Tips for first century ride, likely rain
I’m 42 and last year after my dog passed away I picked biking up and haven’t stopped since. I’ve been cycling regularly and am finding that I love long rides on country roads.
My parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in a week and a half and we are having a family vacation at the beach (I live in Indiana), and I decided to attempt my first century ride on the way out to the beach.
I found a route in Virginia on Ride with GPS that used to be for an annual cycling event, and I’m looking forward to exploring different terrain from Indiana. It has an option at mile 70 to cut back 5 miles to the start to cut the ride to 75 miles, if I don’t feel I can make it the last 25. Total elevation will be 7000ft. Currently the max I’ve done is 4000 ft elevation in a single ride (that ride was 50 miles), and the longest ride I’ve done is 65 miles. So I know this is going to be a challenge, but I’ve set aside the whole day to complete it, so I’m not going to be in a rush and will make sure to pace myself.
The main thing I’m concerned about is the rain. The ride is set for 9 days from now, and the app “Epic Ride Weather” is showing that for my route I can expect light to moderate rain for the first 1/3 of the ride and the last 1/3 of the ride. The temperature will be in the low to mid-60s in the morning and low 70s in the afternoon, so I don’t think there’s any concern for hypothermia.
But I’m looking for advice on how to manage—I ended up biking in the rain for 40 miles at the beginning of last week in the late night (trying to get as much training in as possible), and it was fine, but my wet feet were pretty uncomfortable by the end.
Should I take an extra pair of socks/gloves/jersey to change into once the morning rain is done? Is there a way to have the wet jersey drying on the back of the bike while riding?
Before starting the ride, should I stash a change of kit off the side of the road somewhere along the route where I should be when it’s dry during the ride to change into?
There’s no threat of lightning, so I’m planning to do it rain or shine—I just got fenders this weekend, so that should help. I guess any advice also on how to mentally be ready to handle this kind of weather would be welcome!