frail1

I've done a search and found some helpful info, but was still wondering about this.

How much water, do you usually refill somewhere? (I don't like a camelback on the road). I've 2 bottles.

How fast do you usually go, i.e., use your speed or HR to guide pace, or just spin and enjoy?

Any extra gear over a usual 2-4 hr ride? I won't be in the middle of nowhere, but mostly on farm roads.

Food type? Stops?

Are solo's a waste of 5-6 hrs, and should I search out a partner?

Finally, (forgive me if too esoteric) why? For the... isolation, pain, pleasure, exercise, challenge, anything else? I want to do one, but seem uncertain what's going on in my head. Like to hear your story. Thanks so much.

telenick

I ride several solo centurys over the summer. Some are a little longer and some a little shorter.

I plan on refueling and refilling every 20-30 miles.

I usually guide pace by HR.

I have two casettes... 13-29 and 12-26 with a 53-39 chain ring combo. I live at 10,000' and usually climb anywhere from 4000 - 10,000 feet in a solo century.

I dress for comfort and pack for the worst. Once I finished a solo in a hail storm. Getting a hail stone through the vent of your helmet gives you quite the ice cream headache. I thought it was going to hail in last Sunday's Santa Fe Century because it did the previous day. I was nervous about that.

Food? I'm now a Sharkies fan. They're like swedish fish and they have slow and fast burn carbs. I also like the Enervit products. I like their GT tablets and their cheer packs. I also pack Sportlegs to stave off lactic burn fatique. I like bananas and cytomax and accelerade too. Basically I pack all kinds of stuff to eat and drink.

Solos are'nt a waste. You'll learn you pace better alone than with a group and you'll get lot's of meditation time to boot.

Finally, I sometimes roll with one of these... you can use both the top and bottom or just the top.

OC Roadie

I take 2 water bottles and refill along the way, every 1 1/2 - 3 hours depending on the heat. I live and ride solo in an area where gas stations or convienence stores are never far away. I usually ride an average of 17.5 - 19.5 mph and use HR to pace myself. I try to stick to 75-80% MHR, on climbs I always end up at 85-95%. I try not to pay too much attention to the HR becuase it takes some of the pleasure out of long rides, which are favorite type.
Extra Gear:
Carry a pump or 3 c02 cartridges
2 tubes and a patch kit
Strap a folding tire under your seat (I don't do this, but one day I'm gonna learn the hard way)
cell phone
$10
spare chain pin
Advil

For food I usually bring about 5 gels, a baggie with about 6 Fig Newtons, a Cliff Bar and a few baggies with drink mix for when I refill my bottles. I'll usually get fruit and candy or bars along the way.

I like to ride solo, but it really depends on your personality. I also like riding in fast pace lines on organized centuries, so it's just up to you. I plan on doing my first solo century of the year this Sunday 100-120 miles. Have fun, good luck and let us know how it goes.

The Octopus 

I've done a lot of solo centuries, a number of them in the winter with truly bad weather. The advice of those above on what to bring is sound, although the food and water elements are, I think, largely matters of personal preference. You'll get a better idea of what you like and what you need as you do more of this stuff. Personally, I take two granola bars and plan a stop somewhere to grab a more substantive meal, and I stop to refill water bottles (2) as needed. (In the winter, water is a pain -- have to keep it from freezing!) Food intake goes up dramatically as a function of how much climbing is involved (most of my solo centuries are only 5K of climbing; I'll double that in a group ride, though). I also eschew the replacement tire, and go with only one tube and several patches. I try to limit clothing to what I'll reasonably need, rather than planning for every possible circumstance (a lot of this will depend on the climate you ride in and your tolerance for changes in temperature).

As for why, it's a different kind of ride than doing the long stuff with partners. It's more of an adventure, and you don't ever get the help of a draft. On my solos, I usually go out with only a vaguely planned route (but a very good map!) and just explore the countryside. It's also fun to hook up routes that include riding with different folks, none of whome like to ride the long stuff. I got in 120 miles on Sunday by riding with one friend in the AM, then riding to meet a group elsewhere, going out with them, and then riding back to my car. Good fun!

caloso

Not a waste of time at all. I'd love to have 5 or 6 hours to listen to the wind and hum of my wheels.

I'd load up my jersey pockets with bananas and cookies. Or gels if that's your thing. Take some money for lunch and emergencies. And be ready for temperature changes. Around here, that just means arm and knee warmers.

Last summer I did a century by combining a 30 mile ride with a buddy, a 50 mile group training ride, and 20 solo miles. I left early, the time went really quickly and I was home by lunch time. Something you might consider.

Let us know how it goes!

oneradtec

Spare tube x's 2
pump
tire levers(wedges...whatever you call 'em!)
2 large water bottles(filled) (Polar brand 'insulated' Water bottles recommended)
banana
2-3 Clif Bars
ziplock bag containing Gatorade powder
Money
Cell phone

Have fun!

Machka 

Check my website in the signature line below. There's an article there on riding a century ... especially geared toward those riding their first centuries.



Drink one 750 ml (3 cup) bottle of water every 1 to 1.5 hours while you ride. So yes, you're going to have to stop at a convenience store or somewhere to refill now and then.



However fast I like.



See that article I mentioned in my site in my signature line.



Eat about 250 calories per hour of whatever you like. Be sure to consume some things with sodium and potassium.



Hahahahahaha!!! Funny ... sorry. I almost always ride long distances solo. No, of course it is not a waste of time.



I ride long distances because I enjoy riding long distances.

frail1

Thanks for all the info. I'm going to try over the next 1-2 weeks if the rain ever stops! I know this is a heated subject, but do you take any tunes, you know... if the thoughts are all worn out?

mooncricket

might want some vaseline/lotion to safeguard against saddle sores if you're not used to long hauls on the bike

never take tunes. you are out there to be one with the wind, sun, earth, asphalt.

sorry, but despite all their marketing efforts, life doesn't come with a soundtrack

take it easy on the first century, have fun so you'll come back wanting more


and, oh, yeah, load up the fridge at home with ice cream, beer, and all your favorite goodies (to celebrate your completion of the century); if possible get the girlfriend/wife to be waiting at the door, ready with the massage oil

frail1

So, it happened today, just like...that.

I started off on a relaxing 70-100km ride, to scope out a route I was interested in. The supplies were a fruit bar and a power type bar, 2 bottles of water, spare tube, patch kit, tool, link, cell phone and visa.

I had on a Sugoi vest, socks, shorts, Sidi 4 shoes, Mec tights, undershirt cycling shirt, arm warmers(lbs stuff), and Specialized BG gloves.

Bike is 58cm Rocky Mtn. Solo AC:70, with 9 sp Ultegra, Kysrium elites, and Hutcheson Reflex's at 104.3 lbs. at start of ride.

Weather 18`, few puffy white clouds, and sun! Beautiful. Little wind seemed to be at my back both ways!

Anyway, the ride was terrific, 167.04kms, ave sp=28.25km/hr, ride time 6:00.55, don't know total time because my stopwatch is messed, but I'd guess 6:15-6:20, for pee, border crossings, etc..

US border guards, awesome...Cdn. guard...*******!



Lessons...bring more food, anticipate a longer ride than expected. I love my bike and riding. Plan to do a 250km solo up Baker soon!

Thanks to all for the advice and support.

stealthbiker

For the next time consider a water bottle carrier that fastens to your seat post (like you see on tri bikes). I have one and don't usually use it but it does come in handy to carry extra water bottles such as on a solo century. Leaves your pockets free for extra food and is more comfortable than stuffing a bottle in them.