First 30 Mile Event Ride-What I Need to Know

[Velocivixen]

Thanks radacrider. I know you're right about it being "mental". My friend actually has done a 500+ mile ride around Canada with a group. It rained a lot and she was the only one who completed the entire trip even through the rain. I think it helps to have group/ride cycling experience to know how to pace, adjust, etc. in times where it just sucks. Now I have some experience and I will know how to adjust better. Even for this ride I spoke with several riders after the event and they had signed up for the 68 mile ride and bailed out after 30-40 due to the weather.

[jdubble]

Thanks radacrider. I know you're right about it being "mental". My friend actually has done a 500+ mile ride around Canada with a group. It rained a lot and she was the only one who completed the entire trip even through the rain. I think it helps to have group/ride cycling experience to know how to pace, adjust, etc. in times where it just sucks. Now I have some experience and I will know how to adjust better. Even for this ride I spoke with several riders after the event and they had signed up for the 68 mile ride and bailed out after 30-40 due to the weather.

I'm proud of you for getting out and doing it! My husband and I had a rare morning alone (the kids were at my parents') and were going to go for a ride together, something we never get to do. We both woke up, looked outside, and agreed that we'd rather stay in and read the paper So kudos to you for doing that ride! It was NASTY out there yesterday!

Have you done any of the Woodstock Bike Gallery Ladies-only rides? They have them twice a month. I used to ride with the ladies out of the Hollywood shop, and it was always a good ride. Got me used to riding in a group again and pacing for a 30+ mile ride.

[emily_in_nc]

Congratulations -- you did it! I wouldn't have even started in pouring rain. We'd signed up for a century before and woke up to driving rain. Just ate the entry fee we'd already paid and rolled over and went back to sleep. Only a small % of those who signed up actually did the ride. So you should feel very good that you persevered.

As for the mental part, I completely get it! Read about my ride today in the "June 19 rides" thread. I had a tough go of it too. I didn't mention this in my ride report, but Father's Day is a toughie for me because I lost my dad in a car accident in 2005. I loved him dearly and miss him madly. That will never change. So I always feel a little lonely and sad on this day anyway, and a difficult solo ride didn't help my mental attitude. But my ride ended on an upbeat note, and yours did too, from the sounds of it -- conquering that hill! You go!

[DarcyInOregon]

Velo, glad you finished the ride. The first event ride can always be difficult and fraught with drama, and usually on too heavy of a bike. But you experienced adventures and you will remember this ride for many years. Your next event ride will be better.

Eating on the event rides is something that is learned with repitition and unique to each cyclist. Most of the female cyclists I know stick with whatever bike food they stuff in their jersey pockets, plus electrolyte tablets, and use the rest stops for water, to eat fresh fruit and veggies, maybe to eat a little something with sodium, on the longer rides a boiled egg now and then for the protein, and of course to use the Porta Potties. I can't eat a meal half-way through a bike ride as it interferes with my blood sugar. I know of cyclists who bonked only an hour after eating a meal on a bike ride, and the theory is that the body has to divert energy to digesting the meal, and it doesn't leave enough ready energy to ride the bike, so the blood sugars get too low.

Eventually the rolling hills will be easy for you, rollers that you speed down and then go up the next one without even shifting down the gears. It just takes time and lots of riding, then one day they are no longer hills to you but just slight variations in the terrain.

I found two of my cats on bike rides, so keep your heart open when you are out cycling. Last summer there was an 8-week black and white female kitten about 30 feet up an old oak tree screaming her head off, no farm houses nearby, about a mile from Champoeg State Park. I rescued her and today she is a vibrant and healthy fluffy kitty. A few months ago I found a young female cat so starved she was almost dead, by the side of the road out near Willamette Mission State Park, fur fallen out from malnutrition and starvation, spotted her from my bike. I stopped and fed her bits of my Power Bar. I promised her I would come back for her; she screamed after me, wanting to go with me on my bike and it broke my heart to hear the sound. I was riding with someone and we still had another 35 miles to go. She was waiting for me when I got back to that spot in my car. The vet said she was the most starved near-death cat that the clinic ever treated. Right now she is of normal weight and sleeping behind my Notebook.

Yesterday's weather was tempermental, but it was warm enough. I rode with shorts and jersey and a light rain jacket, took the rain jacket off about an hour into my group training ride and kept it off, didn't mind getting wet as bike clothing dries fast. I ride all winter so it is all perspective, and I thought the weather was great because it wasn't too hot or too windy or too cold and the temperature was over 55.

[Velocivixen]

To all of you for your pre-ride advice and your support - THANK YOU. I kept in mind especially what you said about eat/drink before you feel hungry/thirsty. The only time I ever rode 25 miles back in May I didn't eat or drink ANYTHING until after I finished. No wonder it took me so long that day! haha.

Thanks to all of you who have given me virtual hugs for my post ride blues. I sure appreciate knowing that you all have had similar things happen and how you coped or felt during and after the ride.

UPDATE: My DH and I went to the Oregon Humane Society just to "look" and came home with two 9 month old female cats! I will do a separate post, but if you can't wait to see go to these web pages to see the cats. The first one is all black and was named "Biddy Earls" but we're calling her "Mila" : http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/ad...nimalID=108398

The second one was called "Puma Purrsalot" and we're calling her Violet : http://www.oregonhumane.org/adopt/ad...nimalID=109209

So I will be busy spending time with "the girls" currently in separate rooms so they can acclimate. I'll keep you posted.

[andtckrtoo]

Congrats on your ride! Majorly impressive, especially for a first organized ride!! It did sound scary in parts.

Also congrats on your new editions! They are cutie pies!!!

[Velocivixen]

Thanks all. I have an acquaintance who rode the 100 mile loop. He said he was surprised/horrified by the hills in the 30 mile section (end of his ride) and especially the headwinds. He said there were very few riders who completed the 100 ride, maybe 12-20 at most and they all came in around the same time regardless of age or fitness. The course marshalls pulled off a few "skinny lycra clad young chicks" because they were wearing just tops and shorts and suffering from pretty severe hypothermia. Others quit at the turnoff (those on the 68 or 100 mile loop) at around 50 miles. He's a seasoned rider with 85K miles under his belt and he said this was no picnic.
So I guess now I feel just a tiny bit "hard core".