Tomorrow's my first organized ride!!

[momtohanna]

This is it, this was the goal I set to help me stay motivated to get on the bike and push myself.

Tomorrow's my first organized ride. There's a 65 mile and 35 mile option. I'm planning on the 35 mile.

I've felt pretty prepared but now I'm getting nervous. I'm a little worried since I've been having these feet problems the last week or so, but I'm doing it!!

I'm really excited and would love a couple things:

1. stories of your first rides (no crash and burns please lol)

2. Information about how it works ~ like getting your packet, starting ~ what's in the packet? Do they call everyone and yell go or what??

3. Also what should I bring with me. It's only 35 miles and there's sag so do I need snacks etc? Should I bring 1 tube or 2?

AHhhh.... I'm really getting excited ~ just wish it wasn't quite so early :) But it will at least keep me in the cool part of the day since the weather report has changed since earlier in the week, now it's going to be hotter and windier than originally predicted.

thanks!!

[Reesha]

It's always safe to bring 2 tubes. I have heard horror stories about double flats from people and the only double flat I've ever had is because a mischievous student let the air out of my tires while my bike was parked at school. :rolleyes:

My first real group ride was a century, but I did not prepare well and I was completely alone for the majority of it. Here my exercise in stupidity in bullet format:

I did not stretch the night before or the morning of
I decided in all my brilliance to drink the night before
I did not eat real food prior to the event (it started too early and I was hungover)
I did not pace myself-- I struggled to keep up with all the hammerheads for a while and then burned out


Back then I didn't really have anyone helping out with these things. Granted, it was my own decision to throw common sense out the window. It would have been nice if someone had been able to give me pointers before the century but they hadn't. All I knew is that I'd been on 75 mile rides before and hadn't done anything special to prepare and this would probably be the same. Ugh!

I have learned a great many thing since then!

Soooo... have something to eat that has carbs and protein about 4 hours before your ride. I am doing a 50 miler today, so I am having some steel cut oats with maple syrup, nuts and dried fruit.

Pack something to eat for the ride-- easily digested carbs. Bananas are great!

Stretch beforehand ;)

Do not go out with friends the night before :o

Good luck!

[kermit]

Excellent advice above. I did my first century with my hammerhead husband. We started with a pack of about 40 riders and looked down doing 25 mph without hardly pedaling. That was the first hour and we wound up doing 62 miles because of the weather. Pace yourself or try to team up. Most groups will welcome you to join in with someone your pace. My ride was well supported and guys on mopeds were around if you flatted. Just eat plain, good food because as soon as you get up early so will your digestive system.
Your packet will probably contain some cool samples of goos and gels and your number. My club requires a number on the back and stickered number on the helmet (looks stupid). Four little safety pins will work. The start is a mass start and you will see the hammerheads go first, just take you time and pick a hole. Hope that helps, HAVE FUN!
Is there a BBQ or beer afterwards, thats the best part.

[momtohanna]

There is a bbq after ~ my mom will have my daughter there will they be able to come?

Also do I need to bring safety pins with me or will they provide those?

I'm getting really excited as the day goes on.

Jackie

[kermit]

Hopefully you will get four little pins in your packet if they have their stuff together, and yes your daughter will absolutely be welcome. You will love it, I'm doing one next month. Let us know how it goes. Oh, go to bed early!!!!!!!

[momtohanna]

Thanks for all your support ~ I'm really excited. I'll pop in tomorrow and let you know how it went. I'm sure there will be pictures and video lol.

[Reesha]

Oh man I would kill for a BBQ right now. Mmmm bbq chicken.

They might charge a bit for your mom to eat at the bbq, but that's the only thing I could think of happening.

Enjoy your ride-- pace, hydrate and feed yourself and you will love it!

[ny biker]

If they give you a number to wear, they should have pins for you to put it on your jersey.

It's best to bring snacks you're used to eating during rides. You don't want to eat something at the rest stop that you're not used to eating because it might not agree with you.

If there's a mass start, they'll have everyone assemble at the start, you'll stand around while they make some announcements, and then they'll let you go. It will be slow at first while you're in the starting bunch. If you use clipless pedals, you'll probably want to keep one foot unclipped until you really get moving.

If it's show-and-go, you check in, get your bike and everything ready, hit the bathroom, and off you go when you're ready.

Before I leave home, I make sure I haven't forgotten anything by doing a head-to-toe check. Is my helmet packed? Sunglasses? Food and drink? Gloves? etc. down to -- Shoes and socks?

Also you might want to bring clean clothes to change into after the ride.

Good luck and have fun!

[Sadie]

Have fun!

[sco_oter]

Have a wonderful time!

Just remember to pace yourself and HAVE FUN!

And let us know all about it!

[Miranda]

Have a wonderful time!

Just remember to pace yourself and HAVE FUN!

And let us know all about it!

+1 to this advice... and giving us the report. :)

[uforgot]

I remember my first group ride, breast cancer awareness, and I also met Fastdogs there. It was great, and I do remember not knowing what to expect, and greatly relieved having that first ride out of the way. The rest were easy.
Give us a report!

[kermit]

Well...how was it?

[momtohanna]

Let's just say I'm glad I didn't have a better working definition of "rolling hills" before I started. :)

With that being said it went pretty well. Other than serious toe pain I didn't have any problems. My legs held up, my lungs held up and I did it in the time goal I had set for myself.

It was really fun. There was no "packet" and no number. I was a little disappointed lol that would have been a great souvenier. I did get a tshirt though.

If you want the full blow by blow I wrote it up on my blog, but all in all I had a great time, and I'm ready to go again. Found another ride on the 11th. :D

Thanks for all your support and encouragement! I could hear your little voices in my head saying ride your own ride. :)

Jackie