First 50 in a very long time... and some petty questions

[robinmarylong]

OK so tomorrow I will be riding in the Prouty. My plan is to ride the 50. The offer a 20, 35, 50 and 100. When we start the ride it will be cool outside (probably in the 50s) so I want to wear a shell. My question is what do I do with it when it get warmer. Also, there are several sag stops on this bike route so I think I'll only need to carry one water bottle. What do you think? I also want to use some kind of chamois cream and I was wondering if anyone has ever used Burt's Bees hand salve or almond hand cream for this purpose. I've used the almond for shorter rides and it seems to be ok. I know some people use bag balm and the hand salve is similar.

I know I can do the 35, the 50 will be a challenge but I figure if I start early I have all day and I prefer to ride alone (I don't want to be pressured on this ride) although I'll be alone with 3000 other riders..LOL

Anyway any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm 47, overweight and asthmatic and I really like biking.

Thanks,
Robin

[Tri Girl]

Hi Robin. When it gets warm, just roll the jacket and tie it around your waist. If your bike has 2 cages, bring 2 bottles. If there's only one, then that should probably be fine (but I'm an over-hydrator, so I ALWAYS bring more than I think I'll need because you never know what's around the corner).
If you know you can do 35, then the 50 should be fine for you. Just take your time and enjoy yourself. Oh- and take pictures because we'd love to see your ride.

[robinmarylong]

Thanks Trigirl,

I wondered if it would be a problem to tie it around my back but I guess not. This is an extremely well organized ride and has a sag every 10 miles so I know I can drink a lot and keep the water bottle full and fresh (and have multiple chances to wiz too). I think if I was in Oklahoma I would over hydrate, I imagine its very hot, dry and windy.

Again Thanks!

Robin

[Biciclista]

If you have no bike bags, you can also stuff that jacket into a pocket. My DH does that all the time.

[Pedal Wench]

Thanks Trigirl,

I wondered if it would be a problem to tie it around my back but I guess not. This is an extremely well organized ride and has a sag every 10 miles so I know I can drink a lot and keep the water bottle full and fresh (and have multiple chances to wiz too). I think if I was in Oklahoma I would over hydrate, I imagine its very hot, dry and windy.

Again Thanks!

Robin

Try to stuff it in your pocket or a seatpost bag. I see too many people with a loosely tied jacket just waiting to get caught in a rear wheel or brake.

Another idea is a tyvek FedEx pouch or grocery bag under your jersey until it warms up, then just tosss it out at a rest stop.

[OakLeaf]

Try to stuff it in your pocket or a seatpost bag. I see too many people with a loosely tied jacket just waiting to get caught in a rear wheel or brake.

Put a square knot in the sleeves and it should be fine. She's right, just an overhand "knot" is dangerous.

Another idea is a tyvek FedEx pouch or grocery bag under your jersey until it warms up, then just tosss it out at a rest stop.

Tried that once, wound up dumping a quart of sweat out of the bag at each rest stop. Literally. Stayed warm-ish, though.

[Tri Girl]

Just wind the jacket up using the sleeves until it's one big "band" and tie it around your waist. I do it all the time with long sleeve shirts that I wear over short sleeve shirts when I ride (I don't wear many cycling jerseys with pockets). I certainly didn't mean to just tie the arms and leave the body of the jacket dangling behind you. That is dangerous.

[robinmarylong]

Just wind the jacket up using the sleeves until it's one big "band" and tie it around your waist. I do it all the time with long sleeve shirts that I wear over short sleeve shirts when I ride (I don't wear many cycling jerseys with pockets). I certainly didn't mean to just tie the arms and leave the body of the jacket dangling behind you. That is dangerous.

That's exactly what I did. Hey I finished and I felt very good about the ride. Truly I'm the queen of the hill slugs but I went up them and came down them. It was a ride for cancer research so I figured my ride was cake compared to the obstacles faced by cancer victims.

Thanks for the help....sorry no pics

Robin

[tctrek]

That's exactly what I did. Hey I finished and I felt very good about the ride. Truly I'm the queen of the hill slugs but I went up them and came down them. It was a ride for cancer research so I figured my ride was cake compared to the obstacles faced by cancer victims.

Thanks for the help....sorry no pics

Robin

Congratulations! We all knew you could do it!! You must feel great!

[tribogota]

Hope it was fun.
The three most important items I have discovered over the year for me, are a cycling jersey with back pockets (I keep my keys, crackers or granola bar in them). A windbreaker that squishes up small to fit in that back pocket of my jersey, and removable sleeves. All of these were a total of less than $70 and have kept me enormously comfortable on rides of longer distances. I bought the windbreaker for 29 of sierra trading post, the sleeves came with the jersey. I also now use a camelbak for all rides of over 40k. It cost about 15$, so all told less than $100 and I use them 2-3 times a week.

[Tri Girl]

Congrats on your finish!!!! I'm so glad you had a good time. I, too, am a hill slug, but any day I can ride is a good day in my book!

[HappyTexasMom]

Congratulations!!!

[Duck on Wheels]

Well done!!!

[robinmarylong]

I appreciate the support.