More n00b questions...

[Keith]

Perhaps some of this will be clearer once I get my registration packet, but I have a few questions now:

- The recommended packing list says to pack woolite. Do people generally bring enough riding clothing for every day, or do people generally bring a couple pairs and wash them on the way? I'm sure it varies based on individual preference, but what is the more common practice?

- How many riding hours are there in the day? It sounds like you can leave as late as you'd like, and you can arrive late into camp as well, but if one were to leave as early as possible after breakfast and arrived into camp just in time for dinner, how many hours would they have? (I'm not planning to push the time envelope, I just want to get an idea of the minimum I'd have to pace myself.)

- There's quite a bit of variance in miles ridden each day. My guess is that it's based on terrain/difficulty to keep the amount of effort somewhat constant on each day. Am I in the ballpark?

[blazingpedals]

There are people who do both, but I take enough cycling duds for the whole trip. Each day's clothing goes in a 1 gallon Ziplok bag, so setting out the next day's clothing is easy.

[Drbike]

My experience has showed you can effectively wash your riding shirt and it will dry overnight but riding pants do not. Try and bring clean pair of pants for every day; at the worst it takes two days for pants to dry.

I would recommend that you try and leave from the campsite as soon as you can; anything later than 8:00 AM is may be too late. Usually the wind and heat effects your riding efficiency so the more miles you cover in the cool and calm morning will pay dividends later in the day.

[RAC]

It is up to you, but I usually pack a travel pack of Tide so I can wash out something if needed.
Usually it is my favorite pair of casual camp shorts that I just spilled spaghetti sauce on.
That said, I pack enough clothes so I can have a clean set of riding gear for each day. You never know when we might get 2 or 3 days in a row of wet weather. Drying out clothes in that weather would be tough. We have been lucky with good weather lately.

As for when you want to leave, many people start early so they can either get into camp early, thereby missing most of the hot and windy afternoon conditions. The heat and wind usually picks up dramatically after 2:00 on warm afternoons. If the wind is a headwind or crosswind, the ride from 2:00-5:00 can be more challenging. Also, if you plan on stopping along the way, you will need the extra time. There are also breakdowns and such that would slow you down. Much of it depends on how fast you ride, over a distance.
As far as how much time, you could leave at day break, say 6:45 am, and ride until dusk. But who would want to?

Leave about 8:00am, stop for lunch, ride at a moderate pace, arrive in camp around 3:30-4:00. It will also depend on the day's ride distance.
Some days are longer, some shorter, some hillier.

[JohnL]

Hey, Keith, welcome to the ride.

I try to simplify my life when touring, organized or free-lance. Minimal stuff brought, and tight organization of what you bring.

I agree with Blazingpedals. I pack one gallon zip locks with shorts, jersey and socks for each day of the tour. Keeping your 'sit down area' clean and happy is a primary goal on any tour. Consider using a product like "Chamois Butt'r" to lube that area and avoid chafe.

You can start riding at 7 AM. I try to leave as close to that time as I can. This leaves me maximum time to explore and 'smell the flowers' along the route. Your map will have SAG lines - which will indicate the minimum distance that the organizers think you should have gone by a given time. As an example on the 5 UP, they expect you to get to Dewitt by 10 AM, and Maple Rapids by 1 PM. Supposedly there will be no assistance to be had for riders behind those lines, but there will probably be help if you need it. The thing to know is, if a SAG vehicle comes up and offers you a ride into camp because you are way behind everybody, TAKE THE OFFER. If you refuse, you will be on your own, with no SAG back up.

You are expected to get into camp by 5 PM. Dinner usually is from 5 to 6:30

The milage is more based on tradition than the difficulty of the day's ride. Ask your fellow riders how hard the next day will be, and plan accordingly.

Above all, enjoy the ride and the riders around you. DALMAC is an experience in itself.

What route are you on? If you are doing the Quint, look for the old guy with the white beard on a LWB recumbent.