Doing a looonng ride on Sunday. At least for me.

[moderncyclista]

I can't decide which bike to take. 520 or LHT? Seriously, what should I be prepared to take to another town - 60 miles, each way? (all in one day) I've got panniers and racks on both bikes. I've commuted up and down my town, but this is something else all together. I'm nervous as hell. Me and probably 10 others. We are braving the wild, hot, windy plains to do this. Are we crazy? Probably.

Any thoughts ladies? Your help is always appreciated. Sorry I haven't been on as much. Work has been kinda crazy/kooky lately.

[ny biker]

Will there be any places to stop and buy drinks and food along the way, and if so, how far apart are they?

You'll want enough drinks and food to get you to your destination and/or reststops, with a little extra in case you're delayed by something like a flat tire. Plus everything you need to fix a flat tire or two, and a multi-tool.

Other than that, same checklist as for any ride -- ID, money, insurance info, sunscreen, lip balm, cue sheet/map/directions, whatever clothes are appropriate for the weather, band-aids, tampons, wet ones, chamois cream...

Also, a song in your heart and a smile on your face.

[Skierchickie]

I think you'll be fine with either, since they are both touring bikes. Go for all-day comfort, whichever one that is. Sounds like this is a one-day thing, so you don't need a tent, sleeping bag, cooking stuff, etc, so you don't really need load-hauling capacity.

NY Biker's list looks good. I don't carry tampons unless I think I'll need them, but on something that long I always need to re-apply the chamois cream, and I always carry lip balm. I learned the value of wipes on a recent ride - don't leave home without them (and the $$, insurance info & ID). On something that long, I like a baggie of gummi bears to make me smile. On a long, hot ride I'd be carrying Heed in the bottles, and an extra baggie of powder to mix up when I'm ready for a refill.

Have fun! Eat light, eat often, and drink a lot!

[bikerHen]

Don't be nervous, think of it as an adventure, heck it is! Since your going with other riders it'll be fun! Bring lots of water, high energy snacks, some type of electrolite replacement and sunscreen, reapply frequently, some $$$, and all the other "stuff" one needs to have when spending the day on your bike. Bring a light too, just in case you're out later than planned.
Since you have a rack I would pack one pannier with your stuff and go. I'm going to say take your LHT just because I love to ride mine. Choose the one that's the most comfortable. Give it a good cleaning. There's nothing like starting a trip with a sparkling clean drivetrain, or maybe that's just me! Most of all enjoy the day being on your bike and riding with friends. bikerHen

[Catrin]

Take the LHT, it will be lots of fun

Not that I am biased or anything

[moderncyclista]

Update:

We did the ride - 106 degrees with humidity rising head index to 115. We made it 30 miles and then all suffered heat exhaustion. We called our SAG wagon (our friends mini-van and another's truck) and they picked us up. We felt proud/exhausted. The ride was hilly (outrageously so in my opinion) giant hills that flat spotted out in between (and the ride was supposedly planned by an expert) and hot.

I took water and gatorade and was hauling my LHT (very comfortable long-distance, btw) up hills with a ridiculous amount of weight. It was murder, god-awful murder. But we all want to do it again in less heat. I felt proud I did a thirty miler - really pushed myself in that weather. I didn't give in until I almost dropped. Stupid? Perhaps. But am I proud I did my best? Absolutely.

(Btw, what is Heed? I've never heard of it.)

[redrhodie]

106º?! That's just nuts. Glad you still had fun!

[Catrin]

Update:

We did the ride - 106 degrees with humidity rising head index to 115. We made it 30 miles and then all suffered heat exhaustion. We called our SAG wagon (our friends mini-van and another's truck) and they picked us up. We felt proud/exhausted. The ride was hilly (outrageously so in my opinion) giant hills that flat spotted out in between (and the ride was supposedly planned by an expert) and hot.

I took water and gatorade and was hauling my LHT (very comfortable long-distance, btw) up hills with a ridiculous amount of weight. It was murder, god-awful murder. But we all want to do it again in less heat. I felt proud I did a thirty miler - really pushed myself in that weather. I didn't give in until I almost dropped. Stupid? Perhaps. But am I proud I did my best? Absolutely.

(Btw, what is Heed? I've never heard of it.)

106 degrees !!!!!!!! I can't imagine riding 3 miles in that, let alone 30! You did great!

Heed is a sports drink by Hammer Nutrition that has electrolytes and carbs - and a very light flavor. I swear by it myself - and the Strawberry flavor rocks. Very light and not cloying at all.