calbob76

My friends at the lbs are putting on a century ride in october and I plan on riding it fixed. Any tips for long distance riding? The most I've done in one ride is probably 50 miles so the century is double that.

hairnet

Eat plenty, drink plenty, paceline if the group is into that. Don't go out too hard and blow up. Don't underestimate the need to eat even in you aren't hungry

This is a good thread https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...rition-secrets

Long rides are good because they really point out where your bike's fit needs adjustment

jimmytango

I've never done one fixed, but I try to do one a month on my ss. Energy bars, lots of water, some peanuts, and make sure to pace yourself. Night before, high carb meal and lots of rest. Good luck dude.

rustybrown

there will be a lot of pedaling.

Leukybear 

One important point not mentioned above: don't forget to stretch pre - ride.

EDIT for reverence: I imply stretch with warm up included.

Lilcphoto

Yet, everytime I am out its like halfway into the ride before I remember to stretch... Trying to get my fiancee to make me a pictograph of my routine :-D

MuppetMower

it wasnt mentioned for a reason. Depending on who you talk to, cold-stretching is usually frowned upon.

hairnet

better to warm up during the ride and stretch during a short break. One nice thing about freewheeling is that you can stretch while on the bike.

I dont know if it needs to be clarified or not, but eat plenty of carbs. I often see noobs eating stuff like beef jerky on rides thinking that is what they need.

jimmytango

Cold stretching makes me achy. I prefer the freewheel stretch and the pit stop stretch. If you do yoga, running a few poses while at a rest stop is great.

Leukybear 

Augh my bads.. I thought you guys would've interpreted warming up on the bike at a slower pace first & then stretching as one..... oh well that's what I get for being brief from posting with my iphone....

soyboy

chamois are a good idea if you don't already have them, i've never used the gel kind but i've heard they feel even more like you **** yourself, if that bothers you

mikeetow

and chamois cream!! i always through it was messy and did not want to use it, but after a 1500 mile tour I am damn happy I used the cream.

oh dont be afraid to eat Fooood!

xavier853

Keep a consistant pace. Don't push too hard in the beginning

jdgesus 

eat and drink alot.. more then u think.
bananas are your friend

homebrewk

+1,000,000

Leukybear 

Post ride:
Drink milk! One of the best recovery drinks out there.
Recover carbohydrates; bread, oatmeal, cereal, pasta, rice, quinoa, etc. are good sources.
Protein for muscle recovery; good and healthy ways besides shakes are olives, olive oil, peanut butter, nuts, etc.

hairnet

and oranges

jdgesus 

i hate a bad orange..

hairnet

everything tastes better on a century

BmoreDrew

I've done a few. Well, some a little shorter.. the ride from my house to my friends beach house is about 85 miles. During the summer its pretty regular to ride there and hangout at the beach for a few days and ride back. Head wind the whole way there sucks, we almost never get over 15 mph unless we really push and thats stupid.. but its really nice coming home! lol

Few things I do/recommend.. maybe good for me, not for you.. "ride your own ride:"

• Leave earlier than you estimate you'll need to. So opt for the earliest time slot if possible.
• Night before: pasta, grilled chicken, olive oil.. good easy on the stomach meal to carb up.
• Lots of water, or at least options to stop for water. Drink before you're thirsty. Nuun additives are great and a little bubbly so it helps if my stomach gets a little rocky from too much gel or a bar.
• Light on the stomach: PBJ, Bananas, Frosted Cheerios (sugar), stuff like that. I like to cut up a pbj into bite sized sections and eat it out of a ziploc.
• "Pre-packaged" option: bars, gels, chews. I find after a lot of gel I get pain in the stomach and the gel makes me thirsty.. chews/shot blocks are great though. Powerbar cola flavor is amazing.
• Speaking of which: Bring a soda or have the option to stop at a convenience store is good. Drink some Pedialyte if you get really bad.
• Don't make it bigger than it needs to be. Even if you have to take your time and ride slow you will finish it.
• Don't stop for longer than you feel you have to. You will cramp up worse that way.

The most I ever rode before my first big ride was 30 miles. I cramped up at about 80 miles in. Luckily my buddies house was only a few more miles... and his girlfriend has her truck coming behind us. Damn right I bailed, there was cold beer at the house. lol

JoshTheSkier

Eat, eat, eat, drink, drink, drink, drink.

If you feel hungry or thirsty, it's too late. Eat before you're hungry and drink before you're thirsty.

I usually try to keep myself on a schedule, I eat/drink constantly when doing that kind of distance.

Good luck! You'll see it's not as bad as you think!

misskaz

I ride a couple DIY centuries a year, although not on my fixed gear. However, a friend always joins us for our Chicago to Milwaukee century and he rides it fixed.

Eat: Clif bars, Mojo bars, Stinger Waffles, trail mix, bananas, Jelly Belly sports beans for electrolytes. Personally, I HATE gels and refuse to eat them. The chews are ok but that gel stuff is nasty. I do sometimes get something like beef jerky just because you get SO SICK of everything being sweet and carby. Or you can stop for a cheeseburger for lunch.

Drink: Water and watered-down Gatorade. You can buy single-serve packets of Gatorade power that make it easy to mix up Gatorade throughout the day. Those nuun tablets are ok too. I have two bottle cages and one bottle is always plain water and one is always half-strength Gatorade/nuun. If this is not a charity ride where they are giving you water, a good idea is to stop at gas stations/convenience stores and split a gallon jug of water with your friends. Much cheaper than each buying individual bottles.

Wear: Shorts with chamois, for sure. Chamois cream is a good idea. Jersey so you can have easy access to sunglasses, chapstick, sunscreen, one of your foods, a handkerchief... October in MO, maybe you'll want arm warmers or a long sleeve shirt.

Ride: Steady pace, don't start out pushing it. Take frequent breaks if the group does.

Bring: Tools and tubes if there are no SAG cars arranged.

It might be a good idea to try to get one or two 65-70 mile rides in before your century. If nothing else, make sure your bike fits as well as possible. Fit issues really make themselves known on a century.

Good luck! You'll see - it's really fun and not all that hard.

dookie

this.

and don't be ashamed of sucking a wheel when you need a break!

ianjk

Keep pedalling.

Drink beer.

Water too.

Beef jerkey and/or gas station hotdogs.

hairnet

When did we become the roadie forum?