A checklist of gear you won't want to forget on that 100-miler
By Jeff Nachtigal
Active.com
Jim Gensheimer/Allsport
You can be sure there will be piles of bagels and bananas at every pit stop along your century ride, but you’ll want a few more things to get you comfortably through the long day. A checklist of the most important items to remember:
Socks: Cycling specific (thin, non-cotton) socks help prevent hotspots or blisters (just like long hikes, long rides can give your feet grief).
Cycling shoes: Tennis shoes might work for short rides, but they were built for walking, not pedaling. One spin in a pair of stiff-soled cycling shoes will make you a believer, and you can still walk in cycling shoes! Mountain bike shoes are built to be comfortable on and off the bike; super-stiff road-specific shoes give you the best power-to-pedal ratio.
Jersey: A cycling jersey wicks moisture away from your skin much better than a T-shirt, plus it has pockets for that extra banana. These days jerseys sizes range from a racer’s “cut” to much more relaxed fits that won’t show every wrinkle in your torso. A cycling vest is also a great addition to your arsenal, if it’s cool outside.
Padded shorts: A must for any long ride. Nothing comes close to raising the comfort factor than a chamois (the pad) between you and your saddle. Go for the eight-paneled version; they fit best. And while you’re at it, pick up some chamois cream to rub in before the ride, it will help soften the pad and keep it supple. A word about saddle sores: With any luck you won’t have trouble, but if you do and you’re still on the road, one band-aid method for making it to the end of the ride is Vaseline, which comes in handy small tubes. Hopefully the chamois and plenty of training miles will have thickened your skin already!
Long tights; rain/wind jacket: Check the forecast, and if there’s any chance of cool or wet conditions, bring plastic — and leg gear. A clear raincoat costs under $20 and will keep the wet off your back, as well as keep you warm if the temperature drops or the wind kicks up. Bring a pair of tights, or consider a pair of leg or knee warmers, perfect cool-weather leg protectors. Use an old toe-clip strap to attach things under your seat or to a bag.
Cycling gloves: Unless you’ve already got calluses on your thumb joints, wear gloves! The pads will save your hands from falling asleep due to road vibrations, and in the unlikely event of a crash will save the skin off your palms, too! Another hint for hand comfort: Double-wrap your bars with cork handlebar tape to ease the “road noise.”
Sunglasses: The western sun is a tough ball of fire to face without a pair of sunglasses. Any drugstore has a rack full of wrap-around shades, the best type for cycling because they shield your whole eye.
Bike: You’ve put in the miles, packed all your gear, rested up for the big century; the only thing left to do is wheel the bike out of the garage and go, right? Almost. Your bike deserves a final tune-up and cleaning before hitting the road, and it will run oh-so-much smoother with it. If you’re not up for adjusting gears and brakes and polishing the drivetrain, this is the time to spend a little on a professional tune. Hint: Don’t adjust saddle or handlebar height the night before the big ride! It’s important to ride the same bike (i.e. no changes) you’ve been training on, or you might risk injury.
Helmet: They won’t let you ride without it. It’s easier to adjust your straps and generally make the helmet sit comfortably on your head in front of a mirror, instead of standing over your bike. If it’s shaping up to be cold, a cycling cap (cotton, with a little brim — what professional racers wear)under your helmet will keep your head much warmer.
Water/energy bars: Two bottles, for sure. Or consider riding with a Camelbak hydration system, which allows you to carry lots more liquid in a backpack-type container. About energy bars and those high-falutin’ drinks: These types of high-carbohydrate fuel can work great, or can make your stomach turn the first time you try them. Make sure to experiment with particular brands in training before using them on the big ride.
Basic tool kit, patch kit, extra tubes, pump, and Knowledge: An allen wrench (at least 4, 5, and 6mm,) and a hex wrench (with 8, 9, and 10mm) are the two basic tools you’ll need to make adjustments on your bike. Consider an all-in-one tool such as Topeak’s “Alien” to cover all your bases. For flat-tire repair, bring at least one new tube (two if you have room), tire levers, a pump, and a patch kit for when the spare tube punctures. And know how to use your tools! Ask a friend or your mechanic for a quick tutorial, or your tools will be worthless when you get stuck on the road.
Sunscreen: It won’t substitute for bike lube, but skin cancer is out! Don’t forget the back of your neck.
Lightweight camera: Pictures tell a thousand stories, and make your century-ride bragging rights that much better. Use high-speed film (400 or 800) so you can shoot while riding.
Beer (or Mexican food) money: You’ve earned it!
P.S.: You did schedule a massage appointment for the following day, right?