Tips for long ride!

[Catrin]

+100 on not starting out too fast. While a neck injury currently prevents me from riding like I would like, a couple years ago I was pretty much riding a metric century most weekends (until overuse injuries stopped that - but THAT is another story) I also like using a hydration pack on the bike, it is less complicated and insures that I will actually drink. Nothing wrong with stopping for a bite when you need to do so if you aren't comfortable eating while riding - I can do that if I have something in small enough pieces in my top tube bag, but I don't often do that. Having your Camelbak, depending on the size, will provide a bit extra room for storing things.

Have fun, pace yourself, and enjoy the event! Also agreed that you shouldn't take food/drink that you aren't accustomed to so think about having a little something with you in case they have different snacks/drink at the stops that you aren't accustomed to. Your first long ride isn't the time to experiment.

[Helene2013]

Thank you very much for your "input". I will take that with me on those 2 rides. After the 1st one, I will have a better idea what to expect for the 2nd one, which will be a bit longer/harder too.

[lph]

Knowing the route is a big help in pacing yourself, so I'd recommend riding or driving a long route in advance to get a feel for where you need to conserve energy and where you can just lay it on if you're feeling strong. It also helps mentally knowing that you're a third of the way, halfway or whatever.

Another tip that might help: adrenaline masks hunger, and I can ride without feeling hunger until I almost literally fall off my bike. Realize that your body does need fuel even though you don't feel hungry, and try to eat regularly - not a lot, just a little. Once my heart rate is above a certain level I have trouble swallowing and digesting food, so I have to either eat very easy stuff, like banana bites, or slow down for a while.

Have fun :-)