Pacific Northwest - My first ride ever is "Reach the Beach" on May 15

Title pretty much says it all.

I was a 20+ year smoker and quit last October. Bought my first somewhat "real" road bike in Feb. and set this years "Reach the Beach" as my goal (it falls on my 38th birthday). I have been riding and training my legs and lungs and now as it gets closer I have a few new concerns...

Rider etiquette - Being a new rider I may not be able to keep pace with others, is there a certain way to allow faster more experienced riders to pass?

Is anyone else on here riding in it? Is it as relaxing a ride as they make it out to be? I am a competitive person but right now my biggest competition is myself!

Any suggestions in ride etiquette would be appreciated!

Etiquette: Stay right, pass left, announce yourself (either bell or "passing" or "on your left" or whatever), signal your turns & stops, don't draft without asking. The usual stuff.

You should consider buying (and getting used to using) a rear view mirror. I've tried several helmet-mounted versions, and I just can't find one I like. I've used a handlebar-mounted mirror for years. I feel awkward riding without it. I'm a slow rider, so I find the mirror useful to see who's coming up fast to pass me. :)

FWIW, Reach the Beach is an awesome ride. My wife & I rode the century route (starting in Beaverton) the past two years; we'd do it again this year, but we'll be out of the country that weekend. Here are a few photos from last year's ride: http://www.flickr.com/photos/keith_and_kasia/sets/72157618345672835/

Enjoy!

Just ride predictable. Fast riders will know how to pass so all you need to concentrate on is not making any unexpected moves.

I was thinking of doing this ride. Is it one where you have to raise money or just pay the registration fee? I looked on the site, but I didn't grasp which one you have to do.

Etiquette: Stay right, pass left, announce yourself (either bell or "passing" or "on your left" or whatever), signal your turns & stops, don't draft without asking. The usual stuff.

You should consider buying (and getting used to using) a rear view mirror.

Enjoy!

I do have a bar mounted mirror and find it handy to have (a discreet one on the end tube) and as far as drafting, well... I don't think that's a concern yet :)


Just ride predictable.

Is it one where you have to raise money or just pay the registration fee? I looked on the site, but I didn't grasp which one you have to do.

Predictable should be easy enough... as for the ride you are required to either pay or raise a minimum of $75. I dedicated my ride to a dear friend of mine who just went through a rough battle with lung cancer and through emails only I have raised $275 so far! Not bad I thought.

Depending on the number of miles and lenth of rides you have under your belt since you quit smoking, and this is your 1st 'big ride', where are you planning to start from?

Amity is 55 miles. Have you ridden that far yet? If so, you should be OK. If you are working up to that distance, this could be a good time to go for it, since there are lots of rests stops and other riders on the road.

Its a great ride, that is very well supported. And like the others said, just ride in a straight line, and if you are slow, try to stay to the right. Only part of the ride I don't like is the last stretch to the finish where they route you onto a bike lane on the wrong side of the road.. lol, but its well worth it once you are back with a pint of pelican brew in your hand. :)

Depending on the number of miles and lenth of rides you have under your belt since you quit smoking, and this is your 1st 'big ride', where are you planning to start from?

Amity is 55 miles. Have you ridden that far yet? If so, you should be OK. If you are working up to that distance, this could be a good time to go for it, since there are lots of rests stops and other riders on the road.

Amity is the route that I am riding, I have been working up to it and have one ride of 72 miles under my belt so far (only 1 of 2 over the fifty mile mark). I have just never done anything in a group of more than 1 :)


Can't wait for this one though!

Packet Pickup is tomorrow - point of no return for me!

Make sure you're ready for rain. Fenders, rain gear, etc.

Extended forecast is looking positive, but its generally cooler at the coast, so plan accordingly. Its easy to get hot while riding, but when you're sitting in the shade in pacific city...it can get downright chilly. I believe they let you leave a backpack at the start, and will transport it to the finish for you. I generally toss a pair of shoes or sandals, jeans, tshirt and a hoody or something in there.

Im pretty used to the weather at the coast - I live in Rockaway Beach and work in Garibaldi, so it's like I am just riding home :) The only thing I am getting concerned about is the winds. Whenever its warm in Salem/Portland it is always windy at the beach. Hopefully we can finish before the afternoon winds get too bad!