Road Cycling - Soooo, I'm crazy. But I need some advice.

Next week, I'm gonna ride to work m, w, and f.

Saturday. Barring rain. I'm gonna do a century.

What would you recommend for food on the trip?

What pace would you recommend?

And for my first century, any tips?

I wouldn't ride on Friday - take a day off from the bike.

As far as food good it's kind of up to you. What's your preference? I like bananas and GU on my long rides.

Regarding pace, start out slower than you want to average. Re-evaluate things at the 25, 50 and 75 mile marks. If you're feeling good at each point you may pick up the pace a bit, but not too much. The worst thing you can do is start out too fast and then putt home. I'd rather start slow and finish fast.

Good luck on your century. Let us know how it turns out.

Zack

Hmmmmm.. Friday off. Well, that suddenly makes sense.

One of my clerks is going to ride with me. He's never done a century either.

Should be fun.

You only live once!

Hard to go wrong with Tue/Thur/Sat

sounds like everyone has given good advice. Don't forget to drink-alot!

suck wheels!

Originally posted by late
Hard to go wrong with Tue/Thur/Sat

I have to ride on Monday (to work) and can't ride on Tuesday (have to do some around town stuff).

So, would Mon/Wed/Sat be better or Mon/Thurs/Sat.

So, would Mon/Wed/Sat be better or Mon/Thurs/Sat.

either as long as you don't ride hard if you ride Thursday. if you ride wednesday you could ride a little harder and maybe gain a little more fitness for saturday (maybe, but really the whole week should be easier than the previous weeks IF it's a big goal --- if this is just your first and you just want to get fitter than ride hard either Thurs or Wed - or ride easy for peak performance)

actually if it were me i would at least ride for a few minutes of easy spinning on Thursday even if you ride wednesday...

the key is not to stress your body or your muscles as then they become weaker until after they have time to recover.

light spinning that doesn't stress the muscles or the cardio sytem just keeps your muscles loose and your body on track for performance... i personally spin either the day before or 2 days before a race.

Thanks Nathan. I've got the route pretty much planned out. My wife's gonna meet us about 1/2 way either time or distance to give us cold drinks (replace water bottles).

This is a non stop type of deal, right? Or do people typically stop for lunch. (My thought being not to stop).

It's a pretty hilly ride that we've picked out, there's an absence of flat spots in San Diego that are conducive to a 100 mile round trip ride. I'm hoping for a 13 - 15 mph average. I'll post times and if I can, some pictures.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by William Karsten

This is a non stop type of deal, right? Or do people typically stop for lunch. (My thought being not to stop).

Unless you are trying for a sub 5 or 6 hour century you will probably want to stop. I wouldn't eat lunch as in what you normally consider lunch, but you will need to eat.

If you normally ride about 25 miles consider a century 4 x 25 miles. Mentally break it up and plan your fluids and food intake accordingly. You can carry all the food/goo/energy bar crap you need but you will probably need fluid replacements from your wife or store stops.

Good Luck and let us know how it turned out.

Originally posted by Bikedud
Unless you are trying for a sub 5 or 6 hour century you will probably want to stop. I wouldn't eat lunch as in what you normally consider lunch, but you will need to eat.

If you normally ride about 25 miles consider a century 4 x 25 miles. Mentally break it up and plan your fluids and food intake accordingly. You can carry all the food/goo/energy bar crap you need but you will probably need fluid replacements from your wife or store stops.

Good Luck and let us know how it turned out.

I'm not trying for time, though, I want to finish before it gets dark :) .

I'm trying to decide what I want to eat.. I will be eating some energy bars, and have some of that GU stuff. But other wise, I haven't decided.

For some reason, I don't want to stop. But I'd rather not kill my self ride wise.

Soooo... it's supposed to rain tommorrow. We're debating to do it or not.

Originally posted by William Karsten
Soooo... it's supposed to rain tommorrow. We're debating to do it or not.

What happened to: "It never rains in California"

If it's not too cold and it's not supposed to rain all day you may still want to go for it. Starting in the rain is a bummer but a little rain here and there can be nice depending on the temperature.

Good Luck

Your 1st century eh? What is your previous longest ride? If you've never gone over 60mi before, this adventure might become a nightmare. But if you have, well, go for it! Some points that may be helpful:

Food - bananas! No one has mentioned this. They come naturally wrapped, a few will fit perfectly in your jersey pockets, and you can go a long way on one with no risk of digestive problems. They also almost guarantee no cramps, if you keep your fluid levels up. (all that potassium you know)

Weather - if there is more than a 40% chance of rain I would scrub the mission. You don't want to do your 1st century in the cold rain. Even in California this will be miserable. Also, rain tends to increase punctures, unless it's the sort of deluge that washes the roads completly. There's also greater risk of crashes and visablity will be impaired. (this relates more to the fact that autmotive traffic won't see you as well and will thus be dangerous to you) The season is young yet, and there will be lots of other good week-ends to do this thing.

Other than that, good luck my cycling friend. There's nothing to compare with the feeling you get at the end of your 1st 100 miler. (with the possible exception of finishing your 1st running Marathon) Ride on!

Hmm.. Weather looks ok!

How long is your commute to work ??
Its good riding with a mate but you need to be at a simular level other wise it could be frustrating waiting at the top of hills or if your decending skills are more advanced
anyway good luck :beer:

Well,

I was ready to ride if it was going to rain on Saturday morning, figuring I could just tough it out. My partner bailed on it due to rain, and looking out the window, it was raining, it was pouring.

So, I'm going to go next weekend, all by myself. And it better not rain (pounding on table)!!!

Bananas are good. Carb Boom is pretty good stuff. I like the Orange Vanilla flavor. I prefer Hammer Gel, but you have to order it so it is too late for than. For that length ride you need some protein, too, and electolyte replenishment. On long rides it is important to stay ahead both with fluids and feeding. If you get behind, you can NEVER catch up because there is a build in processing lag. You have to start eating and drinking right away. I set my watch to beep at me every 15 minutes. Every 15 minutes I take a good drink and a quick bite or two, perhaps 100 calories. Every other beep I add electrolytes and protein. I haven't done a century yet, but it got me through back to back 75s on the MS150 last fall. The main thing is eat and drink early and often. If you don't drink a bottle every hour you aren't drinking enough. But the key is to drink small amounts often because of the processing lag.