I've committed to my first century!

[Jo-n-NY]

Wishing you lots of luck. You have a very good plan and I think you will be very well prepared for the ride. I am riding my first century on Sunday. I will post how I made out. As of now, I am super excited and so mentally ready.

~ JoAnn

[GLC1968]

Wow, Jo...how did it go?

(look, I'm a poet! )

[GLC1968]

Bikerchick - thanks for the info on the difference between men and women...that makes a lot of sense!

And to whomever recommended SportBeans...I LOVE YOU! I took a couple of packs on our ride on Saturday and they rocked! WAY better than Powerade (which I like better than Gatorade)! Plus, DH hates all chewey things like that...so I didn't have to share!

We did 42 miles on Saturday in tough winds. It was doublely frustrating because on the legs where the wind should have been at our back, we were in woodsy areas where the wind wasn't a big deal. On the legs were the wind was in our faces (or about to blow me off my bike from the side) we were in farmland areas and it sucked! Actually, it was a gorgeous day, wind notwithstanding... And I kicked butt. In fact, the next day (yesterday) I wasn't even sore (except for the butt) and DH was moaning all day. Rock on!

We are selecting a couple of metric centruries to throw into our schedule...so it's subject to change based on scheduling!

[Bike Goddess]

GLC- Glad to hear the Sports Beans worked! (If I recall, it was Ms Sadie Kate who first recommended them to me last year so she really deserves the credit!!!!)

That nasty wind will make you STRONG! I know, I know, who likes being buffeted around, it's not fun. BUT winds are like hills- they require you to work hard.

42 miles- good.

If your butt is hurting after 42 miles that might be a sign of potential problems as you ride longer distances. You might try raising your seat about 1cm and see how that goes. Mark the spot where you started from so you can keep track. (you can always go back) Your body doesn't like big changes, but incremental ones are fine. I've had to adjust my seat height several times to get it perfect for long distance riding. Good to get these issues solved now!

Also, drink lots afterwards. I'm even into drinking chocolate milk as it appears to work as well as recovery drinks. AND, don't forget to stretch those quads and hamstrings as well as your back!!!!!

[SadieKate]

GLC - did your butt hurt during the 42 mile ride or only the next day when you got back on the bike? If it was the latter, you probably just need the saddle time. Not uncommon for your butt (usually the sitbones which would be noticeable the next day) to be sore just from increasing mileage.

Sounds like you finished strong! Good going.

[GLC1968]

SadieKate - It was definitely the sit bones...and the next day. I don't remember having too much soreness after the 110 weekend last year, so I think you are probably right and I just need more saddle time.

Of course...a new bike that fits me better will be a plus, too! I think we'll be ording it tonight after work! Yipee!!

Bikegoddess - I've heard that about chocolate milk! I don't really do dairy, but I'm tempted to give that a shot! I will say that I'm crazy-insane about my water bottle...so hydration when I'm not on a bike is a piece of cake for me. I drink water like it's going out of style!

[maillotpois]

GLC - did your butt hurt during the 42 mile ride or only the next day when you got back on the bike? If it was the latter, you probably just need the saddle time. Not uncommon for your butt (usually the sitbones which would be noticeable the next day) to be sore just from increasing mileage.

Sounds like you finished strong! Good going.

Ditto! My butt always hurts if I have been off the bike or not riding longer distances. You need to break it in to get it used to riding longer distances - just like any other part of your body. When I start the year after a light winter, my butt will hurt. But I did a 200 miler Saturday with no butt pain whatsoever. It's conditioning.

While a seat height change may be in order, the fact that nothing else hurt except your butt seems to point to just needing to get saddle time. I'd cautio against changing your seat height, and giving yourself more saddle time first to see if that helps. Changing seat height could lead to other problems. Also, there's a difference between saddle "tired" sore and saddle "pain holy cow I can't go on like this" sore. Sounds like yours may just be the former (not to downplay it at all). So try more saddle time first.

[jeannierides]

GLC, I'll add my congrats to all of the above on committing to a century ride! It looks like you have your training well planned and underway. My first century didn't find me nearly as *trained* as I could have been, but I just decided to go, have fun, and do what I could.

My SO and I do a century in September each year down around the Va/NC border - The Great Peanut Tour - which is awesome. The heat is something else, but if you follow the advice of those who have posted before me, and take advantage of every single SAG stop, plus take nourishment and drinks with you, you'll be fine!

I'm in VA, but will have to check on Bikefest!