Having the right century training equipment should be a vital part of any good century cycle program.
Having the right kit can make or break your century attempt.
Having cycled numerous centuries in recent years I have discovered some invaluable tips and advice that can help make both your century training successful but also your race day go as planned.
Below I have set out some invaluable equipment tips to help you: 1.
Do a pre ride check This sounds like overkill but really you should do it.
I have been hurtling down a big mountain and the headset of my bike work loose.
Luckily I managed to stop in time however I have heard stories about others not being so lucky.
Think about it you will be riding sometimes in excess of 40 miles per hours with only about 2 square inches of rubber holding you on to the road.
As a result ensuring your bike is in great condition is vital to keeping you on your century bike.
2.
Invest in a good pair of cycling shorts Century shorts are a very good investment.
Being your major point of contact with the bike (along with the pedals and handle bars) it is well worth investing in a decent pair.
Try a few pairs before you buy to ensure you get the right fit.
Special century bike shorts often have slightly thicker padded inserts to improve your comfort.
In addition it is also a great idea to use anti bacterial cream applied directly to either your butt or the padded chamois in your shorts.
This will help reduce any swelling a stop the odd rash or chaffing turning into anything nastier like an infection.
Even if you are not getting sore on rides always use the cream.
3.
Heart Rate Monitors will change your riding Using heart rate monitors was probably the single most important advance in cycling training in the last 30 years.
These simple and cheap devices allow you to see at any given moment exactly how hard your body is working.
This allows you to control your training much more precisely to ensure you get the maximum performance and improvements out of your body.