1. Ride for a Cause
While many cyclists join a team or another group of cyclists to tackle the 3,000-mile ride across the country,you can find plenty of examples of folks who did the deed solo. Many of these cyclists ride for a cause and look for the publicity as they reach each milestone destination. They garner pledges to raise money for the cause or just to bring media attention to a particular issue.
2. One big Ride
Some cyclists ride for a while and then return home by plane or truck. They then go back to their last stop and continue the trip. Other cyclists ride the entire way in one stretch. The least amount of time you should expect to need is one week, while many ride at their leisure and can take as long as a year.
3. Supporters Along the way
Organized cross-country trips such as Race Across America provide pace cars that are always watching your progress. Other cyclists who ride the long haul make arrangements with hostels or hotels before they begin their trip. They know how far they plan to ride each day and stick as close to that plan as they can. Roughing it by carrying a tent and all your own supplies is rarely seen anymore.
4. Prepare Mentally and Physically
Avid cyclists say that there is no other way to train for cycling than to ride longer and faster. Most sports trainers insist on cross training for a number of reasons. The mental advantages of cross training relieve the possibility of burnout or boredom. Top athletes enjoy a variety of competitive and non-competitive activities because they love their sport enough to give it an occasional break. Spot training with weights and isometric exercises help to build muscle groups that may be weak and hold the rider back from an optimum performance. Also, some areas of the body get little or no workout on the bike and need to be exercised. You should prepare for endurance and a variety of different challenging riding conditions.
5. Cross Train
Good sports to challenge muscle groups that may not receive a good workout on a bike include swimming, which gives you an opportunity to put your arms through a multitude of range of motion exercises, and jumping rope, which provides the impact needed to maintain strong bones. Rowing, both on inside rowing machines and out on the water, put the arm and chest muscles into shape, while working the abs and back. Certainly a stationary bike can be ridden all year long. Add resistance to your rides to strengthen the legs.
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