Has anyone ever done the NJ MS Coast the Coast 170 mile ride??? This year the ride is May 19&20. I've never done an over night ride - and am a little aprehensive. If you've done this ride, or one similar - can you let me know what to expect? What should I pack (they take an overnight bag for you), what should I carry on me on the ride itself. What is the first day mileage and second day mileage? Any information would be appreciated - I'm starting to get NERVOUS!!!!! Thanks.

Take some clean shorts for the 2nd day. Clean socks are also a great morale booster.

Take a few spares (inner-tube, brake and gear cables), puncture repair kit, allen keys/multitool, penknife, pump. You are bound to find mechanical help if you breakdown, but it helps if you have the bits to do the repair.
Usual day-touring kit would be some munchies, water, spare clothing/waterproofs depending on weather, small first aid kit, camera. Carry it on a luggage rack, not on your shoulders.

Two 85 milers are tough, but any regular cyclist can do it. Just pace yourself and avoid sprinting. Get some longer rides in before the event, but dont do anything hard the day before the event. And eat a big breakfast.

GnG,

I'm doing my first MS150 this year, too (Bike to the border, in Virginia). Here's what I've heard about the local ride. Hopefully the organizers for your ride do a similar job.

Everybody I've talked to says this is the best organized, best supported ride anywhere. There are supposed to be rest stops every 10-15 miles with food & beverages.

Even though rooms are taken care of, we're supposed to bring sheets & blanket, pillow, towel, toiletries, change of clothes, windbreaker, rain clothing, and an alarm clock. (Luggage is SAGged to overnight accomodations.)

For the bike, they recommend Identification, Emergency cash, water bottle(s), helmet, sunglasses, lip balm, sunscreen, cycling shoes, padded cycling shorts. They also list tire patch kit and tube and tire pump as optional items, which makes me think they plan to patrol the course pretty carefully.

In any case, you should have received a handbook... double check it before making last minute preparations.

Hope you have a great ride. Tell us about it when you get done!

Thanks for the advice! I've also done different MS rides both here in Jersey and in NYC, and I agree - they always do a wonderful job feeding us and making sure everyone makes it. I've just never been on an overnighter - and I'm not sure what to bring. But thanks for your suggestions and I'll let you know how it goes!!!

ooops - sorry - I was panic stricken and desperate for advice and when no one responded in the first five minutes - I shamefully put out another post. 'I am torry' (all you Howard Stern fans will get that one!!!!)

Well we did it - the ride was this past weekend. I must say, we did GREAT!! Not only did I finish the ride, I acheived my personal highest average ever for both days. I was exhausted, but thrilled. I learned that pacelines are the key - they really saved me.

I also used some advice I got somewhere on this forum (can't remember who) - and that is to think of the rides as smaller rides. I chunked the 85 mile ride into rides between each rest stop - and that really helped my mental state. I did a century and hit the wall when I hit the 50mile mark because I kept thinking I'm only half way there. I didn't use that strategy with this ride, and it helped tremendously!

Thanks for your encouragement and advice!!