Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - 1st century

I posted this in the long distance forum with little response. I am clyde therefore I ride. So I thought I would get your input. I have pretty much determined I am going to ride this in the morning. I haven't decided which way to go yet. Have any of you that have rode hills as listed below got any advice on how to tackle them?

I am planning on riding my first century this weekend. I have two courses mapped out to my inlaws house. My longest ride yet has been a little over 40. But I commute 21 mile rt ~4 days a week. The biggest el change has been ~400ft. As you can see by the routes below it is a little hilly. The roads are state roads with 55+ mph traffic. Route A is less traffic with a smaller shoulder. Route B has a 4-5 ft shoulder but high volume of traffic. No one is use to seeing bikes on either route. I am planning on starting early to get out of the highest volume of traffic which is the first 20 miles. I am going to make a day of it. But I will be riding alone and a lot of areas do not have anything for miles, even cell phone is blacked out through most of it. There are a lot of houses spread out so any major problems could be handled.

which route do you think would be best?

Route A
http://www.toporoute.com/cgi-bin/getSavedRoute.cgi?routeKey=AHNJQFMNDHMYHHE (http://www.toporoute.com/cgi-bin/getSavedRoute.cgi?routeKey=AHNJQFMNDHMYHHE)

Route B
http://www.toporoute.com/cgi-bin/getSavedRoute.cgi?routeKey=JGBESBIWCXNODKX (http://www.toporoute.com/cgi-bin/getSavedRoute.cgi?routeKey=JGBESBIWCXNODKX)

Thanks

The links don't work; are these the complete URLs?

Yeah I can't get the links to work either, but congrats on planning on going for a big ride! Let us know how it goes.

I edited the links they should work now.

Sorry :o

I don't know the area to provide any opinion on which is best. But I did want to say good luck and have a great ride!!

Looks like the easiest thing to do would be to ride home from your in laws, since it would be downhill. :)

Assuming that you want to ride there, I would go with route A since it's not as hilly, as long as the traffic is manageable.

I'm not being short but just do it. I spend more time thinking about everything I get so bogged down then I don't even do it. Good luck with it and let us know how you get on.

First century was easier than I thought, you'll be fine. Take the route with least traffic!
Good luck and have fun!

I have to say I am partial to a route with better shoulders. I don't mind that cars pass me at 60 plus miles per hour, its when they pass me at those speeds with only a foot or two clearance that I don't like. Bottom line, I'd rather be passed more often with more room than less often with less room. Regardless of the route you choose, have fun!

Gonna have some climbing either way. I agree, take the safest route! Other than that, enjoy the ride and stay hydrated.

Good luck and have fun! I would take the safest route as well. Report back after completion to let us know how it went.

Good luck!! Did my first one today.

Good luck!! Did my first one today.


"WHAT?????"......and you're not going to tell us about it??


man that aint right.

"WHAT?????"......and you're not going to tell us about it??


man that aint right.




Ooops sorry Lechterman. Did'nt see your ride report. :(

I did it. I did it. I really did it.

I think it may have been one of the dumbest things I have done in a long time. The longest ride to that point was 40 miles and climbed maybe 300'. This was all uphill. I ran out of water a couple of times. That made life rough. The traffic was extremely light which I was very thankful of. I did not plan on dogs on the trip. Why, I don't know. I grew up in the country and everyone has one, no one has one on a leash or fenced in. I should have brought some mace or something. Only a couple got closer than I would have liked but none actually bit me. I just should have planned on it. I did not have anyone riding with me and the cell service was not available through most of it. That wasn't smart, but in the country, for the most part, people will help if needed. I drank 6 bottles of water and 5 bottles of gatorade. I don't think that was enough. After mile 75, I had to stop and rest about every 5 to 7 miles. I did not make it all the way to my final destination. 2 miles from the in-laws the skies opened up and the floods came down. I stopped at a gas station and called mom to come get me. My computer said it was 110 miles and I just rolled 1001 total miles on the bike so I was happy with that. I lost 7 pounds over 10 hrs. I gained 4 back overnight. Thats why I don't think I had enough water.

Overall I did enjoy it. The hills Sucked, check out the links. I am glad I did it, but I don't want to do another one by myself.

I have numbness in my left pinky finger and some toes. The toes are starting to get some feeling back, but the finger is starting to worry me. Any advice?

http://www.toporoute.com/cgi-bin/getSavedRoute.cgi?routeKey=LECLTWFLWBYUUVJ

http://www.toporoute.com/cgi-bin/getSavedRoute.cgi?routeKey=IWMCYKMDBUPPGYS