That Saturday, cyclists will travel 75 miles from Hammond to Percy Quin State Park near McComb, Miss., and return to Hammond the next day. More and more teams are made up of family members who see the charity ride as a chance to spend some quality time together, said Darby Berthelot, MS Tour for Cure director. The Blue Flames are loosely affiliated with Kallal's employer, Louisiana Gas. The upcoming ride will be the Kallal's third and his second with his daughter. Elizabeth, a student at Alice Harte Elementary School in New Orleans, was 7 when she first rode in the tour.
Teens have no trouble riding the tour, if they have trained.
Riding a bicycle 150 miles in two days is within the capabilities of most people who train correctly, said Rob Streeck, fitness director for Elmwood Fitness Center and tour adviser. Activities that place too much strain on the body too soon force the body into its protection mode, bringing on muscle cramps, side stitches and injuries. By following a training schedule, riders gradually will build their fitness to a level that will allow them to participate in a long bike ride without overly stressing the body, Streeck said. Even active men over 45 and women over 50 should discuss participation with a physician if the tour is a big increase in activity for them, Streeck said. Anyone with risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, smoking or a family history of heart disease also should get a physician's clearance before participating in the tour.