Originally Posted by Front-4
I am a relative newbie to cycling. As with other physical pursuits I have attempted; I usually go all in. My ride is a Domane 4.5 and I've logged about 2,200 miles on it this spring/summer and now fall. I live in the northwestern part of NJ. Plenty of hills to climb and descend. One of my friends did the Ride the Rockies tour in June. When I heard about it and saw the pictures, I said, I HAVE to do that. Since I only live at 1,000 ft above sea level; how does one train for the altitude you encounter as well as those forever uphill climbs? I am also a bit concerned about 60-90 miles a day for 7 days straight. I know I can do the miles, but not sure if my lungs and legs can do the altitude. I'd appreciate any advice so that I might prepare physically and mentally.
Hey, I recently completed my first tour including a 13day section in the Canadian Rockies, in my opinion you can do just fine, if you have some experience riding.
I live in ontario, and I never noticed any difference between my regular riding and riding at about 3, 000ft. (I was also at higher altitudes but not for prolonged periods of time).
Physically: if you do a decent amount of riding, and it seems like you do, 60-90 miles wont be a problem. I averaged about 90-100miles/day while in the rockies and the yukon/NWT mountains. I didn't do any training, I just rode 20-40km per day (20k is my average work trip in the summer, and I often took detours for fun)
Mentally: once you go uphill for 5-6min, you will get that rush and just keep going, I am still shocked at how I have done some of the climbs on my route, giving up was never on the list. And the other, significant thing: if the US is anything like canadian rockies, you will encounter many other people who will actually pull over to give you food, many people who see you will honk at you or wave, it is really motivating. Other cyclists you meet on the way make a huge difference too.
and the most important advice I can give: I had little time and doing my planned 200km/day was my first goal, I did not get even close for the first 8 days, then it didnt matter, It was all about the adventure and seeing the beautiful scenery and meeting new people.
