Here are my observations:
- Eat/drink banana and water before starting; I forgot and went out on a 24-hour fast. Very bad.
- stopped half way at a store and bought granola bar and tea with fruit flavor
- stretched/rested for @10 minutes when my 'shakes' finally ended, then continued.
- Hills are hard...I need more experience and the right pep music to keep my mind off the 200 lbs I'm pushing
- Stop half way for stretch/refreshment is always recommended in any situation
- Must have quality bike shorts specifically for gender and right fit; they are an investment very necessary
- Must have quality bike shoes specifically for gender and right fit; they are an investment very necessary. They feel as though they are doing all the work for you and you can enjoy the ride better.
- Wear quality sports socks for biking, the thick section will be on the 'heel' of the foot' to pad/protect the foot while peddling; I have common athletic anklets that have the extra padding on heel and the 'heel' of the foot (near the toes).
- Wear good bike gloves with the padding. Pay a bit and get them at bike shops; why have unnecessary/premature blisters if you don't have to?
- Have sunglasses on the neck rope ready when the sun rises
- Have music appropriate for your individual preference via ipod/mp player to take 'my mind off the 200 lbs' I'm pushing up hills. Make sure the music list are arranged correctly
- up hill I was listening to Celtic traditional...bad choice.
- when arriving/finishing, I heard Appalachian traditional hymn, 'In my time of dying...'. bad choice. This made my 'noodle legs' a laughing moment.
- In my mp player I have: Rap, Bluegrass, Kpop (my fave), Traditional Gospel with a lot of hand clapping/moves, Celtic is ok if traditional reels, but the 'passion/grieving' traditional songs are 'downers' when trying to climb, Bach piano inventions are wonderful, the cello suites have slower movements and can be 'downers', Early music, motets, European court dance music is great with strong rhythms
- Bike routes are not always appropriate; I have a commuting bike for concrete, the bike paths are for recreation and 'dirt/mountain' bikes as they are sand/gravel and did not work for me.
- Leave early to miss traffic
- I left before 7 am weekday; the traffic really got uncomfortable half way on 421 highway
- Next time I will leave 6 am
- Ride light in back pack.
- Plan a day ahead to have sufficient toiletries/clean dress clothes at work waiting on you
- The only thing in the back pack is wallet, keys, cell phone, good walking shoes may be good if you have to walk. Bike shoes are not conducive for walking.
- I had everything I needed at work except forgot hose and had to carry my work shoes in my back pack...it still worked and wasn't too heavy. I couldn't change at work and hoped since Halloween was coming/Friday, I'd get away with the drastic 'dress down'. Not recommended.
- Make sure you can store daily necessities in your work desk or have access to athletic shower/locker before work.
- Use 'shower in can' or sponge bath...be considerate of the work place.
