First organized ride/road ride. Help!

[Roadtrip]

I second the bike tail-light... Tho we've had the same problem with the super flash with it falling off. DH lost his only a mile from home, but even retracing the route on foot didn't turn up the dislodged light. Only other advice I can offer is to just relax and enjoy the ride. My first ride I freaked out and nearly hyperventilated when traffic and bike lane became one, on a hill, so I red-lined and blew up unable to recover due to stress (and a lack in fitness), but I know you'll be A-Ok

Let us know how it goes!!!
Shannon

[ny biker]

I would suggest riding on some roads to get (re)acquainted with them, so you can get used to scanning for obstacles like manhole covers, potholes, rough patches from poorly filled-in potholes, patches of broken glass, stuff like that.

If you'll be using a cue sheet, it's handy to have a holder for it. I use these (I have them in two sizes):

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodBM_S.html

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodBM_H.html

Though many people are happy just using a binder clip to attach the cue sheet to a cable in front of their handlebars. The important thing is to be prepared with something to hold the cue sheet.

[Kathi]

Neat, what ride did you sign up for?

[Owlie]

Neat, what ride did you sign up for?

Wright Wride.

[velo]

Actually, you might look into the ride info... they will probably have SAG stops with food and water, and maybe even a whole meal at the ride start/finish, so you may not really need to take food on the ride, unless you need some quick shot of some sort.

I agree that some road riding before hand would be a good idea. I ride an MUP for a few miles to access the roads I like and the roads are much rougher than the nicely paved MUP. Riding on roads will give you an idea about things like how much tire pressure you want to ride on to get a balance of efficiency and comfort, if your gloves will be sufficient for hand comfort (rougher pavement means more vibration that is transferred to your hands), etc.

Don't know anything about mirrors or lights, but you can probably get some good advice from your LBS.

Good luck and enjoy the ride!! I love organized rides!

[indysteel]

Owlie,

I posted some suggestions for dealing with other rides/safety at event rides in this recent thread. Perhaps it might be of help to you, too.

[Desert Tortoise]

Good suggestions above. I don't use a mirror (although thinking about it) but if I remember right from other posts, using one takes practice. Especially the helmet type. Maybe someone with helmet mirror experience can comment on that?

Are you familiar with these roads? As in have you driven on these roads? If you can't ride portions of the road, how about driving so as to familiarize yourself with the terrain?

Sounds like a fun event!