Dear Trekker,

The ETBT is almost here! We just wanted to remind you that we are here to help you with your fundraising and any other questions you may have. Please feel free to give us a call at any time at (916) 444-5900.

In this newsletter you will find information on arriving to camp on Thursday night (if desired), the list of fundraising incentives, information on the second training ride, camp guest policies and more.

Happy Trekking!

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As a thank you to our Trekkers for their fundraising efforts, we offer the following cumulative fundraising incentives for this year. Special thanks to City Bicycle Works, B & L Bicycles and Bicycle Chef Bicycles for their generous sponsorship.

Starting this week, be sure to check out the Trek mainpage for different tips on fundraising, training and more as we start the count-down to the ETBT.

If you would like to have a camp guest along with you or your team, they must adhere to the camp guest policy. Remember the deadline for them to register is August 22nd. Please note that camp guests are not allowed on the Trek route.

Safety first! Don’t forget to make sure that your bike is functioning optimally by getting it inspected before the Trek. Support our sponsors by visiting City Bicycle Works, B & L Bicycles, or Bicycle Chef Bicycles.

Training Ride #1 went very well with 110 riders on the road. Please join us for the next training ride on Sunday, July 20 th. Details are below:

Location: Gold River. RSVP required. You will receive more information when you RSVP.
Distance: Roughly 30 miles
Time: Meet 7:30 a.m. Take-off 8:00 a.m. Finish around noon.

Free to all potential and registered Trekkers. SAG support and a rest stop with snacks and drinks will be provided. Email cmelville@sacbreathe.org or call (916) 444-5900 to RSVP.

As the Trek draws near we want to highlight some of the training tips found on the Trek website.

Start training early and consistently in the months before your ride to help you prepare. Here are some training aspects to consider:

Distance: Trekkers know that there is no substitute for “seat miles,” so get those miles in early. Your seat will probably be the first thing to get sore. Start with moderate distances (10-15 miles) and build up gradually. Be prepared to bike 40 miles a day.

Hills: Yes, there are hills on the route. Remember that hills and their characteristics are what make the scenery beautiful. Practice on hills and use all those gears on your bike, by shifting down and keeping up a good quick cadence of 60-80 rpm.

Recovery: Most of us who are in decent shape can get on a bicycle and ride for a long day. The difficulty is getting back on that seat the day after, and then the day after that. It is a good idea to train your body to recover by training two or three days in a row. For this, distance each day is much less important than the repetition.

Nutrition and Hydration: Distance cycling requires significant food and water. Its is important to maintain your strength for the duration of the ride. Drink regularly and before you feel thirsty. Dehydration is the number one cause of physical breakdown. Also eat small amounts frequently before you are hungry. Carbohydrates are the easiest form of calories for your body to use when exercising. The Trek is not a time to diet! While training, experiment with different sources of fluids and carbohydrates and find out what works best for you.

Your Bike: Keeping your bike in good shape is very important. Pay attention to how it feels and sounds while training. We highly recommend that you get a safety check and tune-up before the Trek. Some of the stores associated with the Trek will do a free safety check and give you a reduced rate on the tune-up.

As we mentioned above, training for the Trek is really important, but with the unhealthy air conditions, please remember to be cautious.

With funding from the Sacramento Air Quality Management District, we put together a free resource to help you determine whether or not it is healthy to exercise on a certain day based on the air quality.

The Air Quality Index Activity Chart is intended to be used as a guide to modify outdoor activities on poor air quality days. While this chart is designed around school-specific activities (recess, lunch, physical education) it can be used for anyone participating in outdoor activities. Click here to view the chart.

Thanks to Entercom Sacramento, you have probably heard the Trek being advertised on several stations. This will be Entercom’s third year as a Gold Sponsor by generously advertising the ETBT on air. Entercom Sacramento owns several prominent radio stations in the Sacramento area, including ESPN 1320 (KCTC), 107.9 The End (KDND), 98 Rock (KRXQ), 96.9 The Eagle (KSEG), Smooth Jazz 94.7 (KSSJ), and 106.5 (KWOD). Their team, Entercom Roadkill will also be back this year! For more information on Entercom Sacramento, please visit http://www.entercomsacramento.com/.

We hope you enjoy the second edition of our Trek Times E-newsletter. Please feel free to share it with friends, family, co-workers, and fellow cyclists!

Trek Main Page