bigbones73

I read with great interest the posts for the California group planning to get together for their Tour de Cure event and I looked into the Minnesota version. Since I just started riding in August, I have never experienced a group ride of any kind. I am tossing around the idea of participating in this ride as a motivational tool. I also have Type 2 Diabetes so it is personal too. My question is, what distance would be appropriate for a newbie? The choices are 7, 18/27, 45, 62, and 100 miles. My furthest ride distance thus far is 12 miles. The race is scheduled for June 1st so I would have plenty of time to build a base. It will be in and around Minneapolis so there will be no mountains to deal with. I figure 7 is too easy and 100 miles is out of the question at this point. Any suggestions?

SteveSGP

Off the top of my head I'd say you'd be good to go for the 27 or 45 by then pretty easily.

If you can do 12 you should be able to do 27, I find comfort is more of an issue than muscle fatigue on longer rides but that's me.

There might not be any mountains around here but depending on the route it could have some pretty challenging hills. Any link to the details of the ride?

PhotoJoe 

If it were me, I'd aim for the 45. As the date gets closer, you'll know better and can adjust up or down. Whatever it is, I would push myself to accomplish a distance that I never thought possible. I like challenges. I like accomplishing them even more!

goldfinch

It is kind of going to depend on how early spring hits so you can ride. I would say try for the 45.

But I want to talk you into a different ride. The best ride I have ever done anywhere is the Tour of Lakes which is going to be June 1. There are two choices. A ride that will be 35 to 40 miles or a ride that will be 60 to 70 miles, depending on what route they pick. The long ride usually has at least one significant hill. The food is amazing. There will be many rest stops and you should be able to do the 35 to 40 ride by June 1. I did the long route last spring. It was my first 100k. The route goes around many lakes and through the woods. It will be in the Brainerd lakes area. The scenery is beautiful. It likely will be rolling hills but nothing tough on the shorter route.
https://www.paulbunyancyclists.com/To...f%20Lakes.html

But I understand if you want to do the Tour de Cure. That would be fun too!

bigbones73

Hmmmm. I had forgotten about the Tour of Lakes ride. That might be better for my first big outing since it is more in my neighborhood (we are about 30 miles south of Brainerd). Thanks for mentioning that.

TrojanHorse

I would say sign up for the metric century... and build up to at least a 40 mile ride between now and June 1. If you find that for whatever reason you aren't ready to tackle a 60 mile ride, you can always ride the shorter one when you get there.

But do sign up for something that will inspire you.

Pamestique 

Cool thing about many event rides is that you can sign up for a long distance and then day of opt out for shorter. I have also done the opposite (my first century I signed up for 50 and ended up doing 108!). Event rides are cool... you will be nervous but those nervous and the other riders will get you excited and you will be amazed at how far you can push yourself.

I have participated in the So Cal version of Tour de Cure for about 12 years. My loved one also has Type 2 and I ride with a group in memory of my departed love one who died of diabetes related illnesses. Great cause... sign up and ride for yourself. Do the 45 or metric your first time and then work towards the century the following year... June is a long way off. If you keep at it you should easily be able to do 45 if not 62. Just make sure you develop a base of at least 20 - 30 miles a week the month before the ride. You should be able to ride at least 35 miles without too much effort. Look into how to be properly hydrated and nutrition on longer rides and you are good to go!

GOOD LUCK!

vesteroid

this 100%

with all that training time, a flat metric will be cake...there is no speed requirment.

CraigB

You referred to the ride as a race. I don't know if you really think it is one, or if that was just a slip of the keyboard, but let me tell you without reservation that it's not a race. So if that was factoring into your thinking, don't let it. You only need to ride as fast as you want. The only thing you should be concerned about is what distance you can ride by then. I agree with the finch that your abilities will likely be determined by how soon spring arrives in your neck of the woods, or if you have access to any indoor riding equipment in the meantime, like an indoor trainer or spin classes at the gym. Also, it could be determined by how determined you are in getting out and riding in marginal conditions.

If you're serious in your planning, and follow your training regimen faithfully, you will absolutely be able to pull off at least a metric.

bigbones73

Yes, I realize that it is not a race. Definitely a brain fart.

I have a stationary bike that I can use when the weather gets really bad. The temp has been in the 20's here lately and I have still been riding in that kind of weather. I also have put studded tires on a mountain bike so that I can ride at least some outside miles after the snow comes (we are supposed to get 6" tonight). My plan is to do some indoor and some outdoor to at least maintain my current level of fitness. I'm thinking that focusing on the need to prepare for a lengthy ride in June will help me to stick to a winter regimine.

SteveSGP

Be careful in the snow, I wrecked last January and my shoulder is still screwed up.

SteveSGP

Thanks for the heads up, not sure I'll do the ride but the Paul Bunyan trail looks fantastic!

curly666

Have done several in the Milwaukee area, good ride for a good cause. If you have diabetes you would qualify as a "Red Rider" and are given a special jersey to wear indicating to others that you are a diabetic doing the ride. This is usually a group ride at you own pace and not a race as you are indicating.

goldfinch

The ride is really worth doing. It costs only $25 and you get a t shirt and more food than anyone could possibly eat that is tasty and homemade. Rest stops have entire meals.

And yes, the Paul Bunyan trail is fabulous too.

bigbones73

You sold me on the Tour of Lakes. I emailed the director and she will put me on their mailing list. This sounds like the best option for me at this point.

goldfinch

You won't regret it. Maybe we can meetup at the event.

bigbones73

We definitely should meet up at the TOL. I'm pumped for this! 6" of snow tonight and I'm thinking about June 1. You guys got out of here just in time.

Myosmith

I would really encourage you to do the Tour de Cure. It's a great ride for a great cause. Don't be too afraid of distance as it isn't a race and there is plenty of time for rest stops and going at your own pace, especially in the mid-distances. Just FYI if the June 1 ride in the cities doesn't work for you there is a Tour de Cure in Fargo, ND, on June 15th. You couldn't ask for a flatter route. Last year the maximum grade was 3% and that was the overpass over I-29.

bigbones73

Thanks for the info on the ND Tour de Cure Myosmith. I like the idea of riding in the Tour de Cure and the Fargo event might be a good solution to the date conflict in MN with the Tour of Lakes. Are you riding in the Fargo event?

goldfinch

I might do the Fargo event. I'll probably do the long ride for TOL and pick a shorter ride for the Fargo Tour de Cure. Myo, do you know if the routes overlap or are they separate?

Myosmith

If anyone is interested in riding in the Fargo Tour de Cure and is looking for a team, PM me and I'll send you the information on the team I ride with.

RobertL

Thanks for posting this Goldfinch. The ride sounds great, I just may be there in June.