Tips needed for my first 100 miles.
- Thread starter Katherine
- Start date
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Ihatehills
Senior Member
- Location
- Cornwall
Good luck, I'm not yet at the point where I can imagine doing 100 miles, 50 is my next target.
Aravis
Putrid Donut
- Location
- Gloucester
I've signed up for my first ever 200km Audax that weekend, so expect storms.
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
@Katherine
Be careful with tablets in your drink, try them out first before the ride if you've not used them in the past.In the past when I used them I used to have a bit of a reaction- more time on the loo than the saddle!
Use any descents as an opportunity to stretch calves and thighs whilst still moving.
Move your undercarriage and hands about on a regular basis.
Carry sun cream in a jersey pocket.
Give us a good write up!
Be careful with tablets in your drink, try them out first before the ride if you've not used them in the past.In the past when I used them I used to have a bit of a reaction- more time on the loo than the saddle!
Use any descents as an opportunity to stretch calves and thighs whilst still moving.
Move your undercarriage and hands about on a regular basis.
Carry sun cream in a jersey pocket.
Give us a good write up!
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Oh yes, forgot this one!
Last edited:
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
A few other bits of advice ...
There are approximately 100 junctions on the 100 mile route. In theory (and usually) there is a marshal at every junction to point the way, but 3 or 4 times in about 6 Manchester 100s I came to junctions where no marshal was present. On most of those occasions I followed riders who knew the route and was ok. On one occasion though I went the wrong way and it took me 10 miles to get back onto the correct route so I did 110 miles that time! Ideally, have the route programmed into a GPS device just in case. If not, make sure that you don't follow the wrong people!
Some riders (usually young men in groups) ride very aggressively. I saw some stupid and nasty things - sprinting across red lights on very busy a-roads coming back into Manchester, name calling, and even bullying of motorists. Leave them to it. Don't sink down to their level.
I can't remember exactly where on the route it was, but a couple of times there was slurry on the road in front of a farm just after a RH bend. I saw one bunch go down in front of me and I nearly followed them. At least one rider ended up in hospital. Just bear it in mind and don't go full speed into blind bends, just in case ... (If you are 50+ yards back from a group and they get round ok, then you shouldn't have a problem. If you are in a group that gets caught out, then you probably will too.)
There are approximately 100 junctions on the 100 mile route. In theory (and usually) there is a marshal at every junction to point the way, but 3 or 4 times in about 6 Manchester 100s I came to junctions where no marshal was present. On most of those occasions I followed riders who knew the route and was ok. On one occasion though I went the wrong way and it took me 10 miles to get back onto the correct route so I did 110 miles that time! Ideally, have the route programmed into a GPS device just in case. If not, make sure that you don't follow the wrong people!
Some riders (usually young men in groups) ride very aggressively. I saw some stupid and nasty things - sprinting across red lights on very busy a-roads coming back into Manchester, name calling, and even bullying of motorists. Leave them to it. Don't sink down to their level.
I can't remember exactly where on the route it was, but a couple of times there was slurry on the road in front of a farm just after a RH bend. I saw one bunch go down in front of me and I nearly followed them. At least one rider ended up in hospital. Just bear it in mind and don't go full speed into blind bends, just in case ... (If you are 50+ yards back from a group and they get round ok, then you shouldn't have a problem. If you are in a group that gets caught out, then you probably will too.)
BrumJim
Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
- Location
- Selly Oak, Birmingham
If you are anything like me, the biggest problem will be in your head.
So the best advice I can be, is to get all your clothes and equipment ready the night before. Wake up, put the clothes on that are waiting, eat the breakfast that is already on the table, grab the bag of stuff and bike waiting for you, and head out to the start.
So the best advice I can be, is to get all your clothes and equipment ready the night before. Wake up, put the clothes on that are waiting, eat the breakfast that is already on the table, grab the bag of stuff and bike waiting for you, and head out to the start.
Louch
105% knowledge on 105
- Location
- Kingdom of Kinnard
Go buy a kinder egg, Eat the chocolate, give the toy away.
Fill the egg with chamois cream and stash in saddle bag/ pocket. Apply to chamois after about 70 miles. You will thank me for it
Apart from that, set goals for yourself as you go through, set when you plan to eat so you don't get caught hungry before a climb or technical part of route. if people start making conversation and are at your pace, stay with them, if they are slowing you down don't be afraid to say that you will see them at the end. Losing momentum can be hard to get back.
Bar that.....enjoy it! I haven't done a ton this year in a day, did 5 last year so feel I'm missing out.
Fill the egg with chamois cream and stash in saddle bag/ pocket. Apply to chamois after about 70 miles. You will thank me for it
Apart from that, set goals for yourself as you go through, set when you plan to eat so you don't get caught hungry before a climb or technical part of route. if people start making conversation and are at your pace, stay with them, if they are slowing you down don't be afraid to say that you will see them at the end. Losing momentum can be hard to get back.
Bar that.....enjoy it! I haven't done a ton this year in a day, did 5 last year so feel I'm missing out.
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
Same here
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
In addition to the wise words of others, my contribution would be to start as early as you can.
I get more done in the morning than in the afternoon, so find a long ride easier with an early start even though the effort is the same.
I get more done in the morning than in the afternoon, so find a long ride easier with an early start even though the effort is the same.
T4tomo
Legendary Member
Alternatively take a small tube or sachet of the stuff with you, unless particularly fond of kinder eggs e.g.Go buy a kinder egg, Eat the chocolate, give the toy away.
Fill the egg with chamois cream and stash in saddle bag/ pocket. Apply to chamois after about 70 miles. You will thank me for it
Apart from that, set goals for yourself as you go through, set when you plan to eat so you don't get caught hungry before a climb or technical part of route. if people start making conversation and are at your pace, stay with them, if they are slowing you down don't be afraid to say that you will see them at the end. Losing momentum can be hard to get back.
Bar that.....enjoy it! I haven't done a ton this year in a day, did 5 last year so feel I'm missing out.
https://www.mcconveycycles.com/chamois-butt-r-her-sachet-9ml.html?gclid=CMCP-KHX1c4CFU2eGwodIjcGjQ
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
If you ride in cycling shoes, but don't travel to the event in them, make very sure that you take them with you!
I did a 200 km audax ride from Cheadle once and heard a very frustrated cyclist at the start saying that he had forgotten to put his cycling shoes in the car. He had driven all the way from Bradford and then could not do the ride.
@arallsopp nearly suffered the same fate in his LEL. His good lady wife had to drive back home to get his shoes.
I'll echo most of the above.
My problem with my first ton was that I felt it was too far and I struggled mentally during it. All I'll say is don't worry, you've done 80. It's only 20 more, you can do it.
Remember that there is a gear on your bike that you can turn regardless of your tiredness. If you get tired, use it for a while....you'll be amazed how far you get!
My problem with my first ton was that I felt it was too far and I struggled mentally during it. All I'll say is don't worry, you've done 80. It's only 20 more, you can do it.
Remember that there is a gear on your bike that you can turn regardless of your tiredness. If you get tired, use it for a while....you'll be amazed how far you get!
