THANK YOU and a couple of questions

[notsportygirl]

I'm so glad I found you guys. Thanks so much for the support. Reading about all your experiences, challenges, tips, and advice has been a huge help to a girl who's first instinct when intimidated by something is to research it to death. It's helped me hugely to feel like I have a community of women who are of different levels of athleticism, and who have also had a "first time". Now I feel like it's a given that I'm doing the ride...and I'll let you all know how it goes. Now I'm studying up on how to fix a flat...

A couple of other questions (there'll probably be many more over the next month): Will I be miserable without gloves for 35 miles? Are the routes clearly marked for the NYC century? Are they in very high traffic areas? Are there any alternatives to buying that chamois butter...has anyone used anything else that's worked well?

Thanks!

[DeniseGoldberg]

On the gloves front - I recommend wearing them always. They help protect your hands when you're riding plus if on the off chance you happen to fall, they'll save your hands there too.

Chamois butter? I don't use it, and I don't use anything else either. I've never felt the need to add anything like this, and my body seems to be perfectly content with my nicely padded bike shorts (no underwear, just the chamois on my Pearl Izumi Ultrasensor shorts).

--- Denise

[Wendy]

As for the NYC Century, the routes are pretty well marked, but there are so many people (especially on the 35-mile route) that you'll probably never even have a chance to get lost.

I'd just make sure your shorts are comfortable for at least one longish ride before the main event. I also have a pair of PI Ultrasensors, but something about the chamois doesn't agree with me; I'd hate to have discovered that on a long ride.

[caligurl]

ditto on the making sure your shorts are comfy BEFORE the big ride!!!!

gloves.. ya.. i would wear them... they do help.. plus like denise said.. on the off chance you fall..... (now that said... i'm anal about tan lines and have taken to not wearing gloves this summer when riding in the sun.... and yes.. i do notice a difference in how my hands feel!)

chamois butt'r.. i use it on longer rides... it's a personal preference... bag balm is an alternative.. but it's greasy.... ick... doesn't seem to wash out of the short very well.. there's also assos.. but expensive! for me.. chamois butt'r works and is the least expensive!

[Geonz]

And mainly... don't let your attitude keep you down.

I, too, sometimes look back and know I would never have believed (and nobody with any sense would have either) that the nerd who was the old 'last one picked' soul who *still* ducks when the ball comes would end up averaging 16+mph for 200 km. on a cycle.
It didn't happen overnight... and since I was used to having my own agendas for physical activities (I just function better with exercise) and made a career of keeping swim team coaches honest (you mean you *really* don't make cuts? You *really* just want people who try hard? Yes, my times are *that* slow... now, if they had races on kickboards...) I was used to taking a long time and lots of practice to learn things and being at the back of the pack.
Okay, so you might not have the hidden strenghts... so don't try the 127 miles. 35, though, is totally attainable, and the technology is awesome on the new bikes. Plus, you won't be doing it in front of BF. Do it for YOUR reasons.

I don't do chammy butter either... a bike that fits and comfy shorts are fine for me (if it's only 35 miles I don't need padded shorts). But get a bike that fits, that YOU like to ride... I'm still not clipless-pedalled (too cheap; have toe clips, though) and ride an upright with small tires 'cause it's what feels good under my butt, and my butt's what I have to answer to :-)

[Geonz]

Oh, and I read *every* book on cycling before ever I shopped for abike... talk about research to death :-)
Based on the research I got no kickstand, but went back three days later 'cause my lifestyle said otherwise (well, also the weight of the bike; I don't need one on the aluminum one).

[Adventure Girl]

I, too, sometimes look back and know I would never have believed (and nobody with any sense would have either) that the nerd who was the old 'last one picked' soul who *still* ducks when the ball comes would end up averaging 16+mph for 200 km. on a cycle.

Me, too! Me, too! It's a good thing that Geonz and I didn't go to school together. Because there would have been *2* "last ones picked"!! Sometimes it even surprises me that I ride... can ride... do ride...

Back on topic... Will you be miserable without gloves for 35 miles? It depends. I would be. The "crook" between my thumb and index finger is sometimes the most sore part of my body after long rides. But your mileage may differ. Everyone is different. Same with chamois butt'r. Some like it. Some don't. Some use it. Some don't.

My suggestion is to get out there and ride before the event. What's the longest ride you've done? How many miles? How many hours? How much climbing does the course have? Are you comfortable doing that much climbing? Do a few trial runs of similar distance and exertion. Be informed and be prepared.

And most of all... Have a good time!

[notsportygirl]

I have no idea what kind of hills will be on the 35 mile route of the NYC Century. Does anyone know? I've only been doing short rides so far...a few 8 mile rides a week. I'm picking up my friend's bike tonight that I'm borrowing longterm (I've been riding my one-speed, vintage Schwinn so far), and I just ordered my padded bike shorts, so I'll be ready for a long ride this week-end, hopefully. I was thinking of riding to Coney Island and back (for anyone out there who lives in NY).

[slinkedog]

Notsporty... I do Chamois Butt'r and I do Assos chamois creme. I like the Assos best (and of course it's the more expensive) because it seems to have more "staying power" than the other stuff. I've tried Vaseline, but it didn't wash out well. The only thing about the Assos is that it tingles when you put it on, but after a minute or two in the saddle I don't notice it anymore. I mainly put it on the place where my legs meet my rear because i get friction there from pedaling. I also put it on the girly bits.

[KSH]

For 35 miles... get some gloves that are padded on the palm... so when you lean on your hand you get some *support*.

Padded shorts are a must.

Otherwise, start getting your miles up. I know that on a Saturday... I typically ride 40 miles... and with the rest stops... it isn't bad at all.

But, you need to start riding further than 8 miles each time... and you can do it! Remember, you can stop and rest if you get tired!

[Wendy]

Notsporty, the NYC Century is not very hilly. The big bridges can have long, low-grade hills, but it really isn't bad. If you go on the 5-Boro ride in May, there's a very long hill at the Verrazano bridge (at the end of the ride, of course), but you don't have to worry about that until next year.

[notsportygirl]

Wendy,

Can you recommend any moderate length rides where the traffic isn't too dangerous. I have one of those cycling maps, but I've read that a lot of the recommended routes are not so "recommended" in real life. I'm trying to up my mileage, but since I'm new, would like a kind of no-brainer route while I get my endurance up. I'm coming from Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Any ideas?

Miranda

[Grog]

Gloves: they make a difference. But one between "happy" and "miserable", probably not. But do get them if you intend to be riding any more after that 35-miler (which I do not doubt you will!!).

Chamois butt'r: I use it only when I ride many days in a row, especially rides on very hot days when I'm so sweaty my chamois just can't take all the humidity out. That's the only time when it gets necessary. That being said, I don't use chamois butt'r but "zincofax", which is the Canadian name of the stuff you put on the butt cheeks of babies to avoid diaper rash. Works wonders on big babies, too, available everywhere, not so expensive.

[Pedal Wench]

If you find you need something, I've used A&D ointment - diaper rash creme - instead of Chamois Butt'r, and I had a pro racer girl recommend Eucerin Calming Creme. But, I don't use them on short rides.

One thing - build up slowly. If you build up slowly, you can fix problems with fit and equipment.

Good luck - I'm another one who never thought I would enjoy a sport as much as I do.

[bikerchick68]

hiya notsporty! I missed jumping in on the first post ya did, but wanted to welcome you too! Your name describes me to a tee as well... until I took up cycling... never thought I would be able to call myself an athlete... my first ride was 10 miles and I was pretty sure that death was imminent immediately afterward! LOL...

35 miles is VERY do-able for you as everyone said... looking forward to hearing about your progress!