First Century this Sunday!? Last minute questions........

OK, I've done several marathons--but Sunday is my first century! Husband picked it--so, of course, it is the one with the least amount of information on their website (Ride the Rivers Century, www.trailnet.org/century.php). I think my husband can finish in a pretty good time, but my BIL and I are just wanting to finish (not last). But, we are starting to panic about small details.........

Is there a standard map/cue sheet format? We are trying to figure out if our map holders are the right size (a combination of these two, http://felixwong.com/2002/10/bicycle-map-holders/ and http://www.bicycletouring101.com/Bik...eMapHolder.htm). We've ridden most of the route, but not all of it--especially downtown.

Is lunch standard? What should we expect at the stops? I am bringing my usual snacks: jelly beans, cytomax, gu and clif bars--but I usually need some solid food at some point--guess I can swing through McDonalds--can you go through the drive-thru on a bike?

You probably can't answer this, because every ride is different, but--how many people will be at this thing? Will it be crowded? Will we get left behind and get lost? (local biking forum is not help--apparently this is all supposed to be a secret to newbies).

We are both pretty strong riders, but are still panicking and willing to bail into the SAG wagon without losing too much pride--but this is the last century of the season here, and we'll have to wait until next spring to do another century. Any advice (even on things we aren't panicking about yet) would be great!

In looking at the pictures posted on the website, I don't see that people have cue sheets. The route is more than likely marked with "Dan Henrys." In my experience, most organized rides like this are marked like that. So, while you'll likely get some form of a cue sheet or map, you can follow the markings instead.

As for lunch, I've seen it both ways so it's hard to say. Most organized centuries offer enough food and enough "real food" along the way, even if there's no formal "lunch." You're much better off, in my opinion, eating small, frequent meals anyway, than a full-on lunch. In any event, if you want to stop for fast food (I'd rather go inside that go through a drive through surrounded by car exhaust), by all means do so. Or just pack a PB&J for a healthier alternative. From my experience with organized rides, there's no point in bringing along a ton of your own food unless you're a picky eater. The SAG stops along the way are usually more than adequate.

As for how crowded, I don't know. Why don't you call the bike shop that sponsors the ride and ask them your questions? Even on crowded rides, people tend to get spread out, but I doubt that you get lost or left behind. You're riding with your DH and a friend, right? They'll have SAG wagons if nothing else.

You'll be fine. Seriously. Have fun. Tell yourself that you can do it and, I'm willing to put money on this, you will.

Is McDonald's Real Food?:D

Nope. You got me. So you've never partaken of a double cheese with fries after a ride? I know it undoes all the good of riding a bike, but "dog-gone-it" sometimes I've earned it:D:D

indysteel gave you good advice. What you get at the SAG stops "should" be adequate, but since you know nothing about the ride and the site doesn't tell you much, it might be wise to stash a half of a peanut butter sandwich in your jersey and/or a banana and/or fig newtons. These are all good fuel for endurance riding. But, yeah, if you have money on you, you can always stop somewhere and buy food. Keep it to things that are easily digestible, so your body doesn't have to use it's energy resources to digest instead of fuel your legs. Several small meals/snacks are definitely better than one big one. Protein and carbs are the main staples on an endurance ride ... plus hydration.

I have a feeling you'll be pleasantly surprised that you won't be the last one's. Riders of all levels typically do these rides. Try to find other riders that are going about your pace and team up with them. Draft with them and then do your share of pulling (as long as you are comfortable with this and they don't seem to mind). My friend and I did a metric century a couple of months ago where we buddied up with two guys going our pace. We got behind them a little before a SAG stop. When we got to the stop, we thanked them for pulling us and told them we'd be happy to do our share if we ended up riding with them more. They were very friendly and we did the rest of the ride with them. It made the whole experience really great to have that added camaraderie and support. Not to mention the pulling, which we did help with.

We then did a full century a month later, which our husbands did with us. My husband, the strongest rider, pulled us pretty much the entire way. We went much faster than we would have without him, since we never had to pull, and doing it together, again, made it a great experience.

So, whether or not you ride with your husband, try to hook up with some other people that seem to be going your pace. Sometimes you'll hang with a group for a while, and then lose them at a SAG or somewhere else. But then you find others. You may not become buddies with them, but most people on these rides are pretty social and friendly.

Every organized ride I have done has had a route map. I rarely have to look at it, though, if ever, because you generally just follow the people in front of you. Often times there are markings, like painted arrows on the ground, or signs posted. You start getting used to looking for them after a while. If ever you start to wonder if you are on the right path, you can stop and look at your route sheet. Mine is usually folded up in the back of my jersey. Some people do have tricky devices to keep there's on their handlebars for easy reference. Just follow one of THEM! :)

Lastly, if the idea of completing a full 100 miles is freaking you out, just focus on the SAG stops. I make a point of knowing how many miles it is to the next one and that is my focus. Before you know it, you're at the last SAG stop and only have one last "leg" to go. I just look at my route sheet before leaving the previous stop to know at what mile the next one is. If you have a bike computer, you can keep track of miles.

Good luck! I'm sure you're going to do great. ;)

My main advice is to NOT panic; really, as you're doing this to have fun, right? No reason at all to panic on an organized ride, IMHO; as the other responses noted, you'll find that the route is more than likely marked with "Dan Henrys" (those directional arrows on the right side of the road to alert cyclists to upcoming turns or, in the case of a busy intersection, to confirm that you should continue straight through it); that the organizers have either done this before, so that they know how many riders to plan for - estimating how many day-of riders will show up in addition to pre-registered riders and they'll stock the rest stops accordingly. If there are snacks and electrolyte replacement drinks that you are used to having, then by all means, bring your own. I also find it helpful to prepare as much in advance as possible, in case I have to get up at o'dark hundred to get to the ride start, I'll set out my clothes, put my drink bottles and/or camelback on the kitchen counter with my snacks, have my bike and gear on the bike rack/in the car, etc...(I've volunteered at packet pick-up or ride registration for quite a few rides with our club and have been surprised at how many people show up to go on a ride without filled water bottles, no helmet or un-inflated tires; guess they just expect that there will be someone to help them at other than a rest stop?).
I'd agree on waiting until after you've finished riding to head to McD's...by then, you can sit and eat, relax and enjoy it, rather than knowing that it might affect your riding performance and how you feel if you eat heavy in the middle of a century.
One other thing, I looked at some of the pics too and I'd caution you to be very careful boarding and exiting on those slick metal ramps for the ferry...
Have tons o' fun!
Tailwinds!
Mary

Yes, the ferry ramp is tricky. Not only is the boat moving while at dock, there can be a decent lip there--walking the bike on may be necessary, depending on the circumstances.

You're going to do great.

Personally, I don't like the idea of bringing a sandwich/fruit as a back up. I'd encourage PowerBar or ShotBlok. They're compact, won't get soggy, and don't take up much room. If you fear fatigue, you can take Excedrin with Caffeine before you start.

Some may think this an overreaction, but I usually change my tubes before a long ride...most of my flats are from worn out stems, so this reduces my risk of a flat...

Take victorious pictures and post them for us

My friend and I have ridden the trailnet century the past few years. It has improved year after year. You'll have a lunch of sandwiches, such as turkey or PBJ, fruit pasta salad. Last year was a problem with serving cyclists in Grafton because of the volume and slow service from the restaurant. Trailnet decided to make changes with that this year. Trailnet will provide maps cue sheets but we never really looked at them because of the painted arrows for directions on the roads. There is more and more folks participating in this ride... think last year they had a total of around 500 cyclists.

They have ample snacks at the rest stops with plenty of water and gatorade also. Another big change this year is the start in St Charles. Last year on the way back to St Louis Rams football traffic was thick as can be. It was tricky biking thru all that so they decided to avoid that if possible, thank goodness.

You'll cross 2 ferry crossings. It can be tricky getting off the ferry and trying to climb that steep hill right afterwards. Make sure and have your bike in the lowest gear to prepare for it. It was a nice ride, you have flats and some hills to climb but you'll have perfect weather for this ride. Make sure and give us all a ride report. I won't be able to do the ride this year so I'm anxious to hear all about it.

Thank you Lattae! This century seems to be a huge secret! Drove part of the route yesterday and I'm excited. Glad they are willing to make improvements--I'll check in from the couch tomorrow night! In my marathon tradition, on the eve of my first century I've picked the next big ride--Tour de Stooges next spring (or maybe the Fall Foliage next weekend)!

(I've ridden the hill off the first ferry--A woman standing at her car said, "You can't ride your bike up that!" Usually that would motivate me, but she completely psyched me out--and DH was already cresting the top! I ended up walking it, but made the second one!)

You'll love the Tour De Stooges!!! We have done that ride for the past few years and this years ride was a challenge. We had crazy spring weather and on this ride it was a bit chilly but the winds were the major factor. We had every intention on doing the 62 mile route but winds were gusting to over 35 mph so we ended up doing the middle route. We felt like we had a good workout after doing that ride.

Good luck on the river to river century... I'll be anxious to hear about it.. my friend is planning on riding it by herself but she'll be among many other cyclists...

I'll be in an american flag jersey, probably a pearl izumi yellow vest--on a black and white Trek street bike with white handlebar tape! Tell her to say hello:)

How did it go???

I was thinking about you and my friend doing that ride today. It was hot, and the winds were brisk too. Hope you got thru it okay. My hubby and I ended up doing the MCT trails in IL and we both put in some serious mileage.. he ended up with 101 miles and I had only 73 miles...Let us know how the ride went...

I thought about doing that ride. Only thought. I've participated in lots of Trailnet rides and they are always well organized and marked. Lots of rest stops. If you have pics, post them but let us know how it was!