Panza

Hi guys, I did my first lengthy ride yesterday: )! I feel quite proud of myself, though others might not think its so long haha. I rode 82 miles, with 2800ft climbed, averaging 16.8mph with traffic and stops, in 04 hours 53 minutes.

I have goals of being able to ride in a local charity century. I thought my legs would be dead and I would not be able to walk today, however I was able to do a good hour ride just fine this morning and the damage to my legs weren't as bad as I thought.

Any post long ride tips? And do you guys think I'll be ready for the full century?

contango 

If you did 82 miles I'd be amazed if you can't complete 100 miles. Basically what you're doing is the ride you did today and then tacking 18 miles on the end. By the time you've done 80 miles the last handful aren't all that far.

zymphad

I would assume with a huge pack of people breaking down the wind for you, you'll destroy that century. And hopefully the other riders will be awesome like yourself Maybe will average even faster.

Also great job!

RollCNY

If you can ride 82, you can ride 100. And if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball (if you are a Rip Torn fan).

Riding a century is mostly in your head.

decotriumph 

Good job!

Panza

You guys have got me pumped up! I want to ride more but I think I should rest also ...

zymphad

After that, you'll be training for ultra distance races.

PiLigand

Wow, Cheers, man. That's a solid ride for sure. You'll be fine on the century.

Post-ride trip is really all nutrition: Chocolate milk. Also, if you're lactose intolerant like me: PB&J.
Even if they aren't scientifically sound, delightful nonetheless.

Good luck with your ride!

dtrain

Nice!

alexaschwanden

Good job!

zymphad

Protein shake probably do fine. I'm lactose intolerant and the ON Gold shake with mostly Whey Isolate doesn't bother me at all. Whey Isolate (hydrolized) for the most part is lactose free. Maybe if you are on the extreme of intolerance may bother you.

That and more and more people are thinking milk may negatively affect with increase in prostate cancer, hip fractures etc, that there are better sources of calcium like vegetables, beans etc.

Comparison Whey protein is being promoted as prostate cancer preventative.

"The finding: Glutathione levels rose by a remarkable 64 percent. "Whey is a great source of the amino acid cysteine, and cysteine can become glutathione in the body," explains Rosemary L. Walzem, R.D., Ph.D., director of the Center for Nutrition, Health, and Food Genomics at Texas A&M University."

Who knows, I don't have much choice in the matter, I avoid lactose as much as possible and if for some reason lacking protein that day or after a run/cycle, I'll drink a shake.

Panza

Ah, I usually drink a whey protein shake after my hard runs. Either that or a heart meal of fish and blah. I am indeed lactose intolerant so thanks for the consideration : )!!

zeego

Good going!

caloso

You're ready.

OldsCOOL

Good job on that 82, you knocked it out! Before my first century I did an 81mi ride the week prior. Yeah man, get after it.

lyrictenor1

Nice job! Get it!!

FIVE ONE SIX

congrats! you're DEFINITELY ready for the century. i honestly rode my first century (114 miles) my first year riding, with nothing longer a 60 mile ride under my belt, on only 4 hours sleep. and since it's with a group, i'm sure the other riders will be willing to help you out if you need anything. here's some advice...

- eat a bowl of pasta and drink a glass of red wine the night before the ride.
- get a really good nights sleep the night before the ride. meaning don't wake up early to eat a meal before the ride, you can eat something at the first stop and the extra sleep would benefit you more.
- don't over hydrate the day before the ride, drink your usual daily intake of water.
- set your bike computer or watch to beep every 15 minutes, so you don't forget to drink and you stay hydrated.
- don't bring a carry on with you, bring what you normally bring on a ride. if you're with a group, everyone's going to have tubes, co2 cartridges, most likely a frame pump, a bike wrench, ect.
- the longer you ride, the harder it will be for your body to digest food, so eat food earlier in the ride and stick to gel shots towards the end of the ride.

and lastly, do pretty much what you did during the 82 mile ride! translation: don't try something out for the first time during a century ride, especially considering it sounds like your numbers for the 82 mile ride were good...

just remember to have fun, and take pictures of course...

f4rrest

Drink an ice-cold Coke at mile 85. It's heavenly!

UnfilteredDregs

Is there usually a concession at the 85 mile mark?!?!?!

f4rrest

There was a 7-11 convenience store.

Desert Dave

True dat!

FIVE ONE SIX

+2

Panza

Wow! Thanks for all the century tips! The 15 minute clock is something I can probably adapt to my group rides too maybe to make sure I drink enough?

Panza

I'm on the cult of people who don't drink carbonated drinks?! -- But when I do have to drink them, I usually shake the fizz out until it's not as fizzy. I must be awkward. Haha

awfulwaffle 

Well done! Usually, I drink some whey protein after my longer rides and it seems to cut down recovery time considerably (though it could all be in my head). Like others have said, if you can ride 82 you can ride 100. The longest training rides my friends and I did preparing for our first century were 60 miles. The thought was, if we can ride 60 miles 3 days in a row, we can ride 100 miles in one day, rest/visit with friends at our destination, and do 100 miles back the day after that. Worked out fine, though our times on the first ride weren't as good as yours!