Getting some gear

I really enjoyed my first experience through the back roads of Berryville in 2005. As winter was nearly over, I started to reconsider different hobbies to start up. I tried running again, but an old knee injury from college makes sure that I never go beyond a 5K run. So, I could either be tied to some elliptical machine inside or I could enjoy the outdoors on a bike. The decision was clear after my first Berryville experience. Also, cycling is a group activity that can include children and one that I can continue with the years to come.

I wanted to start off with a beginner road bike that I would be content with for a few years. Luckily, a number of manufacturers have begun bike lines for women and juniors that are perfect. After looking at various bikes, I decided on a Giant OCR 3.

Starter bikes can range in prices. After a little investigation, I believe you pay for what you get. While a $49 department store bike might be attractive to your wallet, they typically are the bikes that you’ll find neither comfortable nor well-performing over time – things that are important if you want a bike to last for more than one ride now and then. It is good to figure out what you want in a bike and how long you want it to last before you make a purchase. From what I have learned, there are several factors that make up a bike:

• composition - steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, titanium, etc. (They each can be found in different grades and they can vary dramatically in price.)
• components – gears, pedals, brakes, shifters, etc. (I believe the more you pay, the less it weighs and the smoother they might function. If you are a pro, weight is everything. You don’t have to have pro-level components to have a great bike.)
• wheels - I don't know much about them yet, but some sets cost a lot more than the price of my bike!!

Once I got my bike, I slowly acquired other gear. This included a pair of bike shorts (padding is a must!), jerseys (I like ones with zippers in the front to help regulate body temperature and open pockets in the back), bike computer (it is good to know how fast, what distance you have gone, and once you get more techy, your cadence – these all help to keep you motivated and keeps the rides interesting), cycling sunglasses (my everyday sunglasses were not cutting it, so a got a pair that keeps all of the flies and dust out of my eyes), and last, and most importantly, a helmet (I prefer ones with more vents to help the airflow on hot summers days). I have yet to venture into the clipless pedals (where your shoes are attached to your pedals). I still have my toe cages that I am happy riding with. Perhaps when September rolls around I will make the switch!

This new road bike fits me so well, I am not sure why I ever thought that road bikes would be uncomfortable. It is important that the bike you ride is the right size for you. I came across this website that does a good job explaining it! I actually went through the fitting process at a local bike store and highly recommend it if you just cannot seem to get the right position or experience recurring aches and pains. The bike shop just might have a solution for you.

From the beginning - Berryville 2005

Last year's ride at Berryville was my first "real" ride. Before I go any further I would like to say this was not the best way to approach a ride. At the time, I definitely would not consider myself as being in shape. All the muscles from my activities withered away during my final years in academics. Needless to say, a broken arm a half year earlier does not motivate one to go to the gym. Somehow, under the influence of others, I was finagled into participating in this beautiful ride. I found it to be good motivation to get in shape and start a real exercise regime.

A month before the ride I was determined to ride my mountain bike that I owned for past nine years. A couple of weeks before the ride, a good friend let me borrow his sister's road bike. This situation may have worked-out for the average person but the bike as too big for me. My torso was all stretched out; when stopping I needed to angle the bike so the tip of my toes could finally touch the ground; and I lacked all confidence. I was determined never to get onto a road bike again - or so I thought!

The week before the ride, I bought the one hybrid bike that fit me (did I mention that I am shorter than the average person?) and it happened to be on clearance. It was nothing fancy but would do the trick. I still had my old helmet and water bottles. I knew enough about biking to know that the padding in the shorts is well worth it! Luckily my friend had a pair of shorts that were too small for her, so I was all set.

I decided to ride 25 miles. Unfortunately, I did not do much preparing for this ride but I managed to finish it! Before we started, I was introduced to some bikers’ food - there are gels and energy bars.

This is us getting ready before the race (oops! I mean ride). Notice my face of the first taste of the gel. I heard that vanilla tastes the best, but I do not like them at all. Some people live on these gels but I prefer some type of chocolate energy bar at the first rest stop.

Here is a group of us at one of the first rest stops. The rest stops had plenty of food and drinks to replenish! Throughout the ride, the views were amazing. There are so many historic sites that we passed by!

Here is just another picture perfect rest stop (credit to James Nitao for ALL of the beautiful photos!). The weather was great and scenes were beautiful!

There was a mix of people riding in Berryville. There were some novices like myself as well as families and more advanced riders. Everyone was very nice and you get to see some interesting bikes. A few families and couples were riding tandem bikes but the one above was most unique!

About this blog

The FDA 5 are five employees training for different PPTC 2006 Historic Back Roads Century cycling routes in Berryville, VA. This year’s PPTC Century is sponsored by the FDA in honor of FDA Centennial. From this page you can monitor my trainings and goings-on relating to my preparation (or lack there of!). From my blog, I hope that you can get a picture of what it is like to prepare for the ride. Hopefully, you’ll be inspired to get out there both by my example and the thought: “Hey, if she can do it, so can I!” Feel free to offer comments, advice, tips, and encouragement.