“That Girl”

I’ve been on a variety of cycling-related trips (or I’ve turned non-cycling trips into cycling trips out of sheer desperation) lately. I’ve been to a variety of places, over vastly different terrain, and yet there is a common denominator – someone is always “that girl.” (To protect the innocent, and to make this appropriate for our women’s club, I will refer to “that girl” even when I really mean “that guy” – and I ALWAYS mean “that guy”).

Who is “that girl” you may ask? “That girl” is the one who shows up late to the ride when everyone else is waiting around FREEZING getting ready to start. “That girl” is the one who always has a flat tire and never has a spare tube. “That girl” is the one who left her helmet in the garage, her shoes on the back porch, her number at the hotel, and who hasn’t pumped up her tires since last October.

Now, I won’t pretend to be perfect. The bottom line is, we’re all “that girl” at sometime or other. Some of us are “that girl” more often than not. But I’d like to make it my mission not to EVER hear “that girl” as a reference to a Team Revver (or more preferably, as a reference to myself).
I started racing my bike when I was in college. I was “that girl” pretty much every single weekend. I never brought the right clothes, always forgot food, never had my license, you know how it goes. (Let me tell you – forgetting your winter jacket is something that NEVER happens again when you’re racing in 18 degrees and snow at OSU and you’re standing in a phone booth for warmth during the men’s race.) So I sat down and made a checklist. I put one copy on the back of my bedroom door, and one copy in my riding bag. That way I had to make sure I had everything before I left the house, and before I left the hotel. I was no longer “that girl.”
A lot of times it’s the simple things like this that help us avoid being “that girl.” However, sometimes a simple “my stuff” checklist is not enough. When you are going on a big trip there are lots of things to think about. In the risk of making every single one of my blog entries a list (I promise, I’ll be more narrative soon), here are some things to think about when going on a big trip or to a big race:
1. Food. What do you eat on the bike? Gu? Powerbar? Elete? Accelerade? (Instead of packing the entire container, find a good-sealing Tupperware container, and just bring what you need for the weekend). What is the time frame in which you have to eat? A ride with sag stops? Bring bananas, cookies, or trail mix. If it’s a long race, you need things you can eat quickly and easily. Gu, Powerbars, Clif bars, etc.

2. Extra bike crap. Although we don’t all claim to be mechanics (ya feel me, Big Ring?), there are some things you should have with you at all times. Even if you can’t do it yourself – you’re more likely to get help if you can supply the parts. My “must haves” include (a) 2-3 tubes – if you just have one and have a changing mishap, you’re in trouble, (b) an extra Panaracer tire – having to buy one at a local bike shop for $60-80 puts a damper on any ride, plus you have to find the bike shop, (c) a shifter cable and a brake cable – even if you don’t know what to do with it, you’ll be somebody’s hero someday, trust me, (d) lube and a rag, (e) another rag for wiping down your bike, (f) a universal tool – you want a variety of allen wrenches, a screwdriver, etc., and (g) extra co2 cartridges, if that’s what you use for a pump on rides. Now, if you want to take the extra leap and REALLY be prepared, I’d also have an extra chain (and chain tool), a chainwhip to take off a cassette, and maybe a spoke wrench (although I’m still trying to figure out what to do with that). I know this sounds like a lot. BUT – keep an eye on nashbar or performance – they have a $250-300 pro bike toolbox/kit that goes on sale for $99 pretty frequently. It has the good handled allen wrenches and all the other tools you could imagine. Toss a cable or two in there and you’re set!

3. A map, GPS, or some idea of where you’re going. Don’t just rely on everybody else. Know where you’re going. Know the bail out points if you need to bail out. Check the terrain. Trust me – any ride is easier if you know what to expect.

4. A working machine. CHECK YOUR BIKE AND WHEELS BEFORE YOU GO ANYWHERE. Is your chain rusting? Lube it. Are your tires all worn out and the threads showing through? Change them. Is your cassette an 11-23 and you’re about to climb mountains? Change it. Is your bike shifting properly? If not, fix it or take it in. Spend 10 minutes BEFORE you leave checking things over, and it will work wonders. Case in point – “that guy” got to the bottom of Clingman’s Dome over New Years Eve and hadn’t checked his bike. Both tires were flat. His spare tube was old and busted at the valve stem. In fact, his tires were too big for his wheel and had to be changed out (they blew off – no joke). Don’t be “that guy.” Or “that girl.”

5. Clothes. Check the damn weather. Overpack (we’re women, at least the stereotype works in our favor for this one). If you aren’t sure, bring it.

6. The agenda. Are you sleeping in when the ride starts? Did you need to eat at noon, but the lunch stop isn’t until 2:30? Figure out what the people you’re with are expecting so that you know what to expect.

7. The beer. If you’re waiting to buy your beer until Sunday in Indiana, you’re SOL. And we can’t have that.

I know that’s a lot to think about, but trips are much more fun when you’re not worrying about finding a bike shop, freezing your ass off, or pouting in the hotel while everybody else gets to ride. And now I better NEVER roll my eyes and say “oh…that girl” about any Team Revver. And you better not say it about me either.

-coco

Tags: coco, prepared

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