{"id":202929,"date":"2025-09-30T06:02:43","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T06:02:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=202929"},"modified":"2025-09-30T06:02:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T06:02:43","slug":"preparing-for-my-first-100-mile-ride-the-gear-and-navigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2025\/09\/30\/preparing-for-my-first-100-mile-ride-the-gear-and-navigation\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for My First 100-Mile Ride \u2013 The Gear and Navigation"},"content":{"rendered":"

A century ride isn\u2019t just about having the legs for it. Spending eight or more hours on the bike pushes not only your endurance but also your equipment, your comfort, and your ability to navigate. When I started preparing for my first 100 miles, I realised that my setup, from position on the bike to navigation, could use improvements. Here is what I did to give myself the best chance of completing the challenge.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Bike fit<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I never considered paying for a bike fit. I didn\u2019t think I needed one. Sure, on longer rides my hands would hurt, my traps would tighten, and my lower back would ache, but I assumed that was just because I wasn\u2019t riding regularly enough.<\/p>\n

Then it dawned on me: if I\u2019m about to ride more than double my longest distance so far, those little niggles could turn into real problems. So, I booked a bike fit.<\/p>\n

It was an eye-opening experience. It turned out my saddle was too low, and my handlebars needed to be closer and higher. On paper, these were only small changes, a few centimetres here and there, but the difference was revolutionary.<\/p>\n

Before, I\u2019d often hold the tops or the corners of the bars, only putting my hands on the brakes when needed. Not only is that unsafe, but it\u2019s also a clear sign I was too stretched out. After the fit, I felt comfortable riding on the hoods, hands naturally resting on the brakes, and my whole position felt more relaxed and stable.<\/p>\n

A new saddle<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Another revelation came with the saddle. I had been riding the same racing saddle from 2015, with no cut-out in the middle. It forced me to arch my lower back to avoid uncomfortable pressure in my crotch.<\/p>\n

The bike fitter suggested a modern saddle with a central cut-out. Instant game-changer. I could suddenly sit into the saddle, keep a neutral spine, and actually relax.<\/p>\n

Combined with the bike fit, it felt like a whole new bike and a whole new, more comfortable me.<\/p>\n

The right clothes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re riding for an hour or two, you can get away with almost anything. But on an all-day ride, clothing quality matters.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where I decided to spend extra:<\/p>\n