Preparing for PALM

For those of you who have never participated in a multi-day ride, you may be asking yourself: How do I get physically ready?

PALM is geared toward families and beginners and the daily mileages reflect that. However, how easy the ride will be for you, and especially how much you enjoy yourself, is directly proportional to how well you prepare.

The first thing you should do is to be sure your bike is in good working order. If you don’t work on your own bike, take it to the local bike shop. While there, ask them to see if the bike is properly setup for you. Have them look at the seat position, as well as the handlebar position to be sure everything is set up properly for you when you sit on the bike. Remember that these are starting points and as you ride you may want to make additional adjustments. Ask the shop what adjustments affect what so you might be able to do them yourself.

Now that your bike is ready for you, you need to get ready for your bike. There is no magic involved here. It basically comes down to spending as much time in the saddle as possible. I hope you've already had a start riding in this great spring weather we've been having. Try to ride at least 3 times a week. How far for each ride is up to you, but in the beginning, try for at least 10 miles. After 2 weeks, add 5 to 10 miles to each ride. Again, after a few weeks add another 5 to 10 miles per ride. Continue this gradual building up until you get to at least one 50-mile ride each week right up to PALM.

The “secret” is to not only build up your muscles and aerobic capacity, but to become comfortable in the riding position and especially the saddle. Everyone, even the pro’s, gets a sore posterior. Remember, PALM is not a race. Take a “butt break” every 15 minutes or so while riding. Stand on the pedals and stretch. Get off the bike for a few minutes every 10 to 20 miles. Take in the sights along the way. Stop for lunch or to do some shopping.

Post back if you have any questions.

2012 PALM sites

Here are the sites where we will be staying each night on PALM. Please realize that all plans are subject to change.

Saturday, June 23. Upton Middle School, 800 Maiden Lane, S. Joseph, MI 49085

Sunday, June 24: Paw Paw Middle School, 313 West Michigan Avenue, Paw Paw, MI 49079

Monday, June 25: Harper Creek High School, 12677 Beadle Lake Rd, Battle Creek 49014

Tuesday, June 26: Leslie High School, 4141 Hull Road, Leslie 49251

Wednesday, June 27: Perry High School, 2555 W. Britton Rd, Perry 48822

Thursday, June 28: Brandon High School, 1025 S Ortonville Rd, Ortonville 48462

Friday, June 29 (ending site): Anchor Bay Middle School North, 52805 Ashley St., New Baltimore 48047

Alternatives to PALM

As many of you know, PALM again filled very quickly this year, and we have turned away a large number of potential riders. I think that PALM is a fairly unique ride in that we keep most of our daily distances to a maximum of about 50 miles, and we try to have a ride that appeals to a wide variety of ages and abilities. However, there are other rides in Michigan and our surrounding states that you might decide to try as an alternative to PALM. Perhaps some of our registered riders will also enjoy trying a second ride this season. I will list some of them in this entry and also on our website blog. You can get details on the events by checking out the web sites. As far as I can determine, none of these rides are filled yet.

The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure. www.goba.com. June 16-23, a 7 day loop ride. From what I have been told, this ride attracts the same variety of participants as PALM does. Like PALM, each year GOBA follows a different route, and this year's ride is rolling with some more significant hills and takes place in the area south of Columbus. The 7 days include 5 riding days of 45-54 miles each, with 2 layover days that include optional loop rides or alternate activities. The ride limit is 3000, and the fee does not include meals. GOBA has an excellent web site, with lots of details about the ride and an excellent rider handbook.

Rides sponsored by the League of Michigan Bicyclists. www.lmb.org. The League sponsors several rides, including the Pedal and Paddle on June 2-3, the Sunrise Adventure June 15-17, MUP July 14 - 21 (60+ miles each day), and Shoreline West Aug 4-11 (longer days and lots of hills).

If you want even more options, you can go to www.bicycletournetwork.com, the web site for the National Bike Tour Directors Association, and search for rides all over the country.

Another option for trips that involve several days of cycling and are based at a hotel or conference center are available from the Road Scholar organization (formerly called Elderhostel). These programs are for mature adults, and most participants in the bicycling programs range in age from 45-70. So these are not options for families. I have participated in each of the programs listed below, and I enthusiastically recommend all of them. Check out the details and dates at www.roadscholar.org. You can also email me at www.palmbiketour@yahoo.com if you want to know more about these programs.

Program #13922. Bicycling Through Amish Country. Rides of 20-40 miles each day on the flat, quiet country roads in northern Indiana.

Program #9947. Bicycling on the Great Allegheny Passage. Bike a 30-40 mile section of this beautiful rails-to-trail route south of Pittsburg each day.

Programs #18629 and #13306. Biking the C & O Canal Towpath. Bicycle sections of this bike path that stretches from Washington, DC to Cumberland, MD.

We sincerely hope that all of you find a biking adventure that you can enjoy in 2012.

Ellie, PALM Mail Granny