Dream Team Training Begins

Sun, Feb 21, 2010 | by TJ Juskiewicz

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By John Washburn, Dream Team Mentor

With all the snow we have hanging around, it is a stretch to think we will be biking outdoors soon.  With the hope that the snow will leave us eventually, we have started our indoor training schedule. Through the end of March, we meet twice a week at the Downtown YMCA for ninety minutes of workouts and training.

The group is divided into three smaller groups and they rotate through three stations for thirty minutes each. Spin classes on stationary bikes is the most directly applicable to our goal. We want them to understand that they can pedal for thirty minutes without stopping. When we meet out steepest, frequent training hill they will know that they just need to find the right gear and keep pedaling for four minutes and it will be done.

We also run/walk around the indoor track to add some more athletic confidence to our accumulation of experiences. The young riders also learn about sharing the track and allowing room for faster runners to pass. The sharing part takes a while to learn when they are involved in the talking part.

The third station in the training rotation is devoted to band resistance training. Some nights we switch the band resistance training for an educational session where we discuss a number of topics. Among them are:

• Nutrition
• Proper Attire
• Riding Safely on the trails and roads
• Team Building.

On our first night each group member introduced themselves and relayed some of their favorite things. This exercise helps the riders to learn each others names and how they share some areas of interest. This is an important step in building a team that knows and helps each other.

A major goal for training is to prepare them for any conditions we may encounter. We know we will train with hills to prepare us for success on later long rides during the season. We also know that the RAGBRAI route this year will start and end with hills. We want them to be ready to easily complete those days with confidence.

We know that every year we have winds that include headwinds. We will prepare the riders to overcome the added challenge of winds and make it to the finish.  This is the goal of learning to achieve a goal through preparation. The further goal is to end RAGBRAI with smiles and well earned confidence. That can only happen by training enough to overcome any obstacles.

You can see some pictures of our first indoor training night by clicking on “2010 Indoor Training” in the Pictures menu on the left side of this page.

Until next time, keep smiling and pedaling.

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The Dream Team relies on the generosity of businesses, bike clubs, charitable groups and caring individuals to fund the team’s activities and equipment needs.  You can help these young people achieve the goal of a lifetime with a tax-deductible gift:

• $1,000 ~ will sponsor a teen through the training program and RAGBRAI
• $500 ~ will purchase a bike for a member of the Dream Team
• $250 ~ will purchase camping equipment for a member of the Dream Team
• $100 ~ will purchase refreshments for a long weekend training ride
• $50 ~ will purchase a helmet and gloves for a Dream Team member

To learn more about the Dream Team or make an online donation
visit: dreamteamdsm.org

Or send your contribution to:
RAGBRAI/Dream Team, PO Box 622, Des Moines, IA 50303

• 2010 RAGBRAI, Dream Team