Calls for thoughts/advice 1st CenturyRide

[Zen]

tract
1. an expanse or area of land, water, etc.; region; stretch.
2. Anatomy.
a. a definite region or area of the body, esp. a group, series, or system of related parts or organs: the digestive tract.
b. a bundle of nerve fibers having a common origin and destination.

[Starfish]

tract
1. an expanse or area of land, water, etc.; region; stretch.
2. Anatomy.
a. a definite region or area of the body, esp. a group, series, or system of related parts or organs: the digestive tract.
b. a bundle of nerve fibers having a common origin and destination.

Different than the Luge Track I was picturing for GI.

[Zen]

Though that can sometimes be a good analogy

[Geonz]

What about those tracts people hand you with the cartoons and the morality lesson?

In my crowd the rule includes the potties: Eat before you're hungry, drink before you're thirsty, and pee when you get the chance. However, doing centuries I generally don't need them until the end.

When I did the RAIN ride with its mass start, I heard that things were hairy where the racers were in front so I positioned myself in the back 'cause I knew I didn't really care where I finished.

Even if you care where you finish, for your first one you prob'ly want to start near the back ... 100 miles is plenty of time to catch up to people who started out too fast, unlike you

[Aggie_Ama]

Zondian- I didn't realize you just started until I read the getting to know you. Not to rain on your parade but a century is a very different animal. I was in incredible shape (running 5 miles 4x a week and plenty of core workouts) when I did a hilly 76 miler but didn't have much time in the saddle. I barely finished and cried in the car on the way home. I was sick to my stomach, sore all over and felt defeated. That ride left me with a disdain for cycling for a while and questioning if I could ever do a ride that long.

Only you know what you are capable of but I think of a mountainous century like running a marathon. It just takes a long time for you body to be able to go for 6-8 (or more) hours on the bike.

[tygab]

but, there are other distances at a century ride, sometimes as little as 25 miles! So I thought maybe she is doing one of those, and is just excited about the group ride aspect?

Z, I think you need to be careful about this too. Most cyclists prepare for long distance rides (say anything over 60ish) for several months to get the mileages up there, and that's assuming they've ridden shorter distance rides before, have familiarity with long rides, group rides, any number of things. You learn a great deal about your capabilities on these longer rides, including how to manage your food and drink on your own. In group rides, you'll learn how to watch others for cues that they're slowing or speeding up etc.

If you had indicated you started cycling back in say May or June to get ready for the big 100, etc then I'd be less concerned for you. Even then, most cyclists don't go for centuries in their first road seasons (but some do, and it can be done).

Tell us a little about your training. What has your longest ride been to prepare? We just want to make sure you come out of the experience on the positive side, not injured or hating the experience...

-T

[zondian]

Thank you all for your concern and reality checks, sincerely.

[Mr. Bloom]

My advice has mental angles to it:
- don't count the miles ahead...take it one mile at a time.
- if you get tired or discouraged, make a deal to go to the next SAG...you'll feel better by the time you get that far.