First organized ride/road ride. Help!

[Owlie]

Okay, I just signed up for my first organized ride--50 miles. Requested the time off and everything. I haven't ridden on roads in two years, thanks to living in places with really nice bike paths with a 20mph speed limit.

Anything I need to pick up beforehand, besides food, obviously? I was thinking a mirror (any recommendations?), and perhaps a daylight-visible tail light (I think the Planet Bike Superflash fits the bill).

[indysteel]

The Superflash is, indeed, a bright taillight. If you get one, use a ziptie or rubberband to attach the light to the clip. Mine flew off when I went over a bump in the road. Having read many a review since, I don't believe this to be an isolated problem. I was in a paceline at the time and wasn't really in a position to stop. So, I lost the light on my third ride with it. When I talked to Performance about it, they told me they could only give me a refund if I returned the light. Uh, that was the point in needing a refund in the first place. I use a Blackburn light now.

[hebe]

No advice, but enjoy the ride!

[Roadtrip]

I second the bike tail-light... Tho we've had the same problem with the super flash with it falling off. DH lost his only a mile from home, but even retracing the route on foot didn't turn up the dislodged light. Only other advice I can offer is to just relax and enjoy the ride. My first ride I freaked out and nearly hyperventilated when traffic and bike lane became one, on a hill, so I red-lined and blew up unable to recover due to stress (and a lack in fitness), but I know you'll be A-Ok

Let us know how it goes!!!
Shannon

[ny biker]

I would suggest riding on some roads to get (re)acquainted with them, so you can get used to scanning for obstacles like manhole covers, potholes, rough patches from poorly filled-in potholes, patches of broken glass, stuff like that.

If you'll be using a cue sheet, it's handy to have a holder for it. I use these (I have them in two sizes):

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodBM_S.html

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodBM_H.html

Though many people are happy just using a binder clip to attach the cue sheet to a cable in front of their handlebars. The important thing is to be prepared with something to hold the cue sheet.

[Kathi]

Neat, what ride did you sign up for?