2025 Ride the Rivers Century on October 4.
Last year, I knocked out the beginning of the route very easily because I got into a fast moving peloton. Getting started on time is critical for that. I want to do it again, if I can.
4:00 Shower, Shave, Dress 5:00 Leave House, Get Breakfast at McDonald's Tesson Ferry 6:00 Plan to Arrive 6:45 On-site Registration Ends 7:00 Rolling Start
In previous years, I have brought a USB power bank to supplement the battery of my bike computer. This year, I have upgraded to the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar, so I'm not at all concerned about battery life.
Indeed, the first century I used it on drained the battery about a quarter.
The Castelli Endurance 3 Bibshort includes their best chamois, their Progetto X2 Air Seamless seat pad. These are still my best long-ride shorts.
I have only ridden 1300 miles this year. Fitness-wise, I think I'll be okay. Endurance-wise, I guess we'll see.
This year, I plan to ingest a ton of energy gels. I think I am going to plan for one GU gel every 30 minutes, starting 60 minutes into the ride. Last year, my elapsed time was 9½ hours, so that's GU 18 gels. Let's call it 20.
Plus 2 pickle juice shots, it pretty well fills up my handlebar bag. Of course, I can transfer a bunch of gels to my jersey pockets.
Route (prelimnary): Ride with GPS: 2025 Ride the Rivers Century
There appear to be some big climbs. I need to look for the steepest ones.
The route looks very easy for the first 65 miles. I'll set a pace and just ride it. My priority during this stage will simply be to stay fed and hydrated.
The last third of the route crosses North County, and this is where most of the climb is.
Ride with GPS calls it 100.8 miles, but almost a mile of that is on the ferry.
Stops en-Route:
Mile 14.2: Black Walnut Trailhead
Mile 28.4: Grafton (rest stop)
Mile 44.1: Alton (rest stop)
Mile 61.8: Chain of Rocks Park (rest stop)
Mile 74.9: Jamestown Elementary (rest stop)
Mile 87.6: Sunset Park Trailhead