Strategy for a hilly century? Tell me I'm ready!

[Veronica]

I do have the fancy watch that beeps at me and it's great! But you could use your cue sheet as a reminder.

Veronica

[ny biker]

FWIW, I have lots of friends who have done this century. They usually ride in southern Maryland where there are no mountains, and it's doable for them.

And yes, ice cream.

[rebeccaC]

Looking at the elevation map I’d pre-ride from around mile 25 to around mile 75 to see how the short steep climbs and the middle long climb goes. I'd also break that into sections in my mind for short goals i can meet to keep my mind on positives. The last 25-30 miles look like they should make for less energy used towards the end.

Climb at your own pace and in your comfort zone. Going anaerobic to keep up with others means you may not recover from the effort…..just know your limits and listen to your body. Climbing drains your body of glycogen and liquid so I make sure I’ve stored up glycogen and fluids, especially the night before, and during the ride eat and drink at constant intervals what I’ve found to work for me during long climbing rides. For your ride I’d have a good breakfast a hour and half before and take in more carbs the first half where the climbs are. Taking in carbs on the right schedule gives immediate glucose and can help protect glycogen stores.

Have a great day of riding and just enjoy the experience!!!!!!!

[Becky]

That's a great ride. They may have changed the course since I did it last, but at one time, there was a significant climb right out of the gate. Do whatever it takes to silence that little competitive voice and pace yourself. Hammering that first climb will not make for a good day As I recall (again, years ago), the last 20 miles or so are flattish, but more exposed. Keep eating and drinking.

Eat more than you think you need and drink often. You're going to burn an insane number of calories. I do better with "gut-approved" solid foods on long rides than I do with gels and blocks. YMMV.

Regardless of the distance, it becomes a mental game at some point. For me, it's invariably at the 80% mark, when I am ready To.Be.Done.Period. Be prepared for it...pack a special snack, tape a photo to your handlebars, whatever it takes to distract you and keep you going.

Above all else, take a deep breath, smile, and have fun. This is one of the best centuries I've done: route, scenery, food, support...all of it!

[fallstoclimb]

Yes it still starts with that big climb. They've changed up a little of the course this year but I think the elevation is roughly the same -- big climb at beginning, big climb at middle, not much climbing at the end THANK GOD.

Eating really is key I think. Yesterday we did 80 w/ 5K feet of climbing (still nowhere near the CWC amount), and I did pretty okay through the whole ride because I basically just ate as much as I could tolerate. It seemed like a ridiculous amount of food at the time, but I didn't go into the dark place! I'm feeling a lot more positive after that ride.

[Becky]

The year I did it, my rear derailleur cable decided to go slack on that first climb, leaving me without my lowest (biggest) cog! That was not fun. If you did the ride in 2009, I was the lady working on a bike hung from the state park sign at the first rest stop

[rebeccaC]

Be careful about eating too much…we can transport glucose to our bloodstreams only so fast. Ingesting too many carbs won’t increase the absorption rate and can give you digestion/stomach problems etc., especially towards the end of a longer ride. On a long ride I’ll keep to around 40 to 60 g’s of carbs per hour (towards 60 the harder the ride) with solid food the first half+ and then gels for quick energy and carbs the last part of a long days ride. That’s what works for me anyway.…..I also drink lots of fluid over the entire ride.

If you do count carbs per hour make sure you add up everything....food, gels and sports drinks etc.