and especially before the Audax 200K itself.

What if I don’t think I’m ready for the Tune Up?  The answer to that is do it anyway.  Likely, you will make it.  You may be in better shape than you think.  On the other hand, you just might learn something of value, while there is still time to correct it.

Above all else,  get as much saddle time in as possible, and enjoy the process.  Hope to see many of you this coming Sunday!