AIDS/LifeCycle

Training Ride Calendar

Our organized training rides are the best possible way to prepare for your 545-mile journey. They are held frequently, both on weekends and during the week. They are of varying distances and terrains, and are led by experienced volunteers who will be very happy to answer your questions, address your concerns, and maybe help you change your first flat tire (then teach you how to do it yourself). And there's another plus -- it's an opportunity to meet some of the other participants, so when you get to the event in June, you'll already be surrounded by friendly, familiar faces.

Training rides are also an important experience in group riding, a benefit to your own and everyone else's safety. If you're used to riding alone or with just one other person, you'll have to adjust to being surrounded by many other cyclists, learn how to safely pass and be passed, and get accustomed to calling out signals so that others know exactly what you're doing. AIDS/LifeCycle has several saftey rules for you to follow while on training rides and the event in June. Included in these rules which you will hear about on Training Rides you should familiarize yourself with the California Vehicle Laws regarding Bikes

Our Training rides are not limited to AIDS/LifeCycle registered riders. We encourage everyone to join our rides. Our Training Rides are led by highly experienced and trained volunteers.

Important Things Cyclists Should Know ...
How to choose a training ride fit for your abilities

When choosing a ride, take into account your own cycling ability. Choose a ride based on your present cycling skill. Don't over extend yourself by choosing a ride that is either too long or has Terrain (too many hills) that you have not achieved prior to the ride.

Our rides are rated in the following areas: Category, Terrain and Length. One of the most important ratings to consider when choosing a ride to join, is the Category. The Category rating determines the average pace of the group.

The following legend includes important information for you to evaluate your own cycling ability before choosing a ride from our Calendar.

Category - this rating determines the pace level of your group you will ride with. The mph rating is the average speed you will need to achieve during the ride. This is determined by how long it takes you to complete the mileage. i.e. if you ride 20 miles and it takes you 2 hours (don't count your break time), then your average for the ride is 10 mph.

    * Category 1 = Slow pace (8-10 mph)
    * Category 2 = Medium pace (10-12 mph)
    * Category 3 = Moderate - Fast pace (12-15 mph)
    * Category 4 = Very Fast pace (15 mph and above)

Terrain - this rating will determine the elevation gains (climbing hills) you will do on your ride.

    * 1 = mostly flat
    * 2 = rolling hills
    * 3 = rolling hills with some steep climbs
    * 4 = steep hills, long climbs

Length - this figure will determine the miles you will be riding during your training ride. YOU should not attempt to ride beyond your present cycling skills. A good rule of thumb is to not join a ride that is over 10 miles in length than your previous riding experience.

RSVP To a Ride - As a courtesy to training ride leaders, please RSVP between 9am and 9pm only, either by phone or email. We appreciate your RSVP. It allows leaders to know how many route cue sheets and waiver forms to bring and also helps them determine if they need more leaders based on number of riders.

Meet Time - The Meet Time indicated on each ride, is when cyclists will be gathering. RIDE-OUT TIME is usually 1/2 hour after the Meet Time. Please be courteous to the other riders and arrive promptly. Upon arrival you will be REQUIRED to sign a WAIVER.

Waivers - All cyclists are required to sign a Safety waiver prior to the safety speech. No waivers will be signed once the Safety Speech Begins. Cyclists under 18 must be accompanied by their parent/guardian who will need to sign a waiver. (Parent/guardian need not ride, just sign the waiver).

Ride Out Time - All start times will be strictly adhered to. 20 minutes prior to Ride-Out time, leaders will offer group stretching followed by a description of the ride. 5 minutes prior to Ride Out leaders will present the Official Safety Speech. Attendance for this speech is MANDATORY. No talking will be allowed during this time. Failure to be in attendance or talking during the speech will exclude you from riding with the group.
What do you need to bring

Mandatory Items:

    * All riders must wear a CPSC, ANSI, Snell, or ASTM approved helmet at all times.
    * Your bike in good mechanic working condition
    * Bike pump
    * Spare tube and or patch kit
    * Tire Irons
    * At least one full water bottle
    * Photo ID
    * Emergency contact information

Suggested items:

    * Layered clothing for temperature changes
    * Extra water bottle with Gatorade or equivalent electrolyte drink
    * Camel Back for longer rides
    * Small bike tool kit
    * Medical Insurance Card
    * Cash or Credit card for incidentals i.e. lunch on longer rides.
    * Cell phone

Safety Rules - Due to the varied levels of cycling ability within the AIDS/LifeCycle community it is crucial that we require safety rules which will allow all of you to have a safe and injury free experience. At the beginning of each training ride you will be required to hear a safety speech. Your safety as well as the safety of those you are riding with depends on you adhering to all the rules. Riding in groups is much different than riding by on your own. The rules you are learning will become second nature by June and once you are riding with hundreds of cyclists the reason behind these rules will become abundantly clear. We reserve the right to ask you to leave a training ride if you do not adhere to all safety rules. If you have any disputes with what is asked of you please contact the AIDS/LifeCycle office.

Route Maps - You will be given a route map of the day's ride along with a verbal description of the route, re-gathering points and leaders' cell phone numbers. It is important that you keep the route map with you during the ride just in case you get separated from the group.

Sweeps - No one is left behind -- an official AIDS/LifeCycle motto. One of the leaders on your ride will be riding with the last riders in the group at all times. If for some reason you decide to leave the route, i.e. to stop at a store or use a bathroom you could conceivably find yourself riding behind the sweep when you rejoin the route. If at any time you loose sight of other riders and feel you are not on the correct route, find a phone and call one of the leaders for assistance.

End of Ride - Training ride leaders will leave a check out form in a central location. We encourage riders to remain at the end of the ride to cheer others who finish later than you do. However, if after you have finished you need to leave, please sign the check out form. We want to know that you got home safely. If for some reason you need to leave the ride before it is completed, please notify the leaders either by calling them or sending them an email when you get to a computer

Please choose the ride most appropriate to your cycling abilities. We welcome you to the AIDS/LifeCycle Training Ride Program.

Note: Please choose your Category Ride wisely. If it is apparent to the Leaders during the first few miles of the ride that you will not be able to achieve the designated Category/Pace for the duration of the ride, the leaders will ask you to return to the start point. This is done to ensure that cyclists are not riding beyond their present abilities. Our goal is to make sure you are safe and training wisely and within your own abilities.