The First 100K

BALSA

Hi all,

So tomorrow i'm going to attempt my first 100K cycle from Dublin to Wexford, I've been averaging about 70-80K in recent weeks and was just wondering if anyone out there had any tips to get me through the last 20K. Secret snacks you might take yourself in the final stretch of your cycles or motivational songs, anything thing at all no matter how random.....actually scratch that the randomer the better:D

Lumen

If you're in pain, stop for a couple of minutes and walk around. But no longer.

BALSA

Lumen wrote: »

If you're in pain, stop for a couple of minutes and walk around. But no longer.

Would that not ruin your whole focus on the bike? i think i'd find it hard after stopping to get back into the mindset of cycling a god distance if you get me

snollup

Just did my first 100k today. You prob would be best to break the trip, maybe aim for 60 - 70 then take a break before final 30 - 40. I found lots of water helped, oh and comfortable cycling shorts! Best of luck with it.

Captain Havoc

You'll know how your body is feeling, but I'm not a fan of stopping but I do what Lumen says. If I'm on a long ride I usually stop in a shop and get a sandwich but eat it standing up, sitting down can do more harm than good sometimes (try sitting down for 20 mins then go climb a hill straight away and you'll know what I'm on about). Also pace yourself, if you're on your own go at a comfortable pace. One mistake I'm very guilty of is getting into a group that's too fast for me or doing too much at the front when I'm not capable of stints at the front of some groups.

DualFrontDiscs

For me, cycling is all in the head. For sure, you need to have prepared properly and you need to fuel properly, but for me at least, it's all in the head.

You have to KNOW that you can do it. And if this is your first century, then you'll have to psych yourself up a bit for it. If you've achieved 80 before, when you get to 80, mentally reset the clock for an easy 20.

Good luck tomorrow.

DFD.

Jumpy

BALSA wrote: »

Would that not ruin your whole focus on the bike? i think i'd find it hard after stopping to get back into the mindset of cycling a god distance if you get me

No, if your back muscles seize up then a stretch is your best answer. Gritting your teeth and pushing through it only goes for exhaustion and lactic burn, muscle seizures need to be stretched out.

Best advice I can give is enjoy it.

BALSA

DualFrontDiscs wrote: »

For me, cycling is all in the head. For sure, you need to have prepared properly and you need to fuel properly, but for me at least, it's all in the head.
You have to KNOW that you can do it.
.

I think this is the best advice for me, i think ill take a break at the 80K mark and just relax, thanks everyone for the advice, ill post tomoro and let you all know how it goes!:pac:

xz

Captain Havoc wrote: »

You'll know how your body is feeling, but I'm not a fan of stopping but I do what Lumen says. If I'm on a long ride I usually stop in a shop and get a sandwich but eat it standing up, sitting down can do more harm than good sometimes (try sitting down for 20 mins then go climb a hill straight away and you'll know what I'm on about). Also pace yourself, if you're on your own go at a comfortable pace. One mistake I'm very guilty of is getting into a group that's too fast for me or doing too much at the front when I'm not capable of stints at the front of some groups.

Yeah, you cruel feckers, hill just after the foodstop today:p

Jumpy

xz wrote: »

Yeah, you cruel feckers, hill just after the foodstop today:p

Best possible hill location

furiousox

You'll be fine, if you can do 80k you can do 100k, just make sure you have a bit of fuel left to get you through the last 20 whether its gel, bars, drinks whatever.
It's more a psychological than physical hurdle and when you see that speedo hit the 100k mark for the first time...you'll feel good don't worry!:)

snollup

well, how did you get on?

DualFrontDiscs

+1

neris

i did my 1st 100 a few weeks back. similar to yourself was building up doing 60-80kms. Its in the head for the last bit. Ive found that dont tie yourself to time a minutes brek when necessaru and talking to yourself helps. Also knowing the route or parts of it helps.

nutzzz123

DualFrontDiscs wrote: »

For me, cycling is all in the head. For sure, you need to have prepared properly and you need to fuel properly, but for me at least, it's all in the head.

You have to KNOW that you can do it. And if this is your first century, then you'll have to psych yourself up a bit for it. If you've achieved 80 before, when you get to 80, mentally reset the clock for an easy 20.

Good luck tomorrow.

DFD.

I wish to God I could agree with you there. Ive run marathons, completed triathlons and completed sportifs but when the legs are gone, they're gone.

FISMA

If you can do 70-80K then you can do 100K, not much difference. In fact, the last 20K could be more of a cool down. 60 miles on a bike can easily be done in a sitting, unless, we're talking the Pyrenees.

Bring some Gatorade, eat some fruit. I like to stop and have a coffee and scone. The caffeine usually kicks start the second half of the ride.

PowerBar gels are great, as to are Cliff Shot Bloks.

At this time, you probably cannot go find these readily. Bring a banana and eat it, it will ensure you do not cramp.

Water is great, however, you will need to replenish salt and sugar as well. That's where Gatorade comes in - great stuff.

Just listen to your body, don't attack the first few hills. Midway through, see how you are feeling and then turn it up a notch. If you feel that you are strong in the last 20, go all out. Do a time trial and ensure you are burnt out by day's end.

Enjoy.

BALSA

Thanks for the advice lads, did the 100K and it felt weirdly easier than i imagined it would, even got an extra 5K on top, stopped at the 70K mark for about 2 mins just to eat. Thanks again for the advice...next step 120K:pac:

snollup

BALSA wrote: »

Thanks for the advice lads, did the 100K and it felt weirdly easier than i imagined it would, even got an extra 5K on top, stopped at the 70K mark for about 2 mins just to eat. Thanks again for the advice...next step 120K:pac:

well done.:D