Tour de Scottsdale : Official Thread

If it makes you feel any better I've never ridden with more than 10-15 people and I've never ridden more than 40 miles, so you are in better shape than I am! I'm looking forward to the challenge and think the big groups will make it easier, good luck.

Which distance are you riding, 30 miles or 70 miles? I decided to start with 30 miles since I have a full marathon Nov 3 in New York. I plan on riding 70 miler at Tour De Scottsdale next year and Tour De Tucson next year maybe 80 miler there.

if you are that worried, just stay off the back.

other helpful tips: hold your line, hold your line, and hold your line. pay attention, don't half wheel, don't come out of the saddle if someone is close behind you, and be sure that you call out obstructions in the road, changes in pace, and turns.

there are lots of good local rides at various paces that you can practice riding in a group. i know that the west valley ride has a "c" group that is good for beginners. bicycle ranch has a "c" ride that covers some of the TDS course, and faster bike shop is doing sunday rides along the course with a fast and slow group.

Good point, I usually ride with a smaller group on Saturdays in the east valley. There is a group that rides Saturdays from Two Wheel Jones Bike Shop and they often have A, B and C groups according to speed. I did ride with them on a 35 mile ride a couple of years ago. They tried to teach me drafting but I had an old Steel road bike then and I never really got used to shifting gears off center post and so the next year I bought a Trek Carbon Madone road bike. I can at least keep up with 15-18 MPH group now as long as there aren't too many hills.

I decided to do the safe thing and just go all out for the 70 mile ride! I rode 50 miles today so I'm hopeful that I won't die at the race

Great, I only rode 21 miles this morning but I am concentrating mostly on running to get ready for New York Marathon Nov 3

Just a fyi...If you have a tri bike, they wont let you ride. They banned aero bars this year so if you can remove your aero bars, I would do it. I even contacted them directly mentioning that I have done this ride the last two years on my tri bike but I dont ride in Aero unless there is nobody in front of me. I understand why they banned them, just frustrating for me.

Aside from that...its a great ride and very scenic. Enjoy it.

Thanks, I had seen that rule change somewhere so I have done a few training rides on my road bike with Aero bars removed. It seemed weird at first and it really has only been a year or two since I first tried Aero bars, now it is weird but I think I'll be okay fo\r 30 miles this time. It is next year when I go for 70 or 80 miles in this race and/or Tour De Tucson.