In September 2021, just a few months after I started cycling regularly, a friend of mine invited me to go camping with her in Tobermory. She was going to stay for one night only and the following morning she was planning to run a half-marathon on a very challenging trail.
I thought it was so brave of her to do that so I decided to bring my bike and ride 40 km – double the distance I was riding back then. I had two weeks to get my bike ready and clothes to do my first long ride.
So here I explain which things I did to prepare for it and also share things that I could have done better.
Practice your bike mechanic skills
I mentioned in my previous post that I needed to learn some bike mechanic skills and get tools in case I wanted to go for a longer ride. All that came so handy now that I had the opportunity to actually go for a longer ride. So I carried with me my mini pump, inner tubes, a set of Allen keys, a set of tire levers, and C02 cartridges. I practiced a few times how to change my tires until I was super comfortable with them.
choose the appropiate cycling clothes
It gets quite chilly in Ontario around September, so I knew I had to buy some bike clothes that would keep me warm. At that point, I already had padded cycling shorts and a cycling jersey that I bought at my local bike shop. These clothes tend to be quite expensive but if you are just starting and don’t want to spend a lot of money, I’m sure there may be some things from Amazon that are good quality.
So I got a first layer, a pair of gloves, leg warmers – these are removable in case you get too warm, and a windbreaker. Most of these clothes I got them from Louis Garneau, which is a brand that specializes in cycling, triathlon, and winter sports. I like this brand because they have things from various price ranges, and I found it a little cheaper than the rest of the cycling gear brands. Back then I didn’t have proper cycling shoes, so I just biked with my running shoes.
Eating and drinking on the bike
Usually, I would bike for an hour max I never really brought food with me, so this time I had to bring something to eat. I carried with me two bottles – one with a hydration mix and one with just water. Bringing a hydration mix help to replenish electrolytes lost through sweat and can help prevent cramps. I also got two granola bars. These are great for a quick and convenient source of energy. I looked for bars that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat and fibre.
Check the route before you ride it
A really important thing to do when you do a long ride is to get familiarized with the route you’ll be riding on. This is one of the things I didn’t do. I have never been to Tobermory before and besides just checking the route on RIDE with GPS – which is a bike planning app, I had no idea how the terrain was going to be. I was riding my road bike and half of the terrain I was riding on was rough gravel so it was quite challenging. Parts of the routes were also loose stones, so I had to walk for a bit.
Complete the ride!
Once I completed the ride I felt so proud of myself – even halfway through it, I was just feeling so happy that I got to bike in such a beautiful landscape. For those who haven’t been to Tobermory, this is such a gorgeous place with clear blue waters and a rugged coastline, so it is definitely worth the visit.
When I was done riding my friend and I met right next to the lake and as soon as I saw her coming back we gave each other a big hug because we were so proud of ourselves. That feeling has stayed with me and that’s why I wanted to keep cycling and getting better at it.
Lessons Learned
Despite the great experience I had, I definitely realized that there were a few things I could have done better. So here are my some tips to get you through your first long cycling ride:
Build your endurance
Start by gradually increasing your mileage each week, and slowly increase the distance of your rides. I just jumped from 20 km to 40 km so I would definitely recommend being a bit more strategic with this.
Train on similar terrain
If possible, train on terrain similar to the one you’ll be riding on during the long ride. This will help you become more comfortable and confident on the day of the ride. Tobermory is hilly and had a lot of gravel. The places I usually ride are flat and pavement so probably I should have one my first long ride in a similar terrain from what I’m used to but it was so worth it though!
Fuel your body
Make sure you’re eating a healthy, balanced diet that’s rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and fats before the ride, and bring enough food for the ride. I definitely run short on this so this is something I should have paid more attention to it. Also, make sure to stay hydrated before, during, and after your rides. Bringing a bottle of water and a bottle of a hydration mix is super important.
Get your bike checked
Make sure your bike is in good condition and get it checked by a professional mechanic before the long ride. This will ensure that your bike is safe and functioning properly.
Dress appropriately
Wear comfortable cycling clothes and shoes, and consider the weather conditions you’ll be riding in. You may also want to consider wearing padded cycling shorts to reduce discomfort during the ride.
Plan your route
Familiarize yourself with the route you’ll be riding on and plan rest stops and food breaks along the way. This is so so important! Otherwise, you would end up like me, riding on gravel with a road bike and walking the bike.
Mental preparation
Long cycling rides can be mentally challenging, so it’s important to prepare yourself mentally. Visualize yourself completing the ride and focus on positive thoughts.
And the most important thing: ENJOY THE RIDE!
