wickedchicken

Over the weekend my girlfriend and I did our first century and then some. We rode the outriders route (www.outriders.org) from Boston to Provincetown on Saturday...roughly 125 miles. I'm on a Jamis Nova that's stock save a brooks b17 saddle, and she's on what we think is an older trek--a painted over, free hand-me-down roadie she got from a friend. We were lucky to have a beautiful day with very little wind. The route is fantastic. It's very well-marked and there are maps and cue sheets available on the outriders website for anyone who's considering the trip.

We left Boston around 7:15am and arrived 12 hours later, which put our pace at a very recreational 10mph average, including plenty of stops (inc. one for a flat that even tore up my gatorskin tire). I carried a lightly loaded tail bag and bar bag since we were going to stay with family vacationing in North Truro. We rolled in just in time for a big seafood dinner & slept like logs that night! The next day we hung out on the beach at Race Point, had another seafood dinner, and then caught the ferry back to boston.

It was such a fun trip & a great affirmation of the joys of bicycling...we lucked out with great roads, courteous drivers, beautiful ocean views, and perfect weather. It was really something, riding out of metro boston, through the burbs, and finally getting into some quieter stretches. As for us, we're both in our 30s. While we're diligent about cross-training, unfortunately neither of us has spent a lot of time in the saddle this season (prior to the trip our 2 longest rides were both 30-milers). Our biggest a-ha was about nutrition. Both of us had a couple of low-points where we started to bonk...we should've been more consistent with calorie intake and electrolytes. That said, we took our time, went out with the goal of enjoying ourselves, and had a really fun go of it.

Mainly I just wanted to say thanks to everyone because we've picked up a lot of tips on this forum. They made for a more comfortable, trouble-free ride!...we definitely appreciate this resource and the collective wisdom.

spokenword

congratulations! If you're feeling like taking another challenge, you can also do a century from Cambridge to Cape Ann.

goatforce5

Congratulations!

What's that route like? Many climbs?

donrhummy

Great job! Centuries are fun to ride and they make you feel good for weeks afterwards!

wickedchicken

As for the route, it's pretty gentle. Some rolling hills, esp on the cape itself, with a couple of climbs that felt notable (due mostly to gradual fatigue--no killer grades and the FD went unused). There's a cue sheet on the outriders site, but I don't think they have a profile map.

Thanks all! It's definitely addictive. That cape ann ride looks pretty cool. Next mini-adventure I have scheduled is to take the train to Portland, ME and ride to Acadia over a couple of days. I'll stay with a friend or motel it, and then the GF meets me in acadia for a week of camping. Can't wait!

sringlee

If you are taking the train to Portland, consider riding back to Boston. There is a bike trail from Portland to Portsmouth (map available from Maine Dept of Transportation and online). The NH coast is a great ride and once you hit Mass, you can take the commuter rail inbound starting from Newburyport if it gets too dark or you bonk. I did it last November and got as far as Rowley before I ran out of light.

buzzman

congrats!

this is a ride I do frequently and always enjoy it. I love riding to Provincetown and then catching the ferry home, riding through downtown Boston, hopping on the bike path and riding back home to Newton along the Charles.


they come just at the end, sometimes accompanied by a good stiff wind in the face but they are manageable and the scenery is great- add to that the fact that you can see the Provincetown tower as you're climbing so you know you're almost there.