Riding in my first century tomorrow...
 

A friend of mine dropped out at the last minute and offered me their place in the rideau lakes cycling tour. I said hells jess I'll take it, its been sold-out since mid-March.

...well I've never ridden more than 50k in a single ride before, and that was not exactly at a fast pace. I'm not looking to win anything, just want to enjoy the ride.

What kinds of gels/bars do you recommend? should I get a 2nd bottle/cage or ditch the bottles and use my camelbak? anything else I should take with me?

anything i should do to prep for this tonight? tomorrow morning?

Is this a metric?

Eat often, and sooner than you think you need to. Especially if this will be the first time you've ridden that distance, the fatigue will catch up with you....

Eat what you like & what you are used to eating. Take advantage of food at rest stops, but make sure you have some of your own.

yes but its two of them back to back (well, its an overnighter)

I don't think italian sausages will keep too well in my jersey pocket though...

Figure out your pace and stick with it.
Be most careful to not burn out early.
Have fun it is not a race.

drink often. eat after an hour. take it easy in the beginning.

seeing as this is your first long ride: suck wheel until the end.

Like ... 100 km one day, and 100 km the next day? Or 50 km one day and 50 km the next day? If so, they are good rides, but not a century. A century is 100 miles in one day.

That said, just aim to eat about 250 calories and hour and drink a bottle an hour ... and take it easy out there.

Fine - edit my post to read "eat what you are used to eating on rides". :rolleyes:

I would go with another cage because CBs are annoying on long rides. Don't skip feed stations and load-up on food and water/sports drinks every time. Oh, bring a pen and paper 'cause if you're single, feed stations are like meat markets...my single buddies tell me this. Don't drink alcohol the night before.

Sounds like great news.

It's kind of late for us to be making recommendations on what you should eat. But try to eat things that seem appetizing to you. PB & J's are a safe bet along with bananas, Clif bars, Hammer gels, Hammer liquid fuels. I mean I'm just throwing stuff out there because I have no idea what they offer at the aid stations.

Look over your bike, get a good night's sleep and don't worry you'll have fun!

Oh almost forgot I would make sure you take vitamins (anti-oxidants) and have a good protein source so you are ready for the next day. And once again when you are done with both days. I caught a cold after my first century. Your immune system will be compromised and you will have to boost it as part of your recovery.

For me a solo 100 km ride requires only two full water bottles unless it is BLAZING hot or it is at race pace. Then I require more water. Greater than that requires some food for me.

If you think that you will need some food try taking a baked potato. It is very bland and packs a lot of calories. It is very unlikely that your body will "reject" (and by that I mean "eject") that. And there is zero packaging to worry about.

If you're slow, it should be around 4 hours of riding.

Take 2x750ml water, and some food. Eat before you're hungry and drink before you're thirsty, and go kick some arse

Clif's Shot Blox go down well for me on long rides.

Like others have said, just pace yourself (don't jump with the rabbits at mile 1), eat/drink lots, and don't forget to enjoy the ride too.

For your information we are all slow.... its just to what degree.

Pop Tarts, Cheetos, and Mountain Dew.

You'll be good to go.

Good luck!

mmmm pop tarts! Lots O carbs in a convenient package.

:lol: too much.

What rate do you suggest instead?

Everyone is different, but that rate seems to work for Machka considering the big rides she's completed.

Well maybe not too much if he was really humongous.

the OP is talking about 100km, not some ridiculous number like 300+km.

But cream! You will thank me.....

Wait, that sounds like standard botto race tactics.

True, and a valid point - but I think beginners should overshoot their eating/drinking if anything, rather than try to lowball it.

An experienced rider could do this ride on a few water bottles and a few Gu packets, but beginners may need more fuel since they'll be out there longer.

Do I get a prize for doing 2 metric centuries tomorrow?

Maybe someone can make me a "Bike Forums" badge of self loathing.