Frank, Brenda, Starladeer111 - Thank you all for your replies and I appreciate the advise very much.  The three of us that are coming are in our late 40's but we workout year around (got spinning class in an hour from now), but we'll start training more specific for this event.  We've done a number of week-long cross-state type road tours but this ride sounds much more intense than any of those rides. 

For hydration, I probably need to invest in a camelback type of system correct?  Currently I only carry a couple water bottles on long rides, but there are always places I can stop and fill them up on my road tours.

For my bike, I have three options -- I could use my 8 year old Gary Fisher Big Sur with front suspension (yeah I've done a little off-road riding before but still consider myself a roadie).  Or I'm considering spending 2 grand on a Kona Kula 2-9 (http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/KULA29/index.html) which is a light weight 29 inch wheel front suspension bike.  Or I could rent a full suspension bike from one of the local shops in Fruita.  But I hear full suspension is only needed for comfort.  Would you agree with that? 

Wow, a Huffy with monkey bars and a banana seat is an interesting choice in bikes.  Does it climb well?  I'd love to try it but doubt if I can keep up. :(

- Mark

--- In Bikerpelli@yahoogroups.com, "starladear111" <cgjj1@...> wrote:
>
> Blowing your load too early..
> Day one takes you through some fun stuff, but keep your composure. Day
> one is relatively short compared to day 2&3 and lacks the climbing of
> day 2 and especially 3.You don't want to bif early on or anywhere for
> that matter(especially in the rose garden)..It sounds like you guys
> are quite fit and should have no problem. I would stress that now is
> really the time to start training even if it's just stretching and
> some kind of spinning or heart raising experience. Us rocky mountain
> people are having quite the contrasting winter to last year which was
> mild and dry. Right now it is 5 below zero and won't be over 10
> degrees for 4 days. What kind of bike are you bringing. Full
> suspension rules out there. I'm riding a Huffy full suspension totally
> tricked out with knobby tires, monkey bars and a banana seat. I'll let
> you try it if you can keep up. Have fun and drink lots of liquids...
>
>
>
>
>
> >
> > I know the website said this ride isn't for beginners, and beginner
> > cyclists were not. But a few of us flatlander roadies are coming out
> > to try some off-road mountain biking so we're like beginners. I don't
> > think endurance will be a problem and we can walk our bikes
> > over the real technical parts if need be. My question is for you
> > veterans -- in past rides what mistakes have you seen first-timers make
> > the most?
> >
> > - Mark
> >
>