First 100 mile cycle
Discussion
I’m going to attempt my first 100 mile cycle over the bank holiday, I’ve just ordered myself padded bib shorts and some chamois cream.
I’ll be leaving early in the morning and allowing myself time for a good lunch pit stop.
Any recommendations on what to bring? Apart from the usual puncture repair kits etc
Many thanks
I’ll be leaving early in the morning and allowing myself time for a good lunch pit stop.
Any recommendations on what to bring? Apart from the usual puncture repair kits etc
Many thanks
Food.
cheese roll, jam sandwich, banana anything relatively plain that is normal food. supplement with a few gels or energy bars if you need to but depending on route / speed you may not need them - better to have backup than nothing at all, and don't rely on one refuelling stop (lunch)
same goes for water. drink and eat little bits regularly because if it goes wrong its too late
I'm assuming this is a leisurely pace / flat route, so just enjoy it!
cheese roll, jam sandwich, banana anything relatively plain that is normal food. supplement with a few gels or energy bars if you need to but depending on route / speed you may not need them - better to have backup than nothing at all, and don't rely on one refuelling stop (lunch)
same goes for water. drink and eat little bits regularly because if it goes wrong its too late
I'm assuming this is a leisurely pace / flat route, so just enjoy it!
EdmondDantes said:
Thanks!
I’ll stock up on food and water to snack along the way, it looks a relatively flat route, if it’s too much I could always get the train home.
Or plan a route where you could cut it short and return home after say 60,70,80 just in case you bonk. All depends what you are used to / how fit you are. My last 100km was like that with the last 20 going past my house and out on a final loop. I’ll stock up on food and water to snack along the way, it looks a relatively flat route, if it’s too much I could always get the train home.
I did my first 100 miler last year. Winchester to Dorchester.
The main issue I had was entirely psychological. I was targeting about 7 hours elapsed including stops, so in my head (and on my wahoo) was counting down the hours.
I got the estimate completely wrong because I included the Boscombe to Poole promenade on my route. Due to the pedestrian I only did about 6mph for an hour and never factored this in. I then spent an hour second guessing myself and panicking because my target arrival time was so wrong.
So the advice is to get your head in the right place, and be prepared for things panning out differently to how you planned them.
The main issue I had was entirely psychological. I was targeting about 7 hours elapsed including stops, so in my head (and on my wahoo) was counting down the hours.
I got the estimate completely wrong because I included the Boscombe to Poole promenade on my route. Due to the pedestrian I only did about 6mph for an hour and never factored this in. I then spent an hour second guessing myself and panicking because my target arrival time was so wrong.
So the advice is to get your head in the right place, and be prepared for things panning out differently to how you planned them.
Dont stop for too long at stops - 30 mins is more than enough.
Dont go crazy pace at the start, can always speed up 2nd half if feeling good.
I always try to start early also, nothing worse than chasing the daylight home.
Dress for all weathers - carry warmers/raincape etc - and plan in exactly where stops are
Good luck !
Dont go crazy pace at the start, can always speed up 2nd half if feeling good.
I always try to start early also, nothing worse than chasing the daylight home.
Dress for all weathers - carry warmers/raincape etc - and plan in exactly where stops are
Good luck !
Experience said:
Don't eat a massive burger and chips immediately before tackling the hilliest part of the ride!
Also, pack plenty of spare tubes, you don't want to be faffing around with puncture repair kits on what is already a long day out.Other than that, yeah consistent nutrition and hydration should see you through. I'm terrible for hydration, so I have set my Garmin up to tell me to drink every 10km or so, which is a handy reminder.
Oh, and enjoy it, most importantly!
Some great recommendations! the route is outside of Glasgow to Loch Lomond and back again.
Planning on leaving about 5:30 06:00, google maps states it’s about 3h 45 mins each way. I’ll easily allow 11/12 hours for factoring in breaks and the like.
Just put an order in with Sigma Sports x2 tubes, mini pump.
I’ll definitely take your advice and plan it in sections which would work out well!
Thanks everyone 👍
Planning on leaving about 5:30 06:00, google maps states it’s about 3h 45 mins each way. I’ll easily allow 11/12 hours for factoring in breaks and the like.
Just put an order in with Sigma Sports x2 tubes, mini pump.
I’ll definitely take your advice and plan it in sections which would work out well!
Thanks everyone 👍
alock said:
I did my first 100 miler last year. Winchester to Dorchester.
The main issue I had was entirely psychological. I was targeting about 7 hours elapsed including stops, so in my head (and on my wahoo) was counting down the hours.
I got the estimate completely wrong because I included the Boscombe to Poole promenade on my route. Due to the pedestrian I only did about 6mph for an hour and never factored this in. I then spent an hour second guessing myself and panicking because my target arrival time was so wrong.
So the advice is to get your head in the right place, and be prepared for things panning out differently to how you planned them.
Not a bad route, my first 100 miler of 2021 (first outdoor since doing 200 in 2019...) was Poole to Winchester, then on to my parents' in North Dorset.The main issue I had was entirely psychological. I was targeting about 7 hours elapsed including stops, so in my head (and on my wahoo) was counting down the hours.
I got the estimate completely wrong because I included the Boscombe to Poole promenade on my route. Due to the pedestrian I only did about 6mph for an hour and never factored this in. I then spent an hour second guessing myself and panicking because my target arrival time was so wrong.
So the advice is to get your head in the right place, and be prepared for things panning out differently to how you planned them.
Yours must have been a little more ziggy zaggy, I took the A35 across the New Forest, old A33, old A34, then A30.
It was getting tough at 70 miles, but I just stopped for a meal in Salisbury, which left a manageable 30 miles to go.
never done more than 60 miles a day before and covered 287 miles in the past 3 days. 6 water bottles each day 2x caffeine Hydration. 2x Hydration and 2x water. Nice lunch with lots of sweet tea and a decent breakfast bap. add in date, PB and coconut balls and a couple of carb gels and I've been fine.
the biggest thing I've done is TAKE IT EASY. usually a 17mph rider over long distances but only doing 14mph average. spinning the sissy ring uphill and allowing plenty of time.
don't worry OP all will be well
the biggest thing I've done is TAKE IT EASY. usually a 17mph rider over long distances but only doing 14mph average. spinning the sissy ring uphill and allowing plenty of time.
don't worry OP all will be well
EdmondDantes said:
I’m going to attempt my first 100 mile cycle over the bank holiday, I’ve just ordered myself padded bib shorts and some chamois cream.
I’ll be leaving early in the morning and allowing myself time for a good lunch pit stop.
Any recommendations on what to bring? Apart from the usual puncture repair kits etc
Many thanks
My VeloViewer data says I've done 43 x 100+ milers. I honestly thought it was more.I’ll be leaving early in the morning and allowing myself time for a good lunch pit stop.
Any recommendations on what to bring? Apart from the usual puncture repair kits etc
Many thanks
Not meant as a brag, just background. Because I'm "not much of a planner" really. I tend to have the same "tactical loadout" whatever I'm doing on a road bike. Most rides are 25+ miles (again not a brag) because I wouldn't drag my road bike out for "just" a couple of hours. Each of my bikes has a saddle bag which contains a spare tube (or two if they'll fit) with a traditional puncture repair kit, self adhesive repair patches, CO2, spare chain quick-links and a chain splitting tool. Hidden in the handlebars of my road bike is a small bunch of zip ties tied with string (dangling out beside the bar end plug to pull the cable ties out). Two water bottles in cages. Lights front and rear, even if I don't intend to be out after dark. I usually wear two jerseys on long rides. First layer centre pocket contains a tool pack with a pump, spare CO2 cartridges, extra puncture repair kit, tyre levers, a few of those fast food (KFC) individual hand wipes for cleaning up after a repair, and a multi-tool. Left pocket usually has a spare rear light, right pocket a packable wind/shower proof jacket. Outer layer has OS maps in left pocket, with a backlit magnifying glass "for the small print". Centre pocket is food. Supermarket own brand cereal bars will do, and if I'm out away from where I know there are shops I stuff in two peanut butter sandwiches (keeps better than cheese or ham in a hot pocket) and a banana. Right pocket is phone/camera pocket. House/car keys on a Silva Compass strung around my neck tucked under my second layer. I've also taped a spare (folding) tyre to my frame or saddle pack in the past, but I did loose one so don't much bother now. With all that swag I'm pretty comfortable if it's packed right. And I'm confident that I'm self-sufficient for all but the most extreme failures. [touches wood] [crosses fingers] So far I've only ever needed recovery once, but that was in an ambulance so doesn't count as failure to sort/work around a "mechanical".
One caveat though. I'm very much "a plodder". And I'm very comfortable riding in the dark too. I have to be at my pace. So what I carry isn't designed to be easy to eat on the move, nor is it high energy nor quick energy. Cycling for me is just a means to an end. The scenery is important, exploring new places is important, and enjoying the ride too. I sometimes try to keep my average speed up but it never lasts. I end up stopping for pictures, or to eat, or to chat. And my planned route seldom survives beyond the first few miles. I no longer with Garmin GPS routes to follow, just commit a list of place names to memory and get my paper maps out later in a ride to change things up a bit.
Good luck with your first 'Proper Century' though. So long as you don't put yourself under too much time pressure and just ride within your limits you should manage the distance no problem, and who knows? Maybe you'll even enjoy it. I certainly do. 10 to 15 years ago my riding was a constant repeat of the same three 20 to 30 mile routes four nights per week, always looking for a PR, always looking to raise my average speed. Now I measure my rides in miles and smiles, not pace and power, and the longer the ride I can fit in the better. Like I said, I'm a plodder, and not much of a climber at all. But I even relish the hills of North Dorset now, mainly because of the magnificent views that reward me at the tops of the hills.
My "kit list" may well be too much for you. So make yourself a kit list specific to you. Think about what you'll need to eat and drink to fuel such a ride and how you'll pack it. Then look at your bike, left side front to back, right side back to front, and list all the bits and pieces that are user-replaceable/repairable. Then take those spares with you, and the tools to fit them, provided you know how to do the jobs. Oh, and always take some cash. £20 is my minimum, along with a debit card and some ID just in case.
Snack all the way round, if you bonk and are very hungry it's more difficult to recover. I wouldn't recommend long stops- maybe just one 20 mins for lunch but otherwise keep rolling. It just feels tougher getting on after half an hour off!
Start steady and go easy on the hills. You can always pick up the pace for the last 10 or 20 miles if you still have plenty of juice in the pistons! Take more than one inner tube, a multitool and a lightweight packable rainproof (decathlon do a decent inexpensive one) but otherwise don't burden yourself with too much junk- it's only a bike ride and you'll be fine!
Start steady and go easy on the hills. You can always pick up the pace for the last 10 or 20 miles if you still have plenty of juice in the pistons! Take more than one inner tube, a multitool and a lightweight packable rainproof (decathlon do a decent inexpensive one) but otherwise don't burden yourself with too much junk- it's only a bike ride and you'll be fine!
A first time century ride is all about being conservative with regards to energy. Food and drink is the key ... little and often rather than taking large amounts of food at one time. I would limit stops to no more than 20 mins at a time .... otherwise you'll start to go into recovery mode and waking the legs up will be hard work. If the route is planned out, try and organise the stops with towns or villages so you can grab some food on route ... flapjacks, crisps, coke ... or something savoury as you'll probably get sick of sweet stuff.
Make sure you have carb powder in your drinks ... its an easy way to get the carbohydrate in without constantly eating. Make sure you have with you before you leave the house food to carry you way beyond your first stop. Taking food home doesn't matter, running out can be a nightmare. In terms of kit, 2 tubes, pump, patches, tyre boot, power link, chain splitter (on a multi-tool) ... that should cover most eventualities.
Make sure you have carb powder in your drinks ... its an easy way to get the carbohydrate in without constantly eating. Make sure you have with you before you leave the house food to carry you way beyond your first stop. Taking food home doesn't matter, running out can be a nightmare. In terms of kit, 2 tubes, pump, patches, tyre boot, power link, chain splitter (on a multi-tool) ... that should cover most eventualities.
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