Quote Originally Posted by 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.
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! :-)