2016 Cap2Cap Ride (Richmond and Williamsburg), Saturday, May 14, 2016

@Judd 138962 wrote:

Sunscreen. Also centuries are way more fun when riding with a group/partner so bring one of those or form one from like speeded individuals from the forum. Being able to chat it up distracts the mind from saddle fatigue in my experience.

^ Agreed. Except, I would use sun sleeves instead of sunscreen. They are awesome.

Flat centuries are the worst, though. Neither your legs or your butt ever get a break. So hopping in with a group definitely helps. I did a century in Hillsville, NC (not aptly named, since it was incredibly flat) a few years ago and after dropping most everyone on the ONE hill that was there, I finally got in with a good, like-paced group and had an awesome time pace lining with them and chatting.

If you use it (and even if you do not), bring extra chamois cream. Chamois Butt’r makes little packets (in fact, I may have some leftover from SM100 that you can have) that fit in seat bags/top tube bags. Mustard packets or rolls of Tums are great cramp busters, and I usually carry those with me on longer rides. And Aleve, because by the end of it, you will probably have some aches from just being on the bike for that long.

You are in much better shape than you think you are. You crushed Monster Cross, so I think you will be just fine. And if all else fails, just set your goal for the next aid station. Riding 20 miles is a lot easier for your brain to comprehend than 100. 😎

Main problem I have had doing centuries is numbness in the foot caused by SPD pedals. Less of a factor if you’re using road pedals or maybe campus pedals so you can switch off, but it just seems things want to go numb after a while (hands, rear, etc.). So I tend to change riding position a lot and stand up some even when there aren’t hills. I pretend that helps. Walking around a bit would probably be good, but I just can’t seem to stop when there’s riding yet to be done.

We have a plan to ride the entire trail this summer but not during the event. Have to figure out how to do it with the dog trailer since that’s too much for him (and me). Think it’ll be a tag-team thing, and perhaps we’ll start in the middle and go one way, then back so that we can quit if it doesn’t work out.

@Amalitza 138973 wrote:

also chap stick.

There’s chap stick in every toolkit saddle bag on every bike as well as in my top tube snack bag and every bike jacket or backpack pocket and in every room in my place. Plus one at my desk and a few spares in my top desk drawer. Got that covered…:cool:

As of yesterday they haven’t posted the aid station locations but it’s good to hear/read that they’re plentiful.

Thanks for all the tips and words of encouragement!

I plan on being there and riding the century. I’m driving down in the morning. Will be on a black and blue Trek Madone with Freezing Saddles slap bracelets on it.

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@AFHokie 139574 wrote:

I’m riding the century on the black Revolt with green bar tape; jersey selection will be weather dependent.

Hey! I think maybe consularrider and I were eyeing your bike at the pit stop at mile 64ish (low 60’s, it’s all a blur). Did someone ask you if you were riding a mountain bike? (that was not me, I just over heard it – we were facing you but in the shade of the building.

Wait. Actually I think it might have been the pit stop at mile 50-ish.

@Tania 139657 wrote:

Hey! I think maybe consularrider and I were eyeing your bike at the pit stop at mile 64ish (low 60’s, it’s all a blur). Did someone ask you if you were riding a mountain bike? (that was not me, I just over heard it – we were facing you but in the shade of the building.

Wait. Actually I think it might have been the pit stop at mile 50-ish.

I get asked a similar question about my bike on just about every organized ride I participate in.

I was wearing a Smithsonian jersey. If the bike was also leaning against a telephone pole guy wire it was me.

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Several of us from team #blokes-broads-bikes-and-brews completed the Cap2Cap Century, and sorry to have not checked in on this thread ahead of time. I was in too much of a frenzy pre-ride.
The Century wasn’t as flat as it looked at first glance as my Strava says I climbed 1200+ over 100.4 miles. The headwinds were a significant factor, and reminded me of Seagull Century and Bike2Beach-like conditions. The queue sheet horizontal layout rendered it useless, but the road signage was phenomenal so I didn’t miss it. The rest stops were well stocked. And the trail made for some great segments.
We picked up a newbie Centurion, Michael (red jersey), at mile 75ish and he rode with our pack until the next to last pit stop (where I lurched ahead of @BillChoi, rub, rub). We caught up after the ride to commemorate his accomplishment with a group photo.

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