[72andsunny]

Hi all,

I'm putting together a couple of all tandem teams for the Napa Valley (http://main.diabetes.org/goto/teamlasko2) (5/4/08) and Long Beach (http://main.diabetes.org/goto/teamlasko) (6/14/08) Tour de Cures.

We'll be riding the 100 mile course in Napa, and the 100 kilometer course in Long Beach. If you have a tandem, please join us for one or both rides (shorter routes are available).

If you can't make it out to California, the American Diabetes Association runs these tours all over the country. Find one near you and sign up (http://tour.diabetes.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TC_homepage&s_Affiliate=TC_)!

PS: Here's a picture of me and Greg Lemond at last year's kick off party. I'm pretty sure I'm faster than him (downhill, and only if the Mrs. decides to pedal).

[The BikeForums Team]

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Cya on the forums,
- The BikeForums Team
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[dfcas]

Thanks for posting this. We diabetics appreciate the funding for research.

[72andsunny]

Can anyone else believe how much trouble I am having getting people to tandem around Napa Valley with us?

Speaking of tandeming around Napa, what's a reasonable amount of time to allow for completing a century? My guess is the ride won't start until 7:30 AM, and I have French Laundry reservations at 5:45PM...and they won't let us eat there in bike clothes. Okay, I confess, I really just wanted to tell someone I had scored French Laundry reservations (it's a surprise for the stoker).

PS: If you are thinking about signing up for the ride, but were scared off by the $200 fundraising minimum: In previous years, the only penalty for not raising the "minimum" has been: you do not get a T-shirt. We usually have people on our team who raise a lot of money (like my wife), and a bunch of people who don't raise anything (except the registration fee)...so it all balances out. Also, we really need someone faster than us for drafting purposes...

http://main.diabetes.org/goto/teamlasko2

[Aemmer]

Having never been to Napa. I am just glad you clarified What French Laundry was....
Enjoy your ride and dinner.

[mrfish]

I've heard of French Laundry and I live in London.

Regarding time to do the century, it depends on the motors, the terrain, the weather and the company.

I think the number one tip for completing a long ride quickly is not to stop. It sounds obvious but 5 minutes here and 10 minutes there soon eats into your average speed. For example a rider doing a century at 15mph takes 6 hours 40 minutes. With lunch, a puncture and a few other refuelling and camera stops adding up to 1.5 hours he needs to do almost 20mph to complete it in 6 hours.

Riding within yourself for the first 50 miles will also help the cause. You don't want to be in severe pain while trying to enjoy a top class dinner, so I'd recommend being conservative. Turning yourself inside out to meet a target speed isn't a good idea.

In terms of going the distance, say you start at 7.30 and need to be back at 5 to get changed, your average speed needs to be at least 10.5mph. I would make a schedule and a couple of decision points en route to ensure you make it back in good time, even if you don't complete the route.

[Niobium Rocket]

I bet that many of the tandem riders will be doing the Wine Country Century in Santa Rosa the day before. I will be there with the Little Wifey.