One thing I forgot to add:  get in some running or weight lifting a couple of times a week.  Studies show that over time, non-impact aerobic exercise like cycling and swimming alone, can leach out calcium from your bones.  Impact sports, on the other hand, tend to stimulate bone formation.  It is also a good idea to make sure your diet always includes some calcium rich foods like dairy products.  Of course a coach from Wisconsin is going to say that!

Good luck!

We have about 40 Wisconsin riders this year. Majority, as usual, from the Milwaukee area.

Where are you from in Ohio?

We are fortunate to have a large group of alumni who ride year after year.  They are also an outgoing group of people who do a lot of recruiting year round.

As coaches, we try to make sure that none of the new folks are left  behind.

I am in the San Francisco area we have nothing but hills and rollers infact we rarely have a flat ride in mind. We ride in the rain and that was interesting as I had no idea that my tires and the person's tires in front of me would make the road yuck go right in my face area. I had to keep the smiling down to a minimum. We are up to our 65 mile now and it is all hills and rollers, our coaches talked about how the other teams in various parts train. I would be worried myself if I trained mostly in doors then challenge the hills that we have worked o quickly. I know it all works they tell me ever ride I complete that I am getting stronger.

Phil,

We are getting lots of mileage in our ride schedule on our own is as follows: Tuesday 25 miles, Wednesday 25 to 30 miles, Then team rides on Saturdays and every other Saturday are Buddy Rides. We also can do Saturday and Sunday rides back to back as our area mixes the Tahoe riders with the Seattle to Portland team STP. We have 6 more 75 to 80 milers scheduled and 35 to 40 miles during the week on your own. Next Saturday we are going to Half Moon Bay for the 70 mile. Today's ride  60 mile I believe,weather will be in the 80's.  This is my first year with Team In Training I was going to do the 200 mile STP ride but thought start with something you are familar with. I go to Tahoe all the time and driven around the lake before so I had some idea as to see if it was beyond me or not. I am positive that if I do decide to do this again I am going to get a Road Bike. Right now I am riding my Mountain Bike and I am the only person on my team with a Mountain Bike. I do come in last most times on our rides so my start time is like 7:00 am and that means that I usually have to wake up at 4:30 am to drive to these rides. It must be a mind bender to join in your area knowing or not knowing how the training schedule will be. In our area indoor spin class is not what they want you to do They teach us to be aggressive down hills with breaking techniques. I don't think I ever descended before on street riding at 45mph I was flying but loved it and only wish it lasted longer as another big climb was in front of me. Great to hear from you Phil if you can give me any usefull information I welcome it.

"GO TEAM"

.Kimpossible.