A. Committing to altruistic endeavors like charity rides, runs and triathlons is a great way to get in shape, feel good and have fun at the same time. But for maximum enjoyment, preparation is the key.

First, do not scrimp on good gear. You are going to depend on your bike and clothing for hours of comfort, so shop with that in mind. Your largest investment will be the bike, of course, so make friends with the folks who own a bicycle specialty shop and start a two-way dialogue with them regarding budget, skill level and goals.

You do not have to spend thousands of dollars on a bike, BUT you should get the very best bike you can possibly afford that also can be adjusted to fit YOU. Everyone is different: Knee/back/shoulder issues, length of the femur (thighbone), arm length and skill levels all will come into play when you are getting your bike fitted.

What style of handlebars? Which saddle? What sort of pedals are most comfortable (Baskets? Toe clips? Neither?). What sort of gear ratios will you need?

As for clothing, get the best possible bike pants (padded with a seamless chamois crotch), helmet, bike shoes with a stiff sole, shirts and socks that wick away moisture, sunglasses, sunscreen and gloves. Also, your hydrating will be drastically improved by wearing a “CamelBak” hydration system that can hold from 28 to 100 ounces of water comfortably on your back, with convenient sipping tubes that attach over the shoulder. Proper hydration is essential. Seriously consider purchasing this equipment.

As for preparing physically, it is important to start slowly and build up your miles week by week. Eight months of training is ideal before a long ride like the one you are contemplating. But if you are diligent, you can get prepared in less time by doing some sort of training (both on the bike and in the gym) most days of the week. A good training schedule can be found at: http://www.aidslifecycle.or....

VERY simply, the site recommends starting with one to two rides a week the first few weeks and increasing to three to four rides per week after about three months. Increasing your weekly miles by five will help you improve your speed, endurance and ability to climb hills without burning yourself out or harming the muscles.

As you get closer to the event, you should be cycling four to five times a week and logging at least one ride that reflects the length of the ride you will be doing.

Throughout your training, balance your biking by cross training with swimming, engaging in a weight-lifting program (lighter weights at 15 to 20 repetitions will help build endurance), hiking, dancing or doing Pilates or yoga.

Proper fuel is essential, so do a judicious and honest examination of your eating habits and shift toward foods that are nutritionally dense. “Food for Fitness” by Chris Carmichael (Putnam, 2004, $25.95) and “7-Week Cycling for Fitness” by Chris Sidwells (DK Publishing, 2006, $15) are recommended.

Joining a cycling club and/or getting a buddy to ride with will also help with motivation. Most of all, have fun!

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