Banded Krait

I completed my first century today. It was a solo, self-supported ride of 102 miles. I had originally signed-up to take part in an organized century (the Three Creek Century in Harrisburg, Pa.) this coming Sunday, but a cold front blew through this past weekend, and when I saw the forecast for today, I realized it was for near-perfect cycling weather, and I decided to go for it on my own. I am glad I did.

It was a glorious ride. The temperature ranged from 68 degrees through 73 degrees, with extremely low humidity (the dew point was 44 degrees). It was sunny most of the time, with a deep blue sky and puffy white clouds. The only down side to the weather was that it became a little windy, and on some parts of the ride I was battling 14 mph headwinds.

I utilized all the tips I learned in this and other sub-forums here on BikeForums. I ate before I was hungry and drank before I was thirsty, and I was surprised at how strongly I finished. I defintely was tired, but I wasn't completely wiped out.

Now I can check this off my cycling "bucket list".

My only regret is that I was so concerned about managing my food and water that I couldn't figure out a way of carrying my camera. It was a very beautiful day riding along the Schuylkill River on the Schuylkill River Trail where I conducted the ride, and I would have liked to to have taken a couple of snapshots to remember it by. Oh, well--I'll have to get a small carrying bag of some sort before I tackle my next century.

stapfam

Unsupported solo is not the ideal for the first century but you did it. That is the first hurdle over with so now it is up to you.

Something about that first distance ride so well done and try to get the camera working for the next one. We have to know what Pie was had.

BluesDawg

Well done.

Now, get your camera and go do it again.

doctor j

Good job, B K. Managing fuel and fluids for a long ride is a critical aspect of success, and it sounds as if you got it right. Congratulations.

fat biker

Banded K!

Well Done!

Jeff, still fat

10 Wheels

Great Effort.....get some rest.

lhbernhardt

I carry a small Fujifilm XP compact in my back pocket on all my rides. It works well enough for snapshots, and I've gotten some quite nice photos (stuff I would never have got off a phone camera) at good resolution. The advantage of the XP is that it is waterproof. I used to carry a Canon compact, one of the old ones when they still had viewfinders, but condensation from body heat got into the LCD display and killed it. The Fujifilm easily survives that, plus the odd drop. Being one of the latest generations of digitals, it's also very thin, so it can go in the same pocket as some of the food. But if you are a real photographer and need a camera with a viewfinder, you're on your own!

Luis

Banded Krait

Thanks for the tip, Luis. As I mentioned, this was a self-supported ride, so my jersey pockets were full with my food for half the ride. I arranged my route so that at the midway point I arrived back at the point where I had parked my car, so I could re-stock my food and water. There was simply no place to carry a camera. I plan on buying a small bag in the future so I can carry a camera during these long rides.

islandseas

Congratulations on your century.....I also do most of my rides solo and so far my longest ride has been 45km.....I'd love to try it in a group when I've built up some more time on the bike and lost a few more lbs. I have a little container from MEC here in Canada that fits between the stem and the top of crossbar....it doesn't get in the way and I can fit my little camera and my cellphone in it.....pretty handy. Karen

JanMM

You'd have to get a recumbent to carry a camera like I do. My very small Canon hangs on a short neck strap and rests - inside a small neoprene case - on my lower chest/upper abdomen, which wouldn't work if I weren't reclined. I don't take a lot of pictures but it's ready whenever I am. I can shoot one-handed while riding, too, but cannot guarantee the quality of the image.

Congrats on the Century!

Mort Canard

B.K.
Well done on the solo century! You should find group centuries a breeze now.

When you are looking for a carry pack do not scrimp on the size. I am a firm believer in Grant Peterson's suggestion that you should be able to carry a heavy sweater and a couple of pounds of broccoli on your bicycle. You never know when you might run across a roadside fruit & veggie stand and want to carry some back or come across a find on the side of the road and want to pack it back. A larger pack also gives you the opportunity to tote along some rain gear and a more complete tool kit. I don't usually load the bike up all that much but I like to be able to carry as much as might be wanted or needed.

volosong

Well done. Next step ... double metric century, (124 miles).

bikeme

Good job! I just did my first century in 10 yrs. last saturday. I'd only did a 58 miler prior to it, so it was a great feeling. Congrats to you!

jppe

For tours I use a small bento bag that fastens to the top tube and steerer. The one I have has a flap with velcro that keeps the camera from jumping out. I can easily reach in and grab the camera and take pictures while I'm riding. You can find them for $10-$20 depending on the manufacturer, style etc. hint-I use small piece of tape on the straps on the top tube to keep it perfectly positioned in the upright position. Otherwise it tended to slide slightly to one side. I put the tape on the bottom of the top tube so it's not visible. The entire installation takes seconds.

Congrats on the century!

If hadn't left my new Nikon camera with 18x zoom in a golf cart I'd still have it......Only time I ever really used it was on Ride the Rockies this year.........

az_cyclist

Good Job, bandedkrait.
Jann, where was that pic taken?

OldsCOOL

Congrats on the first century! Feels good, doesnt it? Mine was just like yours, solo/unsupported/clear/cool/windy.

The only let down was coming back into our small town (a biking mecca of sorts) I'd expected both sides of the street lined up and cheering. Oh well.

JanMM

That ride originated in Metamora, in southeastern Indiana. Lots of scenic hilly roads.

az_cyclist

I have been to Metamora (isnt the canal there?). The pic reminded me of Monroe and Owen Counties.

JanMM

Yes, I saw the canal for the first time. No canal in Monroe or Owen counties, but lots of windy country roads and some steep hills, some of which will be on the Hilly Hundred route a month from now.