clawhammer72

Ok. So I've been commuting daily for two months, but the trip is only 3 miles one way.
I'm car lite, so on the weekends, I usually use the car for longer trips.

But, two weeks from now, I'm going to a conference about 25 miles away. I'm going to leave the car with my wife, and use my bike.

Any tips or hints for making this first "big" trip (I know it's pretty small for those more experienced). I'm not sure how much time it's going to take. The conference starts at 8am, but I want to get there a bit early to cool off, change clothes and check in. Google estimates the trip at 2 hours. That means leaving at 5:30 am. Does that sound right?

I will bring tubes and a pump in case I get a flat. Anything else I should be bringing?

Caretaker

"Anything else I should be bringing?"

Tyre/tire levers.

25 miles. Well, there's 25 miles & 25 miles. Depends wheter it's a flat 25 miles or a hilly 25 miles.

If it's flat then 2 hours should be more than sufficient.

When you get there be sure and let everyone know how you did it.

tsl

Yeah, that sounds about right. I find Google estimates a little conservatively, but I'm also a little faster than the average recreational rider. Google also estimates stoplight times and for me, that's the biggest variable. Either way, you have a half-hour to play with at the end, so you should be just fine.

Yes. I get an hour a bottle, so be sure you have two for a two-hour ride. I find that I need to fuel every hour on a ride. Put some sports drink in your second bottle, and bring some food you can eat while cycling, like a trail mix bar or something. Bring enough so you can do the same for the ride home.

And don't forget to have a couple of recovery donuts at the conference with your OJ!

clawhammer72

Thanks! Yes, the terrain matters. Thankfully, I'm riding down towards the coast on the way there. On the way back, I'll regret this of course. But, it's a mild slope. Like I said....baby steps.

Tire levers....check. Food....check. I like the sports drink in the second bottle, idea.

chewybrian 

Knock a couple m.p.h. off your normal pace, and that will make the extra distance much easier. Having a protein bar as soon as you arrive will help you feel better on the ride home, too.

Also, since you said it's two weeks away, how about a small trial run in a week or so? If you can go half the distance and back without distress, then you know you're good to go. Good luck, and have fun.

Torrilin

I find Google tends to estimate a bit fast for me. I run around a 10mph average. For long trips, I tend to allow more like 8mph to allow for things like bathroom breaks and getting lost. I don't usually need anything special in the way of food or drink. Eating regular meals and drinking about the same way I would if I were planning to be outside all day has worked fine for me on rides of 40 miles or so.

That said, "nothing special" means I'm still keeping a half eye out for things like my electrolyte balance because I've scared my doctor on that one a few times too many. If you have a medical situation that's a bit oddball... keep an eye on it. Or even a perfectly normal one.

cycleobsidian

Make sure you have a great set of bright head and tail lights and maybe a high viz jacket.

It looks like if you leave at 5:30, you will be doing more than half of your ride in the dark.

I love the idea of the ride but riding in the dark means that you have to pay extra attention.

Good luck!

Roody

I'm assuming you've ridden further than your 3 mile commute before--preferably at least 2/3 the distance you're planning to ride to the conference.

Also, I assume you know your route, or you'll have a map and/or good directions.

clawhammer72

All good points. The light is definitely something I need to do. I've done longer distances before. But, it's been a while. It's meeting the schedule and timing the ride that are the focus of the uncertainty. About 3/4 of the ride is going to be on a great river trail bike path -- smooth and car free -- so that should help. I like the idea of a trial run. Thanks for all the input.

Roody

Given that you've done a long ride before, and you apparently know the route, i think you'll do fine--with or without a trial run.

clawhammer72

Wife: You're riding where?
Me: UCI
Wife: Why don't you just let me drive you?
Me: Because I want to ride my bike.

chasm54

I commuted by bike for many years. For just under one year, the commute was 29 miles each way. It's at the limits of what I would recommend as a commute, because it took a big chunk of time out of every day. I got pretty fit, though.

If the trend of the outward journey is slightly downhill your 2-hour estimate should be generous, you'll have plenty of time to change etc. Coming back is different, becausevas well as the slight gradient you'll be more tired at the end of the day.make sure you eat properly during the day and are properly hydrated before you set off for home and you'll be fine.

clawhammer72

Just an update:
I took a practice ride to a friend's house yesterday (10 miles). He lives about halfway on the route I've chosen for next week. It went great, though it was dark. I left at 5:15am and arrived at 6:13am. I had a light but it wasn't really sufficient. Thankfully, that early in the morning, there weren't many cars on the road, and the roads were relatively free of potholes. I'm looking forward to the longer trip next week. And just to prove my "fred" credentials, I had a big tub of bread dough tied to my rear rack above my panniers. We spend the day smoking a pork shoulder which made delicious pulled pork sandwiches later that evening.

Roody

I tried smoking one back in the 70s but it woulddn't stay lit in the pipe.

clawhammer72

See, you need tobacco in the pipe and the pork in a weber kettle. ; ) ...and beer in the hand.