Tomorrow's my first organized ride!!

[Reesha]

It's always safe to bring 2 tubes. I have heard horror stories about double flats from people and the only double flat I've ever had is because a mischievous student let the air out of my tires while my bike was parked at school.

My first real group ride was a century, but I did not prepare well and I was completely alone for the majority of it. Here my exercise in stupidity in bullet format:

• I did not stretch the night before or the morning of
• I decided in all my brilliance to drink the night before
• I did not eat real food prior to the event (it started too early and I was hungover)
• I did not pace myself-- I struggled to keep up with all the hammerheads for a while and then burned out

Back then I didn't really have anyone helping out with these things. Granted, it was my own decision to throw common sense out the window. It would have been nice if someone had been able to give me pointers before the century but they hadn't. All I knew is that I'd been on 75 mile rides before and hadn't done anything special to prepare and this would probably be the same. Ugh!

I have learned a great many thing since then!

Soooo... have something to eat that has carbs and protein about 4 hours before your ride. I am doing a 50 miler today, so I am having some steel cut oats with maple syrup, nuts and dried fruit.

Pack something to eat for the ride-- easily digested carbs. Bananas are great!

Stretch beforehand

Do not go out with friends the night before

Good luck!

[kermit]

Excellent advice above. I did my first century with my hammerhead husband. We started with a pack of about 40 riders and looked down doing 25 mph without hardly pedaling. That was the first hour and we wound up doing 62 miles because of the weather. Pace yourself or try to team up. Most groups will welcome you to join in with someone your pace. My ride was well supported and guys on mopeds were around if you flatted. Just eat plain, good food because as soon as you get up early so will your digestive system.
Your packet will probably contain some cool samples of goos and gels and your number. My club requires a number on the back and stickered number on the helmet (looks stupid). Four little safety pins will work. The start is a mass start and you will see the hammerheads go first, just take you time and pick a hole. Hope that helps, HAVE FUN!
Is there a BBQ or beer afterwards, thats the best part.

[momtohanna]

There is a bbq after ~ my mom will have my daughter there will they be able to come?

Also do I need to bring safety pins with me or will they provide those?

I'm getting really excited as the day goes on.

Jackie

[kermit]

Hopefully you will get four little pins in your packet if they have their stuff together, and yes your daughter will absolutely be welcome. You will love it, I'm doing one next month. Let us know how it goes. Oh, go to bed early!!!!!!!

[momtohanna]

Thanks for all your support ~ I'm really excited. I'll pop in tomorrow and let you know how it went. I'm sure there will be pictures and video lol.

[Reesha]

Oh man I would kill for a BBQ right now. Mmmm bbq chicken.

They might charge a bit for your mom to eat at the bbq, but that's the only thing I could think of happening.

Enjoy your ride-- pace, hydrate and feed yourself and you will love it!

[ny biker]

If they give you a number to wear, they should have pins for you to put it on your jersey.

It's best to bring snacks you're used to eating during rides. You don't want to eat something at the rest stop that you're not used to eating because it might not agree with you.

If there's a mass start, they'll have everyone assemble at the start, you'll stand around while they make some announcements, and then they'll let you go. It will be slow at first while you're in the starting bunch. If you use clipless pedals, you'll probably want to keep one foot unclipped until you really get moving.

If it's show-and-go, you check in, get your bike and everything ready, hit the bathroom, and off you go when you're ready.

Before I leave home, I make sure I haven't forgotten anything by doing a head-to-toe check. Is my helmet packed? Sunglasses? Food and drink? Gloves? etc. down to -- Shoes and socks?

Also you might want to bring clean clothes to change into after the ride.

Good luck and have fun!