cmcenroe

I am planning to ride my first century in the next couple of weeks and I am wondering what I should bring. The ride is a well organized ride with a small group (200 or so) with good SAG as well as plenty of stops.

Also, should I bring my aerobars? I know there are a bunch of you who get "irritated" that riders have the bars. Don't worry, I wont do any group riding with them. No, I am not doing a 100 mile time trial at 26 miles per hour. I have heard that they can be more comfortable for longer rides and I think they are fun, too. But I know that they weigh a good amount and I am wondering if I should just leave them home. The ride has a claimed increase of 4900 ft, although I have heard that the climbing is not that bad.

Thanks

Colin

Mentor58

I like having them, but am careful not to get on them when riding in a group, or around other folks. They give a good change of positions, and are nice when you find you are fighting a headwind. I've got them on my touring bike, and I can assure you that I'm not doing any TTs on that.

Your Mileage May Vary....

Steve W.

HWS

Put em on your bike. It's better to have them and not need them then need them and not have em.

If worse comes to worse, you can always toss them in the SAG wagon.

thewalrus

4 or 5 different flavours of clif bar
two 830ml water bottles
tube AND patch kit

cmcenroe

How about a camelback?

Mentor58

Some people really like camelbacks, one thing going for them is that a lot of people are more likely to take frequent sips to keep the hydration level up. Generally I don't ride with one, when I do it feels strange. I'm sure that if I rode with it on a consistant basis I'd be part of their fan club, as for now, I'm neutral on them.

Make sure that whatever food you bring will sit well on the stomach. My local wally-mart has a nice brand of goop (sweet and salty) that I pack up into smaller bags, and toss in my seatbag or in my jersey.

Keep your system hydrated, I make it a point to every few minutes to take a sip or two of water. If you catch yourself getting thirsty, or lips get dry you are already behind the curve. I make it a habit to 'top off the tank' at rest stops, I like the nice cold drinks, and want to get some extra into me. Eat regularly, I usually nibble as I ride, some foods are better than others for me, I don't like things that are too sticky and dry.

If it's your first Century, pace yourself. If it's a mass start event, don't get sucked up into the fast groups, find a group that is going the rate you are, and just hang with them. Also, if it's a mass start, be careful for the first couple of miles until the group gets spread out. I've seen some pretty ugly accidents caused by people who haven't ridden in large groups get tangled together.

Last, but not least... Have FUN. Enjoy the ride, the scenery, the people around you. Chat up the folks at the rest stops, let them know how much you appreciate them. When you get done, realize that you did it.

Enjoy.

Steve W.

puddin' legs

Aerobars... fine so long as you stay off them around other riders.

CardiacKid

If there are rest stops every 10 to 15 miles, a Camelbak is overkill. I bring a bottle of water and a bottle of Gatorade type drink. Fill them up at every stop. On your first century, take advantage of the rest stops. I'd eat at least 1/2 a banana at every stop or whatever equivilent they provide.
I'd also bring a couple of gels for emergencies and the equipment to change and patch a tube.
I don't use aerobars and I wouldn't recommend them if the climbing is going to be difficult. Weight is your enemy on hills.

jazzy_cyclist

Well, the idea is that you should have been doing longish rides up to a week before the century, and that's the time to experiment with food, mechanical changes, etc. If you have and have felt okay, then the century is just another longish ride. It's generally not a great idea to try a new idea on the day of the century (like changing your saddle position, eating a new food, etc.)

My wife was going to use a Camelback, but never practiced with it beforehand, so left it at home. I can't speak to aerobars. Just make sure that you eat, drink, and pace yourself and you will be fine.

jschen

I haven't ridden a century yet, but as to a Camelback, if you use one now, you probably should stick with it. If you don't currently use one, don't make the jump just before a long ride. And if you currently use a smallish one (say, 50 oz/1.5 liter), don't suddenly change to a really large one (100 oz/3 liter). I have those two sizes, and I can tell you that the feel of the large one on your back is very different (even when not full). If you have rest stops along the way, carrying 100 oz of water is overkill, anyway.

thechalkoutline

Is it annoying to have that thing in your mouth all the time?

operator

You'll most likely want aerobars if you're doing a solo century. Cause when a headwind blows for the last 50km. That's going to suck.

merlinextraligh

Do you plan on riding in a pace line with other riders for a good portion of the ride? If so, as you point out, they won't be of use for that. However you'll have to lift the extra pound the alomot mile of vertical.

cc_rider

Do you mean the Camelback nozzle? You should use it only when you want to take a sip. Otherwise is just hangs there, out of the way.

If your rest stops are only 10 to 15 miles apart, you dont' need a camelback, unless you like the convienence.

Markedoc

Even if the stops are 30-35 miles apart you don't need a Camelback (unless you want one). 2 large bottles should be fine every couple of hours.

cmcenroe

Quite honestly, I have never ridden in a paceline before, and the idea is a bit frightening to me at this point (I am a fairly new cyclist)

kosherdave

my first century I brought WAY to much stuff. I was literally bulging at the seams of my jersey pockets. I'd say a couple clif bars, and get some of that (organic) fruit leather, it is good, has sugar, yet is healthy and fits without taking up room. don't forget a tool to change a tire. I got a flat 5 miles from the end, that goodness my riding buddy had his on him, cause I was stupid and did not bring it.

DannoXYZ 

Yes, bring the bars. They'll help on the downhills.

SF Biker

Best advice is: Eat before you are hungry, and drink before you are thirsty. In regards to hydration you will need to drink about 16 ounces per hour of riding (small gulps are best). In regards to food, your body can only store enough carbs for UP TO two hours of excercise (everyone is different but the 2 hour rule generally holds true). If you go in to zone 4 or 5 you are mainly burning carbs so you will blow through them in way less than 2 hours. So, you will need to eat, on the bike or at the rest stops. Also, if you are sweating a lot on a hot day (probably not applicable this time of year) you will need to make sure that you do not lose your electrolytes.

Here is my recipe:

1 egg, whole wheat toast with peanut butter for breakfast.

1 sixteen ounce bottle of Accelerade drink per hour.

Every other hour 1 gel pack (ie, Hammer Gel, Gu, etc). You pick one as they all have around 25 grams of carbs and 100 total calories.

For a century it is not just the distance it is how you manage your nutrition.

Finally, pace your self and have fun!!

ovoleg

Hey is this for the PlanetUltra century???

I tried yesterday but couldn't sign up...Will try again today.

BAH!

PS: Aerobars shouldn't be needed. They will help but not by much

Sooner Rider

Fear is good. Listen and observe others as they enter and leave the paceline, take the pull and fall back, watch speeds and rider separations as grades change, draft a little from a distance, NEVER OVERLAP WHEELS, get the feel of echelon positions in crosswinds. Near the end when everyone tires, sloppy riding leads to bumps and falls - don't let your exhaustion tempt you into the paceline lest you take out some of the riders.

Pacelines are the coolest thing in the world - like NASCAR except we do it on two wheels and without the firesuits.

cmcenroe

That is pretty much how I am feeling about it too. They listed that online registration would not close until November 1 and they went and closed the thing two days ahead of schedule. This costs riders like you and me $20 since we planned to register at the last minute. I wasn't sure if I was even going to ride until yesterday, and lo and behold!

Registration is closed.

I sent them a moderately nasty e-mail (well not really nasty, just let them know I was upset about spending extra money)

BAH!

cmcenroe

So do people really ride in formation for 100 miles?

ovoleg

yea

This sucks!

its locked!

I'll have to do a solo one then ;(

outashape

If you have not done any long distance cycling, bring the aerobars. They will give your rear end a break. If you have cycled 70-80 miles on several occasions comfortably, leave them at home, they will just weigh extra for the 4900 feet of climbing. I put my aerobars on when I do a week long bike tour, but for a day event, it is not worth the bother.