Cycle North Carolina -> -> 1st Timers-Many questions
Post Info TOPIC: 1st Timers-Many questions
Jacqui Adams Tracy Roof

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1st Timers-Many questions
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HI All:


I've read some of the posts and still have questions.


First, I didn't see a map on the web site showing what roads etc. will be used on this route nor what each days mileage and elevation change will be.  I did see the overall profile map, but it stated this was not the actual elevation change, just ballpark.  If I could get the actual roads being used, we could put it into a GIS program and probably get the elevation changes outselves (and glad to share if we pull it off).


Second, We are concerned about the entire 7 days given our current biking level; and noticed in one email string a poster stated they didn't care for the last 3 days because there was no challenge!  That sounds perfect for us!  Given it's our first time--perhaps that would be the best way to get our feet wet (so to speak).  Can folks give us some feedback on the first 4 vs. the last 3 days as it applies to conditions of hill climbing, heat/weather, traffic, and scenery.


Re: our current condition and biking levels:  Right now we are pretty new to the road biking scene.  We've biked on and off both road and gravel road/mt. for a couple years probably more like 1-2 times per week.  I use to bike 30 miles 3 times a week in New York State--but that was in the late 90s.  AT this point, we definitely ride 1/week and are working at 2-3 times.  But, the mileage is:  12-15 miles on a moderately hilly location on weekday evening, 25 miles on a rolling hill location on weekend ride.  May sound like an excuse, but we work 4 ten hour days and it's hard to fit in rides during the week.  Are we totally crazy to try even the 3-day trip?  My cousin, who we ride with sometimes, assures us we would definitely be able to do the whole thing.  But I"m a bit worried about stamina and fitting in the recommended training plan we found on the web site.  (just because of work schedule, not lack of desire to do so!!)


Third, we are considering doing our own shuttling given we have two cars both capable of carrying the bikes.  Does anyone else do that, and are there places to park for folks who do that?  Are the parking locations safe?  Honestly, I just got a brand new road bike and am a bit concerned about getting it piled in with a bunch of bikes (scratches etc.)  By 2007 I should be over that concern having put my own scratches on it . . .?  (we also have an offer from friends on carpooling--and may go that way--but would like to look at the "do it ourself" option given our thinking of doing the 3-day option this year).


?Whew, I hope that wasn't too many questions in one email! Perhaps 4 different emails would have been preferreed?


 



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bikerbro

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I can answer your first question somewhat definitively at least. They don't post the route. If you sign up, you get the route in your packet I think. There is probably a good reason for this, but I don't wish to waste brain power figuring out why.


As far as your fitness level, I've heard others say that the sitting in the saddle is the hard part. If you can do a 60 mile day, get up the next day and do another, you're probably all set. Somewhere on this site, there is an 8 week training plan. I bike commute to work, so I get in riding time on my lunch break and before and after work on some days.


I don't know about parking, though I had the same new bike concerns. My wife and kids will take me out to the mountains and visit her parents there. We will then meet at the beach at the end of the ride, and we've set up to stay a few extra days there in a hotel.



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billster

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Not quite sure what you mean by car shuttling, 1 car at your start point and one car at the end point to haul bikes and gear? I suppose that is doable, i have seen alot of people leaving the end points in private cars. Lots of people have new bikes on this ride. To protect my paint i buy foam pipe insulation and a roll of electrical tape. I wrap all the tubes. i have not had a scratch yet due to the bike transport. Additionally, each bike is loaded on the truck and cardboard separates them, pedals are removed, handlebars turned to the side.


Fitness levels? Well it has been said if you can do 40, you can do 60. Keep eating and drinking as you ride, if you get tired gear down and spin. The last 3 days are relatively flat to the coast. If the hills are too tall, get off and push.



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Bruce

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The route is not published because they do not want freeloaders riding with the tour or private SAG vehicles supporting riders.  You get the route maps for the whole week when you check in. 


If you can get to the point where you can do back-to-back 35-40 mile days you will be able to do the CnC week.  Use chamoise cream before each day's ride and have 2 different brands of good-quality cycling shorts.  The hardest part isn't so much the cycling as it is the hours in the saddle.  It's not a race.  Some people finish by 11 AM each day, but others take a leisurely tour and arrive at camp at 5 PM.  There are rest stops and opportunities to get off the bike, see some sights, eat and drink, tour a winery or historic landmark, etc.  You would be amazed that there are people who complete this event who look like they couldn't walk up a flight of stairs.  The oldest participant is in his 80's (hi Roland!).  Again, it's not a race.


Don't worry about shuttling cars - use the bus service.  If you live near Raleigh-Durham (as many participants do) or are flying in you can catch the bus from Cary to the start and from the finish back to Cary (near the RDU airport).  Otherwise you can choose to park at the start and then take the bus back to the start at the end of the ride or park at the finish and take the bus to the start the morning before the ride.  The bus is a great option - however you want to do it.



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outback

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Try not to get too bogged down with the details. The folks at CNC are very organized and they put on a great ride. Their transportation system for gear,bikes and people have most of the bugs worked out and I have never had a problem. What you want to do, each day, is to enjoy the beautiful scenery that we have to offer and  meet all the other friendly bikers, support staff and home town folks on the tour. Relax!!!  Have fun!!! As far as the training is concerned, you have almost three months before the ride starts, so there is plenty (even with a 4/10 hr work schedule)  of time to get in enough saddle time in to make the trip fun. See you in OCTOBER.

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jacquisun

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outback wrote:

Try not to get too bogged down with the details. The folks at CNC are very organized and they put on a great ride. Their transportation system for gear,bikes and people have most of the bugs worked out and I have never had a problem. What you want to do, each day, is to enjoy the beautiful scenery that we have to offer and  meet all the other friendly bikers, support staff and home town folks on the tour. Relax!!!  Have fun!!! As far as the training is concerned, you have almost three months before the ride starts, so there is plenty (even with a 4/10 hr work schedule)  of time to get in enough saddle time in to make the trip fun. See you in OCTOBER.

Thank you  bikerbro  billster  Bruce  outback for your responses to the multi question email.  my fiance and i wanted to get as much info as we could given our newness to the road bike scene and having never done group events before.  This is quite a big jump for us.  We always drive our local routes before biking them--so I guess you can see we have a tendency to try and know what we are going to encounter in advance!


I appreciate the info we got so far--about how careful they are with the bikes etc. 


I understand now why the route isnt divulged.  Alternatively, given I assume the same folks plan each year, perhaps some info on past rides might be a good indicator.  Such as, is it all back country roads, low traffic levels etc.? 


And, some indication on the mountain vs. peidmont hill stuff.  I know I can always get off and push----but would like to avoid it if I can work up to the level I might encounter over the next few months!  I have a tendency to not want to give in  


Anyways, knowing my cousin is going to participate (Steve Remson of Brevard) and he has assured us we are definitely in good enough shape to do this--I guess I'll work on the advice of outback to  Try not to get too bogged down with the details. Relax!!!  Have fun!!!


Thanks again,


Jacqui & Tracy





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John0210

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Saddle time is everything. If your butt hurts you are miserable. Go for the whole week, you can do it.  It is a great time.  Just like being back in college, with no studying. Alternate camping & motels or use Bubba. A week long ride like this is a hoot.

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Whistle Dog

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About back roads: The CNC folks do a great job at finding quite contry roads. Someone once wrote that if you lay out a NC DOT road map, mark all the over night towns, then draw a straight line from town to town you will never be more than 10 or 15 miles off the center line. In that zone look for Points of Intrest, state parts, vineyards and Historic sites. Chances are we will be visiting those places. I have found this is a pretty good rule of thumb.


Riding Time:This will be my 7th year and I normally roll into camp between 3:30 and 5 oclock. There is always someone riding faster than me and I'm being pass all day long. Thats OK my friends are waiting for me when I get into camp. Some are old friends and some I haven,t met yet. You will find people from all walks of life. You never  know who  you may meet. It's like the bicycle is the great equalizer. So come on out. Have a good time. I normally have only around a 1000 miles logged by the start of the ride and I do fine.


Take Care, Ride safe


Whistle Dog



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Eric

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Don't worry about the map/route, etc. Look up the towns on the internet and then find a site with a topographical map, if elevation changes concern you. As for doing a 3 day or the whole 7 day ride, just fit in as much riding as your personal and work life permits. But you have to set a goal of riding X days each week and to log (yes: write your rides down and track your mileage, average mph and ride times) each ride. You'll want to be able to duplicate the longest days of riding in NC during your training program, but that doesn't have to happen until near the end of your training. If you are able to duplicate the long days earlier in the training, that's great. Then you can work on increasing average speed and endurance. However, your goal is to finish each day comfortably and to be able to get up the next day and do it again. It's not a race; it's a ride. Eat sensibly now, during training and during the ride. There are tons of informative web sites, as well as books, on the subject of training and endurance. Enjoy the training and you'll love the ride!

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Eric

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Here's a web site that's worth delving into. Go to: www.cptips.com.  There is lots of FREE informaton on how to train and what to eat during training and during a ride. Some of it is technical and some applies to racers. Just ignore what doesn't apply to you. The key thing to get out of the site is establishing your base (mileage) duriing training and to ride a few back to back days about a week or so before the ride. That way your body and mind get used to it. Good luck!

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loren in jacksonville

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jacqui/tracy,


 


       if steve remsen is your cousin, whatever he tells you take his advice and you will be fine. 


enjoy the week.


                                        loren in jacksonville    


 


 


 



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