Do a Metric Century on my Own???

[Aggie_Ama]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I talked with DH and he was extremely excited that I want to do this.

I am thinking the Metric, because every long ride I do I need a little encouragement at about mile 70. I won't have my normal cheerleader! If this goes well I may be enjoying lots of rides without him.

DH is going to spend the next week giving me a flat changing classes.

SadieKate- I have all the things to change a flat but the skills! I seem to have difficulty getting the tire back on the rim.

[Nanci]

http://www.bikepro.com/products/tubes/tubes-levers.html

Look at the thing on the top- the Quik-Stik. It makes changing tires _so_ easy. LBS probably carries them.

Nanci

[Geonz]

I couldn't get there (seems to happen a lot to me!) - so I googled quik-stik and the first hit was from a medical company. Seems these are great for fixing wheelchair tires :-)

[barrb46]

Go for it! You'll hook up with someone to ride with. I did do a fairly new (second year for it) century ride last year -- less than 1000 people participated and I did ride alone a lot. The larger rides are better I think if you are going to do it without a partner. Make sure you have a map and don't lose it! My bike shop was happy to have me watch them change flats -- and gave me tips. I would practice at home - maybe while watching tv.

Keep us posted.

[CorsairMac]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I talked with DH and he was extremely excited that I want to do this.

I am thinking the Metric, because every long ride I do I need a little encouragement at about mile 70. I won't have my normal cheerleader! If this goes well I may be enjoying lots of rides without him.

DH is going to spend the next week giving me a flat changing classes.

SadieKate- I have all the things to change a flat but the skills! I seem to have difficulty getting the tire back on the rim.

I think you should do the century! I have the same problem - somewhere around mile 65 to about mile 85 I wonder why I"m out here?...and can start to feel very demotivated so.......................I drink something with caffeine in it, get off the bike for a few minutes and eat something, and sing songs - really loud and really bad!!! Once I start giggling I"m ok and can keep on keepin on!!

[Bad JuJu]

Do it!!! I've never done a century, but done several metric centuries, none of them with my guy--he's more the motorcycling type than the bicycling type. So I suspect that, judging by my own experience, one of two things will happen: 1. you'll just get into the groove of riding by yourself and you'll love it, or 2. you'll meet one or two others who are riding about the same pace as you and you'll all settle in together and urge each other on whenever necessary. In any case, you'll be SO PLEASED with yourself when you're done.

Have fun!!!

[betagirl]

I agree with the others, you can DO it (in best Rob Schneider "waterboy" voice)

[Aggie_Ama]

I went and signed up today!!! I picked up my goody bag (how unfair it has MENS deodorant and that is it) and ride map this afternoon. I cannot wait for next weekend.

[Starfish]

I went and signed up today!!! I picked up my goody bag (how unfair it has MENS deodorant and that is it) and ride map this afternoon. I cannot wait for next weekend.

Good for you!

My first 100 mile ride ever was a charity event I did solo, 200 miles actually, 100 each day. I had made plans to ride with a girlfriend, but she had to bag out, so I decided to do it anyhow. It was SO empowering. Not only will you find you can do the distance, but that: you can handle what comes up, people out there in cycling are really ready to help, and maybe most important of all, that when you need that encouragement at 80 miles, YOU can give yourself the encouragement you need. :-) After that, I could go out for a solo 60 mile training ride with so much more confidence. It was a barrier breaker for me.

I'm with the others: not only get lessons in changing that flat (and then practice more than you want to, because it is different doing it tired in the rain than in your living room), but get a lesson on fixing your chain. You'd get mechanical support for this on an organized ride, but I found this very reassuring for my long solo training rides.

[An aside about the deodorant: I just received a promotional men's deodorant in a recent bike catalog order. I had an item to return for a different size, anyhow, so I threw the men's deodorant back in too, with a note. I let them know I hoped they would start prioritizing women as more than a niche market. I suggested that since I spend money and support their business and cycling, that they could note my feminine name and toss in a woman's item, or at the very least use promo items that truly are unisex, like Butt'r or something. I'm starting to speak up to companies, LBSs and organizers more and more, because I want to be treated as more than a niche market. Just my .02.]

Have a great time, and tell us all about it! :-)

[Aggie_Ama]

Oops, I did get some Butt'r too. I gave the deodorant to my DH, but I am annoyed. I may have to start speaking up too, us women want the goodies too!

I should note the encouragement to do the full century is great. I am still only doing the Metric. My older brother's 30th Birthday party is next Saturday and I need to be at my parents house to help with that. I am was so *tempted* to try the 105 mile route, but I think 62 is all I can do next weekend. I really think this is going to be the first of many solo rides, my DH works 3/4 weekends. I can't wait to tell you all about it!