10 Things I Learned From My First Century
1. Don’t be That Girl. Like when I pulled up to the registration table to pick up my numbers and I found an open spot to set my bike against the steep curb, in between a sea of expensive bicycles set carefully and delicately against the same curb. And when I did so I bumped the tire of one shiny bike and created a domino-effect of about 20 bikes that all decided to topple over as I stood gaping in horror. (note to self: when you are a clutz, don’t assume you can perform such a task without horrendous side effects, also park bike well away from fancy bikes and bike owners who probably spent more on their bikes than I did on my car).
2. For that matter, don’t be That Guy. The one that fell down before the ride even started and busted his leg open (how on earth he managed to hurt himself so badly when he wasn’t even moving, I don’t know, but it happened nonetheless).
3. Don’t clip in until you’re sure you’re going to do more than shuffle down a few more steps. It’s better to straddle the top tube with both feet on the ground. Thank the lord that you’re not a guy and don’t have to worry (as much) about bonking your nether-regions on the top tube hard enough to send stars shooting to your eyes. Starting a huge organized ride is similar to driving on the Schuylkill expressway at rush hour. Someone, somewhere is probably moving, but just because they’ve started the ride it doesn’t mean that you will be moving anytime soon, and when you do finally start moving, that doesn’t guarantee you will gain enough speed to keep from crashing down and taking others down around you (thankfully, not learned from experience, just observation!)
4. Don’t assume other cyclists know what they’re doing. When over 5,000 cyclists take to the streets of Philadelphia, what do you get? Well, lots more traffic accidents, that’s for sure. Never assume someone is going to be riding his/her bike in the regular direction of traffic. If anything, assume only one thing: chaos. You will most likely not be disappointed.
5. Don’t assume the ride, no matter how huge it is, will have a table for breakfast at the start (shame on you, ACS... and don't even get me started on the running out of Gatorade thing). That way when you’re at mile ten you’re not wishing you’d stuffed that extra banana in your back pocket because you’re already seriously starting to bonk.
6. Always find out your riding buddies plans before the ride. Don’t attempt to keep up with them the first 20 miles of the ride when they’re riding around 22 mph and then realize belatedly that they’re not planning on doing the 100 after all and that maybe you should have paced yourself.
7. Too much fruit is a bad, bad thing (especially when there is no indoor plumbing!).
8. Don’t get upset when you get passed. You will get passed. By everyone, from the fast and hardcore training team to the kid on a 15 year old Raleigh bike with flat pedals and a t-shirt 4x too big for him. Oh, and the guy on rollerblades. Up a hill. Uhm, yeah.
9. Arranging for a driver to pick you up at the finish is a bonus. Arranging for said driver to take you to the beach so you can lounge in the sand and soak your muscles in the cold salt water is an even bigger bonus. No style points subtracted if your cycling tan lines look odd with your bathing suit.
10. Always bring flip flops to the finish. Road shoes are not very comfortable when you’re not on the bike. Especially after you’ve been in them for several hours.
All in all, it was a great experience, and of all the things I learned the most important is that I Can Do It, and most likely will several times over in the future.
So. There it is, my first century ride. A friend’s trip report (and pics, including some of me) are located here
