For folks new to the area...
The Prouty, coming up on July 12, is the biggest local cycling event of the year. It is a fundraiser for the Dartmouth Health Cancer Center. There are now many ways to participate, with cycling being the original and most popular. There are road rides from 20 to 200 miles, a gravel ride, and two mountain bike rides. All are fully supported by an amazing crew of volunteers.
Prouty Bike
Dartmouth Health / Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Prouty Ultimate(200 mile 2-day ride)
Dartmouth Health / Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
For many local riders the Prouty is their first century, or their longest ride of the year.
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If you are planning to try your first century, or a big ride that pushes your limits for distance, here are a couple of suggestions:
- Pace: It's hard to start a big ride at the correct pace. You've trained, you've prepared, you're excited, and you want to go go go! Resist that urge. Start slowly. Ride the first couple of hills a gear or two lower than you normally would. Keep telling yourself "I'm going to be out here all day" and pace yourself accordingly. You'll be amazed at how far you can go if you don't try to be fast.
- Fuel: Eat and drink enough. Carry food you like so that you can eat between the official stops. One of the first indicators of underfueling is mood -- if someone who is normally upbeat starts being cranky, they probably need to eat.
If you like numbers, a good starting point is 350 calories/100 watts/hour
- Friends: Having someone to ride with can be a huge boost, both as a drafting partner and as moral support. If you don't have a riding buddy, you may find one on the course. You can ride with other folks at your chosen speed, latch on to a group that's a bit faster, or form a group of your own.
- Fun: Don't be so focussed on the distance that you forget to enjoy the whole experience. You're out with hundreds of other cyclists! People are cheering for you! Volunteers are there for you! You're doing great! Enjoying the here and now will make the miles pass much more easily than staring at the numbers on your computer.
PeterB