Road or Mountain Bike?

The majority of cyclists use a road bike.  If you choose to use a mountain bike, make sure you take the knobbies off and replace them with smooth tires.  I recommend everyone who is planning on riding the event on a Mountain Bike that they must be willing to ride the event alone, without the support of the other riders breaking the wind for them.  99 % of the riders have road bikes.  The event would be more challenging for a mountain bike rider as the hills will create more of a climb; however, the biggest challenge will be to ride most, if not all, of the day by yourself.  I recommend you follow this link <<< rent a road bike >>> if you don't have a road bike for the event.

Helmets are Mandatory

Not only is it the law in P.E.I. that all cyclists must wear helmets it is also a no-brainer (pun intended).  One of my biggest pet peeves is seeing adults cycling without a helmet when their children are wearing helmets * who is going to take care of their children if the adult should fall off the bike and sustain a head injury on the road?  To all participants, please take a few seconds to remind adults of the importance of bicycling with helmets.

What the Truth About the Two Water Bottle Rule?

You should drink at least one water bottle per hour of riding.  So, please make sure you are able to carry two water bottles with you.  The majority of riders will put plain water in one bottle and an energy drink in the other.  This is a pretty standard formula used by the majority of endurance cyclists.  Too much energy drink and not enough water, your body will feel bloaty; too much water and not enough energy drink will not supply your body with the energy it needs.  I also recommend drinking or taking an extra water bottle during the mid-day if it is hot or take advantage of the numerous other stops along the way to fill up your water bottle before you reach the next Refeuling Station.  Lastly, I always use the largest capacity water bottles that I can find for this day -- if you have small ones, go be sweet to yourself and purchase two large capacity water bottles.  Your body will thank you for that.

The Truth About Pedals and Shoes

I can still remember when I made the transition from old dirty shoes and tight around the toes toe clips to the pedals and shoes that click.  It first took me some practice and some foolish falls while at stop signs but the improvement in my pedaling stroke and (of course) power was obvious.  I also found that because I could now pedal properly that my knees were no longer sore.  Pedals and Click-In Shoes allow you to pedal through what is called the "dead zone".  By only pushing down on the pedals, there is a dead zone where you are not generating any pedal power; with pedals and shoes, you are able to pedal through the dead zone on the bottom stroke and thus bike further and bike faster.   Ah, beauty, eh.

Should I Be Using Aerobars?

Short answer: no.  However, if you "promise" to not use them when you are riding in a group and only to use them when you are riding alone or leading the pack then it would be fine.  The rationale is that with aerobars you do not have the same ability to respond to dangers ahead as your elbows - not your hands - are really steering.  Please keep the safety of everyone in mind during the day.

The Most Important Piece of Equipment to Help You Finish

. . . is your tires.  The best advice I can make is to buy two new good quality tires one month before the event.  Put them on your bike, making sure they handle well and are not prone to flats.  Flatting is the number one mechanical issue for riders.  I say install the tires one month before the event because you should not use brand-new tires for the event.  They may not work as well as you hope.  Please trust me on this one.  The second year for the event, I had brand-spank'n new treads and I had one strange flattening issue that stopped my physical and mental gameplan; I have oh too many flats and I did not finish the second year.

My Bike Needs a Repair Bad, Really Bad . . .

No need to worry.  Whether you have just arrived off an airline or you live on P.E.I., here is a listing of bicycle repair stores to get you rolling again.

Tubes and Pumps

Ideally, you should try to carry three or four spare tubes with you and a pump on your frame or C02 cartridges.  It is not uncommon for riders to have multi-flats during the day.  Please take time to inspect your bike and examine the the rums before you put your tire and new tube on the bike.   At best, you'll be exhausted and you'll try to repair your flat as quick as you can (we know that there is pride in being able to repair your tire in 2 minutes); but, a careless inspection often results in another flat as soon as you put air into the tube.  The mental let-down that having flats offer riders is real ..... so ..... take your time fixing your flat.