What I learned from my first century

[buffybike]

1. Accelerade ROCKS.
2. Be extra cautious riding in a tight paceline behind riders you don't know or don't trust.
3. Pick positive people to ride with--no complainers.
4. Top off your water bottles at rest stops.
5. Keep a map/cue sheet with you--you never know when you'll find yourself riding alone.


Great first century!! I'm already planning my next one...

[Blue_Fedora]

Awesome job! I've just started using Accelerade in the past week... glad to know it worked well for your first century. I don't much care for the taste of the stuff when I'm sitting here at home but while I'm in the middle of a long (to me) ride, the stuff tastes great! LOL! Tomorrow is my first half-century and I've got two 20 ounce bottles of the stuff coming with me

Thanks for the tips - I'll keep them in mind. And again, awesome job!

[Bike Chick]

Congratulations! That's a milestone for sure and something to really be proud of. Great job.

The only thing I would add from my experience is "you will get really cranky at mile 85." I've seen others experience the same thing. Did you have any issues?

[buffybike]

No issues except for some nausea at the very end--most likely due to the heat. I also have to recommend Biofreeze--I used it on my neck and shoulders which have been getting sore on long rides and I had no pain there. Today I'm rewarding myself with a massage!

[buffybike]

Actually--there were ALMOST a couple of issues...I nearly crashed twice. Once because a rider in front of me hit the wheel of the rider in front of him, and the other time just involved some kind of chain reaction in the paceline I was riding in. I still don't know what happened but there was a lot of cursing involved and the "culprit" slunk off to the side and disappeared. Both times, I was able to brake and turn into the shoulder to avoid going down. I witnessed a lot of riders who are normally friendly, easy-going people get really cranky and downright hostile on this ride.

[kermit]

Good job! I have done my last two alone and have to tell you that some of those hammerhead groups can be crazy. I jumped into one on the second half of the ride and it was great until people start working in that don't know how to ride. We were all two by two smoking along at like 25 mph, and a guy and his girlfriend just push in front of me now we are three deep and she couldn't hold her line. Her boyfriend was actually telling her how to shift and every time she did she swerved. I give her credit for trying but that's how people get hurt. I quickly bowed out and went on my own again. I did meet some great people and have kept in touch with them.