Do a Metric Century on my Own???

[Aggie_Ama]

I have really been planning to ride a full century 5/13 with DH. He has to work and I don't want to skip the ride. They offer a Metric Century option and I am kicking around the idea of doing it without my DH. It is a ride that expects 1500 participants, so I wouldn't exactly be alone. I have never rode more than 19 miles without him.

I know it ends up being my choice, but how much fun is it to ride one of these by yourself? Thoughts?

PS- I have never succeeded in changing my own flat (hasn't been a problem since buying some gator skins). I don't have any friends that are cyclists to invite along.

[Nanci]

I do all my rides without BF. (Or on the rare occasion we're at the same event, he's always lots faster, anyway...) Sometimes there are lots of friendly people going my speed, sometimes I am mostly alone- but I enjoy myself almost always. I think you should do it!!

Nanci

[Trekhawk]

Go you will have a wonderful time. I always ride on my own but at organized rides I always seem to meet some nice soul along the way to ride with.

Enjoy your ride and let us know how you get on.:)

[CorsairMac]

Aggie: I do all my distance rides all alone and completely sef-supported ie: I carry all my food and all my water. and I have loved every single one of those rides. NM does pretty much all their organized events on Sun and I can't attend due to other obligations. Since this is an organized event you won't really be alone. You might log some miles between people but you'll either catch up with a group at a food stop, or have a group catch up with you that you'll ride with for awhile, or you may just find someone early on that rides your pace and do the whole route together.

My vote: do the century! You'll love it (not to mention something you can brag about to the DH ;) )

[Nanci]

You have time to go to the bike shop and have them give you a class on how to change your tire! Then you don't have to be afraid _ever_!

Nanci

[Lise]

Oh, definitely do it! You'll have a great time and make some new friends. Looking forward to the report. :) L.

[maillotpois]

Or - on the flat tire thing - have DH or someone else show you how to do it and practice a few times at home. Knowing how to do this will give you independence!

[Triskeliongirl]

If yoy have trained for it, DO THE 100-miler! The only time I ride with my husband is if we are touring, and he is carrying more weight to equalize our speeds. I prefer to 'ride within myself' going at the pace I feel like going (which isn't necesarially slow, just slower than my husband's natural pace). In a large group ride there will always be folks going your pace, and only you can decide if it is more fun to join a group, or do it on your own. Also, groups reshuffle at rest stops, so nothing is permanent, and if you really feel hampered by a group you can rde with them for a while, and then just pass them. If its windy, you may be more inclined to join a paceline than if its not. I enjoy the solitude of riding with my own thoughts, as well as the interesting conversations that can come from the right people, or sometimes the wind protection of a fast paceline. Just watch for the bike handling skills of those you paceline with. As for changing the tire, just practice first, it is trivial (I should know, I changed 4 flats and mounted 3 new tires this week on 2 bikes:mad: ), and a must skill for any cyclist. C02 is easier than a pump for high pressure tires. So, practice and carry a flat kit, but the worst case scenario is that someone in a sag vehicle can help you out if you are really stuck. HAVE A GREAT TIME AND WRITE US A REPORT:) !

[caligurl]

DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! the 100 that is!!!!!!!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!

i ride almost all my organized centuries "by myself"! hubby is way faster than i am.... so usually just goes off ahead (or starts after me and passes me!)

it's not like you'll be on the rode "alone" with 1500 people!

practice changing a flat (i always dreade having a flat on an organized ride.. cuz i'm so slow at changing them... had one a couple weekends ago on a TIMED ride and still managed to make the cut off!)

so YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

[bouncybouncy]

my hubby would always "stay with me" on centuries...on this last one we did i told him to "ride his ride...and i will not be too far behind!!!" and he did:D it was fun for both of us and i was only 20 minutes behind!

if it is just the two of us he will stay with me but in groups we have made a deal that we will go our own pace so the other does not feel any guilt or pressure. i have actually improved so much i am gaining on him:eek: we have met some great people that we can now call and hook up with if the other is busy or on an off day...i have been trying to commit to commuting to work by bike which racks up my miles but leaves him home and mopping (he works from home) so now he has some new riding buddies to eliminate the lack of miles!

just have him (or someone) show you the joys of tire changing and practice a few...but i find more often than not...if you need help in an organized ride it is there before you have a chance to loose your composure:o

go for it and bring home some good stories...if he is anything like my man he will love the fact that you did not let his unfortunate work schedule spoil your day!!!

[SadieKate]

When is there a better time to do this? What is there to loose or gain? Independance and confidence? Gitt'er dun!

[Pedal Wench]

I agree with everyone - do it! I've done almost all my organized and self-supported centuries alone. You'll end up meeting great people, or seeing folks you've seen around and finally have a chance to chat. I wouldn't even think twice about it.

[Geonz]

I like doing rides "alone" - I just make sure to start early so I can wander at my pace. Sometimes I find a group and connect for a little or a long while, sometimes not. (Sometimes our thighs are pounding together... oopse, already told that story! :-))

As far as the flat goes... a: you probably won't have one. Inflate well. b: there are directoins on the boxes of the spare tubes. Don't forget to check the tire for glass or whatever. c: people *do* stop and help, especially if you've got the *stuff* and the pump and are just wrestling with getting it done.
Let's see, embarrassing things to forget: that you have Presta valves so you have to unscrew the thingywhopper or it won't work, or that you have to undo the brakes to get the wheel off... oh, and you have to put the brakes back *on.*
But... you prob'lyl won't have one anyway. might be worth practicing just to make sure you got the right pieces parts.

[bikerchick68]

I agree that you should do the ride... and also that you should have the LBS show ya how to change a flat... that being said, should you have probs... it's an organized ride right? That means SAG support... and assuming the bike community does what it should, and you flat, most everyone who passes will ask if you're OK and if not, they'll stop and help! I have changed flats for people on 4 different rides... and twice it was for MEN :D Ah... it does a soul good...

have a great time :)

[SadieKate]

Aggie_ama, you do carry all the flat fixin's, right? Tube (correct size tube and correct valve stem), pump, patches and levers?

I agree you should know how to fix your own flat but someone will always stop on an organized ride to help. Just be sure you have the proper supplies.

[Aggie_Ama]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I talked with DH and he was extremely excited that I want to do this.

I am thinking the Metric, because every long ride I do I need a little encouragement at about mile 70. I won't have my normal cheerleader! If this goes well I may be enjoying lots of rides without him. ;)

DH is going to spend the next week giving me a flat changing classes.

SadieKate- I have all the things to change a flat but the skills! I seem to have difficulty getting the tire back on the rim. :confused:

[Nanci]

http://www.bikepro.com/products/tubes/tubes-levers.html

Look at the thing on the top- the Quik-Stik. It makes changing tires _so_ easy. LBS probably carries them.

Nanci

[Geonz]

I couldn't get there (seems to happen a lot to me!) - so I googled quik-stik and the first hit was from a medical company. Seems these are great for fixing wheelchair tires :-)

[barrb46]

Go for it! You'll hook up with someone to ride with. I did do a fairly new (second year for it) century ride last year -- less than 1000 people participated and I did ride alone a lot. The larger rides are better I think if you are going to do it without a partner. Make sure you have a map and don't lose it! My bike shop was happy to have me watch them change flats -- and gave me tips. I would practice at home - maybe while watching tv.

Keep us posted.

[CorsairMac]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I talked with DH and he was extremely excited that I want to do this.

I am thinking the Metric, because every long ride I do I need a little encouragement at about mile 70. I won't have my normal cheerleader! If this goes well I may be enjoying lots of rides without him. ;)

DH is going to spend the next week giving me a flat changing classes.

SadieKate- I have all the things to change a flat but the skills! I seem to have difficulty getting the tire back on the rim. :confused:


I think you should do the century! I have the same problem - somewhere around mile 65 to about mile 85 I wonder why I"m out here?...and can start to feel very demotivated so.......................I drink something with caffeine in it, get off the bike for a few minutes and eat something, and sing songs - really loud and really bad!!! Once I start giggling I"m ok and can keep on keepin on!!

[Bad JuJu]

Do it!!! I've never done a century, but done several metric centuries, none of them with my guy--he's more the motorcycling type than the bicycling type. So I suspect that, judging by my own experience, one of two things will happen: 1. you'll just get into the groove of riding by yourself and you'll love it, or 2. you'll meet one or two others who are riding about the same pace as you and you'll all settle in together and urge each other on whenever necessary. In any case, you'll be SO PLEASED with yourself when you're done.:D

Have fun!!!

[betagirl]

I agree with the others, you can DO it (in best Rob Schneider "waterboy" voice)

[Aggie_Ama]

:D I went and signed up today!!! I picked up my goody bag (how unfair it has MENS deodorant and that is it) and ride map this afternoon. I cannot wait for next weekend.

[Starfish]

:D I went and signed up today!!! I picked up my goody bag (how unfair it has MENS deodorant and that is it) and ride map this afternoon. I cannot wait for next weekend.

Good for you!

My first 100 mile ride ever was a charity event I did solo, 200 miles actually, 100 each day. I had made plans to ride with a girlfriend, but she had to bag out, so I decided to do it anyhow. It was SO empowering. Not only will you find you can do the distance, but that: you can handle what comes up, people out there in cycling are really ready to help, and maybe most important of all, that when you need that encouragement at 80 miles, YOU can give yourself the encouragement you need. :-) After that, I could go out for a solo 60 mile training ride with so much more confidence. It was a barrier breaker for me.

I'm with the others: not only get lessons in changing that flat (and then practice more than you want to, because it is different doing it tired in the rain than in your living room), but get a lesson on fixing your chain. You'd get mechanical support for this on an organized ride, but I found this very reassuring for my long solo training rides.

[An aside about the deodorant: I just received a promotional men's deodorant in a recent bike catalog order. I had an item to return for a different size, anyhow, so I threw the men's deodorant back in too, with a note. I let them know I hoped they would start prioritizing women as more than a niche market. I suggested that since I spend money and support their business and cycling, that they could note my feminine name and toss in a woman's item, or at the very least use promo items that truly are unisex, like Butt'r or something. I'm starting to speak up to companies, LBSs and organizers more and more, because I want to be treated as more than a niche market. Just my .02.]

Have a great time, and tell us all about it! :-)

[Aggie_Ama]

Oops, I did get some Butt'r too. I gave the deodorant to my DH, but I am annoyed. I may have to start speaking up too, us women want the goodies too!

I should note the encouragement to do the full century is great. I am still only doing the Metric. My older brother's 30th Birthday party is next Saturday and I need to be at my parents house to help with that. I am was so *tempted* to try the 105 mile route, but I think 62 is all I can do next weekend. I really think this is going to be the first of many solo rides, my DH works 3/4 weekends. I can't wait to tell you all about it!