First 30 Mile Ride - Things To Know?

[Grog]

I also support eye protection (seems like you have that figured out already) but since no one mentioned it I would also add: gloves. You may not have a pair yet, but as you start riding more (and especially around lots of other cyclists) you may want to be sure that the delicate tissue of your hands is protected.

In a simple fall on a bit of gravel, a pair of fingerless gloves can make the difference between standing up, dusting yourself and keeping going, or enduring weeks of excruciating hand pain because of road rash and encrusted micro-pebbles.

And, yeah, for your next long ride, a water bottle cage + water bottle on the bike will allow you to drink much more often. If there isn't room for two bottles, you can always just refill the one you have at frequent stops. I find that if I drink large amounts at a time I need to pee and pee and pee. If I sip away every 5 minutes my body manages its water better and I need to go only once or twice during a full day ride.

But above all: HAVE FUN!

[Velocivixen]

@Catrin, that's a good reminder regarding the wind and wicking materials and maybe not feeling that you're sweating. I have my eye on a Camelbak day hike pack either the Trinity or the Helena for overall hydration. They're not "bike specific", but women's specific design hiking packs.

@Grog, thanks for the suggestions too. I forgot to mention that I have Specialized Gel gloves (fingerless) that I just bought.

Yes, there is a lot of equipment one should have and since I've never really cycled as much as I do, I am gathering items slowly.

[Catrin]

@Catrin, that's a good reminder regarding the wind and wicking materials and maybe not feeling that you're sweating. I have my eye on a Camelbak day hike pack either the Trinity or the Helena for overall hydration. They're not "bike specific", but women's specific design hiking packs.

@Grog, thanks for the suggestions too. I forgot to mention that I have Specialized Gel gloves (fingerless) that I just bought.

Yes, there is a lot of equipment one should have and since I've never really cycled as much as I do, I am gathering items slowly.

Personally I don't use water bottles, but I do have the cages on my bike and for long rides I do have bottles mixed with Accelerade to supplement my Cambelbak. I have't learned how to use the water bottles while riding, but I would never drink enough from them. The hydration pack is so much easier - and in the summer it is nice to have it full of ice water

You might also want to consider cycling specific Camelbacks, they have several versions for women that are designed to fit us better on both where the straps fit and how it fits our backs. I am short, so this is perhaps more of a concern for me - I don't want the top of the pack to hit my helmet. I have this one in the "smokey grape" color, it really is more of a lilac.

There is a ton of storage space - which is great for both mountain biking and long road rides. The 2011 bladders have a different design from previous years, and of course you don't have to keep 100 oz of water in it unless you need it. I ride a lot of places where there are no chances to get more, so I have to keep that in mind. I have a smaller 2010 Aurora, but I did run out of water last year a few times with only 50 ounces, and the strap hit me much lower on the chest than with the Luxe.

[Velocivixen]

Thanks Catrin on that suggestion. I just looked at that hydration pack and it looks like REI has one at their Portland store, so I might try it on. I think riding and drinking from a water bottle sounds like it involves a lot of coordination! I like to stop for "water breaks" and actually, stop, get off the bike, sit or stand and rest, have a drink and snacks, etc. My pannier is an Arkel "Bug" and has bilateral, outside mesh "pockets" designed for water bottles. I would still have to stop to pull the water bottles out, but that's fine for me now. I think as I get to riding more I will have a better sense of how I want to transport things and what I want to carry.
The camelbak day packs I was considering are WSD, and I watched their video on the new bladder system and it looks nice. My DH has an older camelbak and it's different.
I will keep you posted on what I decide on. It won't be purchased right away, as I'm still "catching up" on a lot of other purchases.

[TrekTheKaty]

I admit water bottles take practice, but you should put at least one rack on. I use it to carry beverages purchased "on the road" ie. soda, smoothies, ice coffee.

I add Nuun tablets to my water--they are zero calorie but have electrolytes. Tablet makes it easy to refill bottle/camelbak and drop another in (absolutely necessary in the heat).

I'm not sure what your eventual "goal" distance is, but it takes a camelbak and two water bottles to be self-supported on our 60 training rides for a century. On new routes, we can't be sure of finding a gas station or restaurant. It's better to be safe than sorry. (DH has also missed rest stops on organized rides and needed what he had to get through. I've shown up at a rest stop and they were out of water and only had blue gatorade--it was nice to have my own).

And of course, you learn what a jersey is for. I use the pocket to carry my cell phone, camera and jelly beans/gu (I can open while riding). Handlebar bag is also accessible while riding (takes practice). Your setup is fine for now, but one day you will be racing the weather (heat, wind, rain) and won't want to dismount every time you need something. I've also discovered that on longer rides, stopping too long just makes my legs tighten up.

PS. Saddle bag hangs under your seat for emergency supplies--tube, air cartridge, multitool, small first aid kit, etc

Have a great ride

[Velocivixen]

I did the ride last sunday and it was good-only 25 miles. However the roads were rough. I have 700x32c tires which are smooth and I felt every bump. Since that ride I bought Blackburn stainless steel water bottle cages and installed them. Now I need some nice stainless steel water bottles. I wore sunglasses and they were fine and glad I did, since we had a headwind.
Instead of a saddlebag right now I think I'm getting a trunk. My Dh has the Arkel Tail Wind and it's really nice. I still need room to carry more than just repair tools/tube, so the trunk bag is smaller than the pannier. Eventually I'll likely get a saddle bag too as well as a bike specific jersey.
Thanks for all the great suggestions. Keep them coming, and I'll post updated info.

[marni]

I also carry small packs of chamois buttr in my pocket. Just saying.

marni