Tips for 1st century event

[Maniax]

I started cycling in March of this year. Sunday will be my first century event at the Engen. Do you oaks have some tips for me ito pacing, nutrition (on the road), water consumption etc?

['Dale]

Have a solid breakfast to fill up that tank.

 

Avoid dairy. It can make you wanna poo poo.

 

Start off steadily and see to increase your intensity for the 2nd half of the race.

 

 

Good luck!

[TopFuel]

• Try find a group that is a decent pace for you, and know when they're going too fast for you, cause you'll pay for it later.
  
• Avoid the temptation to go too hard and too fast at the beginning, cause it will catch up with you at >85km.
  
• Drink before you're thirsty, eat before you're hungry, and have a blast.
  
• Know the route, and plan which hills your going to attack, and which your going to suffer on and ride ahead of your group if you're a bad climber so that you can slowly filter to the back by the top.
  
• A century event is a lot of fun, and is not insurmountable. Take it steady and you'll be absolutely fine.
  

Edited November 4, 2013 by TopFuel

[Guest Latent Blue]

Take it easy at first. Rest on the downhills.

Change hand positions every few seconds

Make sure you stretch/move legs, arms and neck evey few minutes

Eat what you are used to...

[Maniax]

Thanks! good tips. i'll put them to good use...

[Maniax]

 

Make sure you stretch/move legs, arms and neck evey few minutes

 

 

Arent you moving your legs at 80rpm anyways?

[Guest Latent Blue]

Arent you moving your legs at 80rpm anyways?

 

true, but when i ride I will make a point of standing up and stretching my calves, unclipping and turning my ankles and rotate my hips...

it works for me... makes me feel fresh...

[Skubarra]

• Avoid the temptation to go too hard and too fast at the beginning, cause it will catch up with you at >85km.
  

 

No matter how many races I do, I still get this wrong from time to time. One of the hardest mistakes NOT to make, especially if you are not quite at the fitness level you are used to..

[Wannabe]

With this one you basicaly have no option, with Helshoogte right at the start. It is either try and stick with your group, or take it slow and hope that a new group forms on the way past Pniel (which almost always happens).

[Maniax]

With this one you basicaly have no option, with Helshoogte right at the start. It is either try and stick with your group, or take it slow and hope that a new group forms on the way past Pniel (which almost always happens).

 

The engen 109km doesnt go through Helshoogte. It shoots to Wellington, then to Tulbach (turning off to Riebeeck's castle). the bitch of a climb awaits just after.... and returning to Paarl on Malmesbury road

[Maniax]

true, but when i ride I will make a point of standing up and stretching my calves, unclipping and turning my ankles and rotate my hips...

it works for me... makes me feel fresh...

 

I'll try that. In a group riding the slip, this should work well.

[Wannabe]

The engen 109km doesnt go through Helshoogte. It shoots to Wellington, then to Tulbach (turning off to Riebeeck's castle). the bitch of a climb awaits just after.... and returning to Paarl on Malmesbury road

 

My bad, I read Burger instead of Engen. :blush:

 

Lots of time to warm up on this one before hitting the only proper climb on the route.

[Maniax]

My bad, I read Burger instead of Engen. :blush:

 

Lots of time to warm up on this one before hitting the only proper climb on the route.

 

yep! My thoughts exactly. The danger is riding to lekker at a brisk pace and cracking on the climb....

['Dale]

Maniax,

 

Should you get dropped by your bunch, do not chase after them. You can fizzle out like a cheap firecracker.

Soft pedal and wait for the next bunch.

 

*easier said than done in the heat of racing*

[Maniax]

will do!

[Maniax]

What a race! Thanks for the tips. It really help. Posted a time of 4:20 flat tyre and bonking included!

Dale I did what you told me not to do. Went chasing after my brother in law agter botties. While chasing all I kept thinking was 'cheap cracker, cheap cracker, cheap cracker'! Lol. By the time I got to them I was finished.

Took some recovery km's and formed a group with some other guys, till my father in law got a flat. Then it was just me and him for the last 15km.

 

But, it was good! Looking forward to the Burger!