Doing first Century in August... Need Advice

[FreshNewbie]

Hi everybody,

Been a long time since I posted something, but I did follow every thread So, I am planning to do my first century ride in August (its North Fork ride in NY). The problem is that where I live there are no routes for riders, and YES it is very upsetting. The only way for me to get out and ride are weekends, and I am planning to join a club for my weekend rides. During off season I been taking cycling classes, right now I can do two in a row. I wanna if any of you had a similar situation, and how you trained, how long it took you? etc.... Also, maybe some of you who live in NY could suggest some clubs that do rides somewhere close to Queens? Well, sorry it came out so long Have a wonderful day all.

Regards

[Jo-n-NY]

FreshNewbie,

Glad to see you here again. I am riding the Montauk Century on May 21st. Since my shoulder fracture in Sept, I have been riding the trainer all winter and the only outdoor rides I have road so far this year is 20miles (Hawaii in Feb) and an 11 mile ride through my developements a couple of weekends ago to get me feel back with my clippless pedals outdoors.

This will be my first century. If the weather will break to sunny spring weather we plan on going to North County Trailway Path in Westchester. Is that very far from you. It is a great asphalt path, beautifully kept up. We go on Thursdays (my husbands day off) so there are not very many people on it. From Pleasantville to Briarcliff Manor (the end) is 25 miles so there and back you get in a great 50 mile ride. I think it is off route 9. The parking is down the way from one of the Pace University campus's.

Riding with a club sounds like a great idea for you. My girlfriend rides the service road to the Long Island Expressway during the week and says we can get in a 50 mile ride, but that is near me on Long Island.

I am not very familiar with Staten Island except for a ice rink that I use to bring my son to when he played on a travelling ice hockey team years ago.

~ JoAnn

[FreshNewbie]

Hi JoAnn, I am glad to hear that you are recovering, I hope everything is healing well. I actually moved from Staten Island to Bayside in Queens, it's a nice area but not very bike friendly like Long Island. I can't get out to ride outside during week because I work in Manhattan It's actually pretty frustrating when you want something and can't do it. Montauk century sounds good, I did couple of rides there last year, it's nice, has some nasty hills though :-) The North Fork ride sounds easy for my first century, maybe I will do one half century during summer. Looks like riding with a club will be my best bet.

[Robbin_G]

There's the NYCC (www.nycc.org) and the 5 Boro Bike Club (www.5bbc.org)

I'm riding the C-SIG with the NYCC.

-Robbin

[Nanci]

Hi FN,

When I first started road biking, I drove 50 miles each way to a paved trail Saturdays and Sundays. It was worth it to me because I wan't comfortable in traffic. Is there somewhere like that you can drive to? I think the key to that, and getting enough miles in, is plan your day around cycling- make that the center of your weekend days, especially the long ride, and find the joy in being out there a long time- don't see it as something taking you away from what you really should be doing. I figure, if I can devote 8-10 hours a day on weekdays to work, I can allow the same for cycling, which is something I love! If you're worried about what time you're getting home and all the stuff you have to do when you are done riding, it's hard to have a nice ride, and you end up cutting your training short.

Nanci

[Bike Goddess]

Well, it sounds like what you are doing is good for the weekdays. Are you able to work out with weights? Upper body strength is an important component in longer rides.

You have some time to train for the century in August. Unless there is a lot of climbing involved, the only thing to really be concerned about is time on your bike. Figure that it will probably take at least 6-7hours riding time to complete the ride. So, you will need to do longer and longer rides before that time. This will allow you to find out how your body reacts to being in the saddle for long periods of time, as well as what kind of food and drink works for you.

Yes, a club is a good idea. I suggest you look at www.bikejournal.com, a website which has folks from all over the world. (You can join for free,although premier membership helps the administrator keep the site going. Our group from here is Team Estrogen.)

Anyway, after you have joined you could start a thread asking about the century you want to do as well as people in your area that ride. They are a great group, I have met many people(including some of the gals from here) and I have high praise for each and every person. I'm sure a few riders will join in with advice and routes as well as clubs they would recommend that are near where you live.

Good luck on your endeavors! It's a big step, but it's also a huge accomplishment!

[FreshNewbie]

Thank you all for the advice you gave me.
Bike Goddess, I do work out with weights regularly, in fact I started weight training way before I started cycling. I been looking at local bike clubs all day today, and actually have few in mind to do a ride with to see how it works out.

Hey Robbin_G, I know that NYCC usually meets in the central park and then leaves to ride somewhere else. Can you tell me where does your group go?

Thank you all again.