Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Guidance Sought

Allow a preamble: The following is something that I posted at Active.Com. The more direct information available on this forum may cause the following to seem very general. However, I am choosing not to rewrite the following text as it expresses just how novice I am in this entire genre and also explains very well the information that I am seeking. I thank you all for your time!







To Whom It May Concern:

If the subject matter that I am about to present has already been brought forth on this forum then I apologize. If this is the case, I would greatly appreciate if you would lead me in the right direction.

However, I have this grand idea in my head and I need some sort of guidance of how to go about setting up such an endeavor. I would really like to participate in a long distance cycling journey.

However, I don’t even know where to begin to A) set up such an event for myself or B) join others that are already planning to do so. Here is my situation.

I am a prior service Army guy, current attending university classes in Tampa, Florida. I am 23 years old and, by my account, in pretty decent shape. However, while training continuously, I came to the realization that I was not training towards any sort of tangible goal. So, for a while, I have been tossing around the idea of attempting some sort of endurance event.

Here are my dilemmas: First, I do not know what my stamina level is. Of course, I could figure an educated guess at such with just some extended riding. What I am looking for here, however, is a distance that is typical but challenging for beginners. I am the sort that is ready to jump all in; i.e. without someone telling me otherwise, I see myself ready for a 900 mile trip up to D.C. :o

Secondly, as a student, I am woefully under funded, so to say. Are there organizations that will sponsor such willing individuals? I wouldn’t be looking for much, but just enough funding to get the travels underway. In turn, I could offer a journey website with the sponsor’s name prominently mentioned and acknowledgment of said sponsor during any sort of media exposure that may occur.

Finally… admittedly, I would be doing this ultimately for my own personal satisfaction. However, if given the opportunity, I would like to use my physical drive in such in an effort to positively fulfill some monetary cause (i.e. raise money for wounded troops).

I am posting all of this in hopes of finding someone that will guide me in the right direction. I am passionately serious about this idea. I am sure it has been completed before and is being completed by others more then many are aware. I would love advice for anyone with any experience or knowledge.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Steve B.

whiskey_boarder@hotmail.com

AIM: whiskeyboarder21
Yahoo Messenger: whiskeyboarder@yahoo.com
MSN IM: whiskey_boarder@hotmail.com

Try a century (100 miles)

http://www.machka.net/century.htm

Thank you. Very direct, brief and informative!

Finally… admittedly, I would be doing this ultimately for my own personal satisfaction. However, if given the opportunity, I would like to use my physical drive in such in an effort to positively fulfill some monetary cause (i.e. raise money for wounded troops).
in addition to Machka's suggestion of doing a century, I'd also suggest that you do a century that's associated with a charity. Medical cause charities are usually the most common (Tour De Cure for diabetes, MS 150 for Multiple Sclerosis, etc.) You can also participate as a volunteer, which will give you some background and exposure to what's involved in the logistics of running such an event. I know someone who's currently running his own charity event -- The Tri-State Challenge (http://www.tristatechallenge.com/) and he got his start as an AIDSride volunteer (ride coach and rider coordinator).

If, however, you're mostly interested in doing a solo fundraising effort (ie. publicized solo ride from Tampa to DC to raise money for wounded vets) then I'd still encourage you to cut your teeth with doing one or two charity rides to get your feet wet with both fundraising and distance riding. Most of the organizers are pretty good in training you up to do both.

Above and beyond the charity, and your personal goal, organized rides can be FUN. Soon I will line up with several thousand people who are kind of crazy like me! There will be cool bikes to look at, lots of people to joke with and the food/support is usually great. Pacelines can be a rush, and I've made friends and learned the most interesting things from other riders on big events. Not to mention, supported rides can be easier and you usually don't need to carry a bike lock.

Solo efforts are noble and have their place, and Man vs. Self is the ultimate challenge - but the community can make it fun. So if you hear me yell "Hey, you in the funny hat!" it's only a joke - please only throw EMPTY water bottles at me, a few dozen of the full ones begin to hurt :)

A lot of it is mental, if you think you are ready for a 900 mile trip, you may be.

Ultimately we're all doing it for our own personal satisfaction. Nothing wrong with that.

Hey Guys, Gals..

Thanks for the comments. I have been training hard. However, I have been doing so through running because I am currently bikeless. But your comments are appreciated. I can't wait to get my finances together so I can get out there and ride.

Thank you!