girl cycling across the country with guys, questions about potential problems.

[taylor]

So I am planning to bike across the country with a good guy friend of mine, and he is bringing some (at least two) guy best friends with him. I really don't mind at all, but here's the thing.

a. what do I do when my period comes?

b. what do I do if I need to pee? or poop even?

c. will I realistically have a hard time keeping up with them? How should I train so that I will be able to keep up?
The other thing is that he and his friends live across the country, so I can't like train with them or anything

I know those are awkward but I feel like they need to be addressed. I can't find anything about this on the web and I am foreseeing this as a potentially awkward situation, and I would appreciate ANY direction or advice here because. Well. I'm feeling a little bit uncomfortable about it. I'm incredibly excited about the trip, but those few details are feeling like major problems.

The other thing is that he and his friends live across the country, so I can't like train with them or anything.
I do have a year to get everything out, so that's good.

[Aquila]

Wow, how exciting!

Period. For some of us, tampons work great. A lot of women here like moon or diva cups (I think those are the names). If you're riding with adults, then they'll understand that women menstruate sometimes, and they'll deal with the need to stop at times or whatever.

Alternatively, if you have time, and it's appropriate for you, you could go on the pill and then have some control over your periods and probably reduce the flow. Your doctor can consult and advise you about your own situation.

Pee etc. Personally, I prefer finding latrines or restrooms (I have an international rating system because I've used so many). Service stations work, especially if you buy some ice cream or something. Carry some biodegradable camping TP if you think you'll need to stop at the side of the road. You can ask your riding companions to wait for you around the curve or in half a mile or whatever. This would be the only reason I wouldn't wear bib shorts, but you should try your equipment ahead of time to figure out what works best for you.

Speed and keeping up. That's a really hard one. Some folks ride faster than others. I'd be really open in communicating with them. Maybe all of you get bike computers and figure out your average speeds over a given sort of terrain. That will help you decide if riding together will really work well.

I ride short rides with people who can ride way faster than I do, but they're willing to go slow for a bit to share a conversation. I ride sometimes with people who are slower than I am, and I go slow to enjoy their conversation. Your group will have to figure out how you want to work things. I don't know how I'd do on a long ride with folks way faster or slower than I, if we weren't riding with support and such. If you're camping, the fastest people could alternate setting up or taking down camp, perhaps? This might get frustrating for a long trip, depending on the friendships.

Here's wishing you a GREAT trip! Let us know how things go, please.

[Cataboo]

Period... if you don't want one, you can use nuvaring or something like that and just not menstruate.

[tangentgirl]

I have ridden long rides with guys that are really fast. They are usually good about riding with me for part of the time and riding faster for part of the time. (Ha - they probably liked the break they got.) If you can, it might be good to visit them or have them visit you a few times in the preceding year to build some camaraderie. Try to get one or two rides in together beforehand, even if they are short.

In the meantime, build that strength! Ride lots of hills! Some women are able to build strength and speed and keep up with men pretty well. (Not me, but some!) You could be one of them.

[Zen]

Holler "PEE BREAK!"

[nscrbug]

Personally, I don't see a problem with the period and peeing issues. If you have to use a restroom, then you just tell them that you have to stop...period (no pun intended). Certainly, if one of the guys had to pee or poop, they wouldn't hesitate to stop...so I don't see why they wouldn't afford you the same option. I've ridden many a ride while on my period...it's not a big deal. If it's a heavy day, I wear a super plus tampon, bring an extra or two with me and don't worry about it. When I feel like I need to change it (which is usually the same time I need to pee anyway), I just holler out to my two male riding companions, that I need to stop at the next gas station.

As for keeping up with the guys...that's a tricky one. I ride with 2 guys - one is my husband who is a fast rider, the other is a friend who is only slightly slower than my husband...so needless to say, I'm either behind them both always trying to "catch up"...OR...they adjust their riding speed to accommodate MY pace (which is generally the case). Every now and then during a longer ride, they'll both take off like lunatics for a mile or so...which I don't mind. Boys need to stroke their egos every so often in a ride...so I let them play their little "racing games"...eventually they'll slow up so I can catch them.

[shootingstar]

I hate to ask this but....how old are you?

Maybe I take for granted too much of being in the past, a girl, now a woman..but after awhile if you hang out with good guy friends, they'll need to stop too for bodily functions.

They'll understand. Even guys who might be more jerks than others.

How much are you cycling now and how long have you cycled regularily?

[channlluv]

There are camping considerations, too. Are you going to be tenting along the way, or stopping at hotels? Sleeping under the stars?

Is there a girlfriend of similar skill level and interests whom you could invite to come along?

Roxy

[TrekTheKaty]

Breaks are necessary, not just for body functions but to stock up on water and snack breaks. We arrange almost all stops at trailheads, fast-food restaurants or gas stations. I'm not sure of you're route, but most men prefer bathrooms when possible.

Be honest up front about your pace and planned daily mileage. The additions should be willing to stick with you and your friend. There is always the option of scheduling stops to regroup, but on a long ride--everyone should stay together in case of mechanicals or (heaven forbid) accidents. If they don't agree in advance to your pace, then I would consider backing out. There is nothing worse than being left behind, and you can't choose to ride faster than your skill level. Going out hard to keep up will hurt you in a long ride, or multi-day ride.