My first Half Century

[allabouteva]

Hurray! I finished my first half century today! I rode in the Tour De Hills, which is run annually in the Hills district in Sydney. The weather was perfect, slightly overcast and cool which was nice, since the weather's been pretty warm and humid.

The only blemish in the ride, was that I was very nervous at the starting line, and managed to fall off my bike. This may sound pretty dumb, but I always find getting on my bike, and starting off, a little tricky, with the clipping in, and keeping balance, etc. Well with the crowds of cyclists on top of that, it was too much and I fell... (*Any advice here would be gratefully received!*)

Luckily I didn't cause anyone else to fall, so I just waited till everyone else left, and there was some clear room ahead. And I'm very lucky because my hubby who was riding with me, was very very supportative and worried for me.

Other than that little mishap, it was a great ride, and I did it in 2 and a half hours averaging 20kph. I even managed this very steep little bit, which the group I cycle with go on and on about, but with a bit of pre training, I was prepared (and determined!).

Anyway, next year it'll be the Century! Gulp! I can't wait.

[Nanci]

Congratulations! Don't worry about falling- I've seen people fall at almost every mass start- even standing still- so it isn't just you. What I would do is make sure my bike is in the right (easy) gear to start off, wear MTB shoes with good grip, not clip in until I was sure it was safe and out of the way and had a good rolling speed. You know you can situate your cleats so they don't engage by not having them exactly over the right spot.

Or just position yourself more toward the back of the pack, where people aren't in such a rush. That way you'll avoid the first few bottlenecks at corners, too.

You have to wait a whole _year_ before the next ride??? If you're at 50 miles now- you're well on your way to 100!

Nanci

[Trekhawk]

Hurray! I finished my first half century today! I rode in the Tour De Hills, which is run annually in the Hills district in Sydney. The weather was perfect, slightly overcast and cool which was nice, since the weather's been pretty warm and humid.

allabouteva -- congratulations on the ride. I wouldnt worry too much about the fall Im sure most riders have either been there or seen it many times before. I agree with Nanci make sure you are in an easy gear to start as this seems to help me get off with no problems.

Sounds like a lovely ride. What part of Sydney was it in?

Look forward to hearing about your next ride.

Trekhawk

[allabouteva]

Thanks so much for the words of encouragment Nanci and Trekhawk. They mean a lot to me.

No, no! I won't be waiting until next year to do the 100 (km though not miles! really really respect the 'real' Centuryers), I want to get up to it, and there's another 50 km ride next month, and an MS one in November that's 88km (Sydney to Gong). Not sure how fast I'll improve my stamina, so I might be doing a Century earlier! But definitely want to do it this time next year...Although this year, I probably only saw less than a handful of women who attempted it.

Trekhawk, the ride went entirely throught the Baulkham Hills Shire, so it started at the Dural Country Club, and went through Dural, Glenorie, Maralya, Box Hill, Oakville, Rouse Hill, Kellyville, Glenhaven, Round Corner and back to the Club. So it was very rural, scenic, and lots of rolling hills, with a killer hill on Glenhaven Road... (but I managed!!! Yee hah! )

[Nanci]

If you did 50 miles at the last Century, you _can_ do 100km right now! I promise!! That's only 12 more miles!

I love to do this thing, at the end of my longest ride ever, whatever the distance. Try to imagine what it would be like to go another hour, or two hours, or whatever. Most of the time, it seems like if I _had to_, I could do it. Probalby wouldn't be pretty, but, I _could_. Add on a couple weeks recovery, and your body is _ready_ for a longer distance!!

Nanci

[bikerchick68]

allabout... CONGRATS! way to go... getting that first big ride under you belt really changes your persepctive and renews your faith in what you CAN do huh? good for you for completing this so well... and for climbing that hill! you have much to be proud of...

and I am impressed that your DH was so great and supportive... everyone falls at some point... I almost went down yesterday taking off and trying to talk, clip in and avoid a hole all at once... DOH! I kept it upright... but it was close...

keep us posted on the 100... we'll be your cheering section!

[CorsairMac]

Congrats Eva - isn't it an awesome feeling!!?? as for the falling/clipping thingy - don't sweat it. Everybody else is so jittery on a start they probably didn't even notice. I'm not sure how you "start" but I noticed it was easier for me anyway to make sure 1 foot was clipped in and then sit down just as soon as I pushed off, get the pedals going first Then worry about clipping in the other foot. That way I always have 1 foot unclipped in case of quick stops or squirrly steering. So your next is a metric eh? Enjoy it even more - pretty soon you'll want to try an imperial century (a true 100 miles! )

Well Done

[bcipam]

If you did 50 miles at the last Century, you _can_ do 100km right now! I promise!! That's only 12 more miles!

INanci

Uh... I can remember rides where that last 12 miles was, well, HELL!

I agree if you can do 50, 62 isn't that much harder but there is a big difference in 62 and 100+. Keep training. That 100+ (and I say + cause I've never done a Century that was just 100 miles, they usually ran over and its amazing how that extra mileage even a mile or two is a struggle) will come surprisenly easy.

[arnaew]

Allabout…
All the big rides I've done are organised through Bike SA - they organise registration, refreshment stops, SAG wagons etc They charge an entry fee to cover costs which includes insurance. I became a member in January and they let me know via email and quarterly magazine what's happening, including all the regular rides organised by local clubs. Haven't gone there yet, as they're mostly about speed, and I'm a bit of a tortoise. I think Bicycle NSW organised the Tour de Hills (www.bicyclensw.org.au); I'm guessing that's where most of the New South Wales ride information will be collated.