Road Cycling - Tierra Bella here I come..

tomorrow morning I am going to ride on my first organized club ride.. Tierra Bella link (http://www.actc.org/tb/)
any advice on what should I take with me?
I have cleaned the bike, lubed, packed a spare tube, patch kit, tools, gu, pump..
anything else I forgot?

water/some sort of fluid for drinking.

water/some sort of fluid for drinking.
oops.. sure.. that goes without saying.. :) 2 cages...

sorebutt,

This is a well-supported century with plenty of food and hydration at the rest stops. You seem to have everything that I think you'll need. Just remember, once you reach the top of the Metcalf Rd. climb the rest will seem easy in comparison! Once you get up the grade after the Calero Reservoir Rest Stop they're aren't any more long hills. The one on Sycamore after you turn left off the Watsonville Rd. can feel hard but it isn't very long.

Make sure you are well hydrated before the Metcalf climb. The weather should be nice tomorrow. Let's hope the breezes don't pick up until later in the day.

I'll be there with my wife who will be doing her first century in about 20 yrs.

Way to go. You are gonna' love it. I did my first century a few weeks ago, so I am no voice of experience, but here goes.

Eat something tonight that is good for sustained energy, like pasta. Don't stuff yourself, just a normal amount. Get pleanty of sleep.

Eat regularly during the ride, at SAG stops or when riding. This seems to be the key to making it. Drink pleanty too. You may be suprised how much you will drink. I put some Gatorade in my water for sustained energy and electrolytes.

Don't start out like a lunatic. (I may try to follow that one myself next time) A fast paceline is hard to pass up. Have fun.

It sounds like you have everything you need. Let us know how you do. I am already signed up for my 2nd and 3rd.

tomorrow morning I am going to ride on my first organized club ride.. Tierra Bella link (http://www.actc.org/tb/)
any advice on what should I take with me?
I have cleaned the bike, lubed, packed a spare tube, patch kit, tools, gu, pump..
anything else I forgot?

Drink both of your water bottles between rest stops. I've never been too hydrated on long rides. Since I'm working tomorrow, please have some fun for me. I'll be thinking of you and my Fremont Freewheeler club members out there having fun.

sorebutt,

I saw in an earlier post that you were planning on the 100km route. In that case you don't have to worry about Metcalf Rd. Your major climb will be up to Gilroy Hot Springs.

Good Luck

sorebutt,

I saw in an earlier post that you were planning on the 100km route. In that case you don't have to worry about Metcalf Rd. Your major climb will be up to Gilroy Hot Springs.

Good Luck

So steve, how does the hot spring climb compares to, say, Old La'Honda??

So steve, how does the hot spring climb compares to, say, Old La'Honda??It's easier than OLH. Not quite as steep.

It's easier than OLH. Not quite as steep.

Oh good.. cause I was climbing old la honda the past 2-3 weeks in preperation.. I feel better..:)
Thanks...

Oh good.. cause I was climbing old la honda the past 2-3 weeks in preperation.. I feel better..:)
Thanks...
Yeah, if you're doing the 100K and have been practicing on OLHR, you should be just fine. With the weather being what it is, the scenery should be gorgeous this weekend.

Oh man! it was fun!!! and a perfect day for riding!!

http://www.litman.com/pixs/tierra%20bella/up%20the%20hi1l.jpg

http://www.litman.com/pixs/tierra%20bella/the%20view1.jpg

Nice pics, looks like a great ride.... (I miss Mountains)