Post #4075301
2026-07-24 23:24 UTC
Replies (14)
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@ericm@infosec.exchange 2026-07-24 23:33
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social A4: depends on if it's an organized century or you're doing it on your own. Usually the organized rides have decent food and water support at rest stops. On your own you need to figure out sources of water and bring enough food. Or stop and buy some. As far as tools and parts I don't bring anything more than what I'd take for a regular ride- multi tool, spoke wrench, pump, tube and patches.
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@pws@social.coop 2026-07-25 00:17
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social This depends on many factors - how hard the ride is, the weather conditions, your level of fitness, whether it's a supported ride. A century ride with a mountain in it is completely different from a mostly flat route, or a ride in hot or freezing conditions. It really helps to build up to it so you can figure out your hydration and nutrition plans. That said, the only really long rides that have not gone well for me are the ones where I did not have enough food or water, or where my stomach did not care for food provided along the way, so I take more than I think is necessary. But if you haven't done some long rides, it's hard to know what you need. A supported ride with feed stations helps manage that risk. I try to avoid taking drink mix from feed stations or strange sports food that my body is not familiar with, but bananas and pretzels and other normal food I would consider fair game. Ideally I eat and drink only things that I have tried before. #BikeNite
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@morgan@sfba.social 2026-07-25 00:10
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social A4: previous replies about electrolytes, tools and spares are spot on, same with sunblock. Many people are not used to sitting and pedaling for longer than 6 hours, and the average, untrained person might be doing a 7 to 11-hour bike ride to do 100 mi. I'd recommend you consider which bike shorts you're wearing - if you're planning on wearing them - and if you are, to consider applying chamois cream before the ride. It reduces friction in the saddle area. If you are going to try it without padded bike shorts, something like 'Body Glide,' a product sold in the USA for hikers, applied to the same area, works the same way. One big difference between shorter, pleasure rides and 100 mile rides is that, for most recreational riders, they are operating at a calorie or hydration deficit, and they can get away with it on, say a 40 mile ride. Many long-distance riders have rules, audio alarms to remind them to drink, eat enough per hour. Start slow.
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@ajft@aus.social 2026-07-25 00:06
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social #BikeNite A4 snacks, money, spare tube. Depends where its going, long loop around suburban Melbourne is different to 160km over the mountains on country dirt roads Usually two water bottles although I ended up putting a third on the bike midway through a tour last year when I was having trouble finding intermediate water stops
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@jbrownesq@mastodon.social 2026-07-25 00:04
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social I used my jersey, of course, which had a good set of rear pockets, and I took ibuprofen, gu, a protein bar, 2 large sports bottles of water on the bike, 2 spare tubes, coffee shop caps for my cleats, tube tool, mini pump. Made it 103 miles on a 2007 lemond Zurich carbon fiber, up and down the mountains along highway 1 from Oakland to Santa Cruz, then to Boulder creek. 5.5 hours. I looooved this experience, its a highlight of my life.
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@ordinoides@kolektiva.social 2026-07-24 23:59
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social Assuming unsupported and you're on your own, I'd bring two water bottles, electrolyte powder packets, 2 or 3 high carb snacks, and have a route that includes 2 or more water/bathroom stops and a lunch stop. Bring phone and wallet. Apply sunscreen before heading out. Assuming you're riding a road bike with inner tubes, a patch kit and mini pump may also be helpful. Small bike multitool to do small repairs like tightening a loose bolt or slipping saddle. Make sure you have an alternative plan to get home if everything goes sideways.
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@geonz@mathstodon.xyz 2026-07-24 23:44
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social #bikeNite A4 Usually I'm doin' supported ones so ... two bottles w/ a mix of weak Gatorade and tea. Some Gu or PowerBars. I don't work hard enough to need a lot. Last week I learned tho... well, I was tellin' my Mom/Nurse math tutee "it was hot, I finished the ride, Rich had some electorlye stuff so I drank some down.." Unprompted: "You're supposed to just sip it!!!!!!!" Well, I know that now, it came right back up :P That stuff's too expensive for that!
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@MartyCormack@urbanists.social 2026-07-25 02:26
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social #BikeNite A4: For a century ride I bring what I always bring, a bottle with Gatorade, a bottle with water and at least two energy bars. But mostly I bring a ride plan with stops where I can purchase additional drinks and a place to eat a decent lunch. That's basically what I did today, riding 84 miles. But in addition, I did plan to stop at the pie shop in Whalen Minnesota.
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@geonz@mathstodon.xyz 2026-07-25 02:15
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social First century? FInd people to do it with ou :) Tho' my first was not like that :P I did it on my hybrid on my terms and Sean who rode by and encouraged... I had to find out who he was bcause he listened so well. (I started at earliest and fast people went by: you're doing what???)
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@gcvsa@mstdn.plus 2026-07-25 02:02
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social #BikeNite A4. A motor vehicle.
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@daihard@sharkey.world 2026-07-25 04:53
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social A4: First, I always carry the following no matter the distance: a multi-tool, air pump, tire repair kit, and a water bottle. For a long ride (50+ miles), I add an extra water bottle, a couple extra electrolyte tablets, and a few cliff bars. #BikeNite #MastoBikes
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@Kleen@sfba.social 2026-07-25 06:28
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social What everyone else said, plus, if you can believe it, fig newtons. Great energy boost, easy to get on the road, pack well enough if they’re not stale. As good as energy bars for less.
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@pete@masto.hypertelia.com 2026-07-25 07:53
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social A4 #BikeNite It depends sometimes on where and what terrain I’m riding but usually nothing different from a shorter ride kit-wise. If I’m heading into the wilds I’ll look to make myself as self-sufficient as possible with enough calories to see me through and be more prepared for any changes in the weather with layers and/or waterproofs.
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@sam@social.coop 2026-07-25 11:46
@ascentale@sfba.social @edd@freeradical.zone @bikenite@fedigroups.social this is my current goal as well (I've been thinking about doing the Silver Comet down to Aniston, AL in October then taking the Amtrak Crescent line back the next morning, I think it's like $20 extra to put your bike on the train if you or any #BikeNite folks want to go!) The longest ride I've done was 80 miles (also on the Comet). I just threw a change of cloths (in case of rain) and some basic camp food (I think I did mac and cheese, pop tarts, and some granola bars, plus a can or two of tuna) in my bag and called it a day. Probably should have planned more. I guess in addition I did have my usual under-saddle bag with a spare tube, some tire levers, and a multi-tool. Might have even remembered to grab a spare power brick for my phone (but I might not have). I didn't really plan all that much, which probably isn't great but is my MO for this sort of thing.