+1 Stay hydrated.
+1 Factor the availability of supplies at rest stops into what you carry (carry less). I find I do not need to carry near as much as I usually carry for solo rides, as the rest stops will allow you to replenish water/fluids and carbs. You might want to carry one bottle of water, maybe two max, and your favorite snack. the camelbak is best suited for solo rides. Note, I am a nut about hydration, so I always carry two bottles of water, even if it is a short ride...
+1 Ride your pace, not someone else's. Use the first few miles as a warm up (start kind of slow). If you do find someone riding your pace, then track them for a while, its a good way to maintain a steady cadence.
+1 Sunscreen. Use it. Benefit from it.
I rode a MC at the Tour De Chesapeake last Saturday and never touched any of the food I was carrying.....Lesson learned.
Last edited by wrk101; 05-21-08 at 08:23 AM.
Reason: typo