I've almost finished building my road bike. Although i will not be able to do the MS-BIke tour this year :< I figure that I throw myself into the fire and do the Empire State AIDS Ride 5. comming in aug 2007. its 560 miles. I have never camped or ridden for so long in my life. has anybody done a tour for fun like this. What should I bring and what should I expect besides Weather. Can some one create a shopping list from past experiences. I think I would like to travel as light as possible. I can wash my lycra in the sink at rest stops. I think I should bring a med weight gore-tex Cycling jacket, 2 tights, 2 Shorts two Jerseys= one long, one short, one poncho & thats it. Could I survive with just that?? Food and Tent I think is provided.

You shouldn't struggle to travel light; they provide luggage transport. Although you can hand wash cycling stuff, you'll want at least three sets because things don't necessarily dry out overnight. Bring what you need to be comfortable. Charity tours are not misery fests.

I'd recommend:

Three sets cycling stuff (shorts/jersey)
Five sets cycling socks
One rain jacket
One helmet cover
One set arm warmers and one set leg warmers (tights are overkill and you don't need the poncho if you have a proper rain jacket).

One pillow (inflatable or other travel size okay)
3-4 sets post ride lounge wear (comfy... shorts, sweats, t-shirts, etc.)
TWO pair post ride shoes (perhaps one open toed like Tevas and the other sneakers). If you bring only one and the ground is wet you will be very sorry.
One warm sweatshirt/fleece jacket other than your cycling stuff.
One hat
A camp chair/Crazy Creek chair

This on top of the obvious other cycling gear and toiletries, etc. Think of what will enhance your trip, not just what you can "survive" with.

I think comfortable on a ride is, just being able to ride without interuption. I really have not ridden long enough to know my own comfort levels. What are your typical comforts on rides this long??

Comforts are being clean, dry, comfortable and warm enough when done riding for the day. In a ride that involves camping, that means bringing enough comfort clothes for off the bike. T-shirts, shorts, sweats/baggy tights/jeans, lightweight fleece. It means being able to sleep okay each night (means some variation of a pillow, plus earplugs). It means riding as comfortably on the bike as possible (proper and clean cycling clothing, and not anything that might still be a bit damp from being washed in a sink the night before).

Dry feet. Even the morning dew can make your shoes soggy, and watch out if it rains. That means two pairs non-cycling shoes and plenty of clean dry socks.

Having something to sit on. A headlamp to read by and a decent book for when it gets quiet near sundown.

Those are probably the main creature comforts I aspire to on multi-day supported tours. In other words, the joy of supported tours is getting to bring what you need, not pack like a church mouse.

As you train, you'll learn other things you like. What kind of bag balm, whether you need ibuprofen at the end of the day, etc.

Surfing around their site I found answers for most of your questions (with information specific to that ride too). http://www.empirestateaidsride.org/

Looks like a good ride that is well run and supported. You should have fun if you train lots for it and pay attention to the organizations suggestions about packing and bike prep.

The distances are a little short for the wife and I but it is easy to find lots of ways to add miles every day (if you care to). Otherwise for someone in resonable shape who has lots of saddle time in before the ride (bottom problems are the worst) and doesn't overdo it themselves the first couple of days the ride should be great fun.

Go for it.