AIDS/LifeCycle's 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.
See the homepages of your ride leaders and check out the schedules of upcoming rides and meetings.
Many thanks to Ferdinand Garcia, Brian Hill, Derek Martin and Steve Burton, who volunteered countless hours in maintaining alcleaders.org over the last couple of years and whose work inspired much of this current site.