This
is my first time in participating the century to the end. So this is a few tips
for the rider that have less budget but want to participate in this type cyclist
event from my personal experiences.
1.
Be
proud of your own bike.
It
can be demotivated seeing the other bicycles at the starting line but if you bike
don’t have popular brand such as pinerello, colnago, trek, giant and etc. keep
it in your mind that brands can determine the performance of the rider itself.
Keep this in mind set “it’s not the bike but it’s the rider itself”. Even though sometimes it help a bit if your
frame it lighter and tough in some situation.
2.
Training
is the key of success
Before
going to a big event as century ride that exceed 150 Km, you must train your
body to the fullest because you want to finish the route not just to drop out
in the middle of it. Without a proper training, your body and mind will not
last while riding then you want to quit. A strong body need a strong mind to
make the ride more enjoyable and fun. In my experience, I started to train 2
month before the event but still during the event my body also said, “bro, I think
we need to train more next time, quit sleeping at evening and ride more.” If you
cannot train the body, then train your mind instead, you can strengthen your
mind with reading books and watching some cycling materials on the net or library
to increase your techniques and skills then applied it while riding.
3.
Maintenance
before the event.
Check
your bicycles status before the big event and give your bike some loving. It must
be done 1 week before the event (to buy some parts that need replacing or
upgrading and give some time for the bicycles shop to properly prepare your
bike in time) then, check the bike again 1-2 days before the event days with
your own personal time. This is very important because during the event I saw a
lot of rider that had equipment failures and this will resulting their event
performance.
4.
Hydration
is crucial.
For
a long time riding (5-8 hours) you need prepare at less 2 bottle of water (or
more) for your hydration to prevent dehydration of the body that will result
cramps or heat stroke. Keep your water level enough so that it will not affect
the ride and the pleasure riding in the hot blaze sun. As for me, I did bring 2
water bottle and each of them was a mixture of 100 plus Active and water, for
me I water taste better with it and I did bring 500 ml of 100 plus at m back
pocket to combine with water after I arrive at the water stations (I hate the
taste of plain water that the organiser gave at stations).
5.
Food
and nutrition
Before
the race, prepare some food to eat during the race and it can help you a lot by
giving stamina and increase power. There are a lot of energy giving product in
market but you need find the right on for you. By participating the event, I did
get Powerbar product such energy bar and powergel, I also receive a local
energy bar called Moola (btw It taste great). I rather low on fund so all I did
brought were some Apollo Layer cakes, it was packet in small packaging so It is
easy to bring during ride and the taste was quite nice for me to digest and eat
(I wish I did bring more). The part that I regret was before going to the race,
I ate fried rice to boost my energy but I felt bloated during the early kilometre
because I think the rice cannot be digested yet so it affected my riding and
the earlier route consisted hills climb up and down. But after I reach the 80
km I got a lot of energy thank to that fried rice (irony). During the event, the organiser give out a lot of
bananas and I think that I ate a least 10 bananas during the event plus a tin
of Redbull to give more calories to burn a fuel for my ride.
6.
Riding
solo is good but riding together is even better.
If you
like riding alone it’s okay but on a big event like a century ride that you
exceed 150 Km on a single day it may be tough on your mind and body. The wind will
affect our speed performance and slow us down. Usually, in riding a partner can help to cover
us when we face headwind so it will make it easier for us to ride together. With
a partner or a group it can help to boost your spirit when riding along side
with them, and they can help you when you need assistance. For yesterday event,
I was riding alone and honestly, I think I was a little lonely riding along the
road that seem endlessly long and hot.
7.
Find
your own pace and keep it.
This
is very important, know your own limit and NEVER overdue yourself. If you try too
hard in the beginning, you will not finish the route. Speed meter or power may
come in handy to pace yourself. Don’t be intimidate by the other rider, keep
your pace but I know that sometimes I will take its toll on your mind if a lot
of rider passes you (be clam and stay relax). Yesterday, I saw a lot of rider
going full force in the first 40Km and drop out in in the middle of event later
on. Honestly, I did try to catch up to the lead pack but I gave up after a few
try because I don’t want to increase my pace more than my normal riding because
it can affect me in the later stage (I was right and regretted a bit).
8.
Music
can make a different
Music
and song can be beneficial while riding but pay attention to the road and surrounding
also. It okay to hear some songs while you out riding on your own because it
will lessen the loneliness or relaxing your mind. In a large event such as the
century ride, my advice to the solo riders is bring your mp3 player or use your
phone. What the time to ply it? DON’T Ever play use the earphone that will
cancel out the noise from the surrounding because it will danger the riders
around and yourself included. If you want to use it, only put it in one ear
because sometimes the other riders will warn you about dangerous road hazard
and you need to be focus to it. My advice is to use the mp3 when you are riding
alone (not riding in a large pack) and only when you reach about 70 Km and more.
Yesterday, I played my mp3 player when I pass the second water station at 80 km
because I need to find my rhythm and pace because it was a really hot and sunny
day plus my concentration was getting low and stamina was depleting.
9.
Cover
up your skin.
My
purpose was using arm warmers and long cycling pants to lower the risk of
dehydration and water lost from the body in a long term riding under the sun. I
was rather low on fund in this event so I went to the RM2 shop in my hometown
to buy some arm warmer for my hands and during the event, I used my old long
cycling pants. I’m not really a skin care fanatic but I want to take care of my
body also sometimes but I do like the tan from riding sometimes to show off my friends.
10. Don’t rest over 10 minutes when you
stop.
When
you want to take a rest stop anywhere along the route, find a shady place to
cool down a bit but never rest more than 10 minutes or your body will start cool down and It will hard to start riding
again. You must always refill you water bottles when you reach the water stations.
My legs started hurting when I reach the 130 Km mark luckily I brought a scarf
to wrap around my leg to minimise the pain and finish the event.
