Balancing a full time job with training for such a strenuous trek has proven difficult, but not impossible.  I try to take every day as it comes, and make the most out of the opportunities I get when they present themselves.  When sunny days and a day off come together, thats when the big miles get put in.  Rainy days are spent in the gym wishing for dry pavement.

     This page gives a general outline of what my training has entailed so far...

Mile after mile of pushing:

     The number of miles I get in each day is dependent on both time and weather.  As much as I would like to be on the road every day, I have to protect my gear.  Riding in the rain rusts bearings, and a water-soaked board is likely to crack.  I'm operating on limited funds for this trip so can't afford to ruin anything. 
     I have been sticking to two routes, chosen mostly for being "off the beaten path" and therefore having less traffic to piss off.  Here's the details on those:

Short Route:  "Turkey Creek"
~12 Miles

     On days with limited time I do my "Turkey Creek" route.  Winding through back roads and seemingly endless hills.  The halfway, or turnaround point of this ride is at Turkey Creek disc golf course.  This provides a nice break, sometimes for a round of 18 holes, sometimes just to fill up at the water fountains.

     So far I have been averaging about 40 mins each way on this ride, for a total of 1hr 20min.  Big hills make this take much longer than it would on a flat ride, but also provide good training grounds to build strength.  All in all it's a beautiful ride, and just the right length to squeeze in on a sunny morning before work.

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Long Route:  "Sugar Bottom"
~35 Miles

     When I have the time this is my go-to for getting some solid miles.  The first part of the ride follows most of my "Turkey Creek" route, then branches off to go around the lake.  The turnaround for this ride is the Sugar Bottom disc golf course.  Once again giving me a chance for a golf break, or some time at the beach.

     This ride has taught me how much mental preparation and determination will play a role in R.A.G.B.R.A.I.  While pushing through cramps like I have never felt in my life, reminding myself of my goal is all that keeps me on my feet.  These are becoming less frequent, and more manageable the more I train.  It's nice to see the rewards of hard work already paying off
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Weight Training:

     I quickly realized when I began doing longer rides that weight training was going to be very necessary.  A friend of mine, Rob, who is a PT student at the U of I put together a workout plan suited just for my needs.  It combines leg and core strength exercises, as well as focus on strengthening my lower back.  The lower back takes a beating when you are bent over pushing for hours, especially while carrying a backpack.  I'm not going to write out in detail what I am doing specifically, but I will try to get a PDF of my workout uploaded soon.