First Big Ride...any advice?!

[azfiddle]

Ditto on eating before you ride. I usually eat a bowl of oatmeal & raisins or half a bagel and cream cheese, or a slice of toast with cheese or peanut butter. Just so you have something in your system- mainly carbs.

Bring more water than you think you need (2 bottles), and some snacks. For that distance, you may want to eat something around 15 miles in or so. I find that I want to eat a snack by about an hour in. An energy bar (luna bar or similar), pretzels, or trail mix are possibilities. A rule of thumb I've been using is that after an hour, I eat about 100 calories every half hour. I have become pretty fond of shot blocks as a ride snack- they are easy to eat and digest and they are like eating candy.

[Bike Writer]

I can't add anything to the good advice already given but I can say -

Good luck and have fun!

[bluebug32]

Good advice! I'd also add that I recommend eating something that includes slow-burning complex carbs at least two hours before the ride. That will give you plenty of time to digest. If you ride for more than 1.5 hours, then add a sports drink or small snack. Have fun!

[ToshaMack]

Awesome ride....I'm still new to shifting gears but through it all we had a blast!! I did eat a lite breakfast of oatmeal and brought some snacks along. I'm sure I will feel sore tomorrow, but I'm pumped up!!

Thanks all for the great advice

Roll-Tide

[Seajay]

Awesome ride....I'm still new to shifting gears but through it all we had a blast!! I did eat a lite breakfast of oatmeal and brought some snacks along. I'm sure I will feel sore tomorrow, but I'm pumped up!!

Nice Job ToshaMack!

[azfiddle]

Glad it went well! Soon you'll feel like 25 is just an easy ride!

[bluebug32]

Sweet! Sounds like you rocked it!