Fortunately the ride is supported.
It all started when I was 14 and my Aunt bought a house out in the country and I had the is harebrained ideas to ride to see her. Everybody told me it was too dangerous and I would get run over. On TV cross country rides seemed like all they required was time. What did I know.
I never went, and by the time I got a car I was out of cycling. Meanwhile a cycle club formed and people started doing this ride and I was oblivious to its existence.
When I became aware, life was too busy and I was slowly getting more and more out of shape.
a few years ago even though I had been playing hockey an thought I was in shape, when I got on my old mountain bike I almost coughed up a lung on a slow ride to the end of the road. I cought the cycling bug though because of the technology, and started building what I think of as resto-mod vintage bikes and riding by myself and eventually drag gin my wife into weekend coffee runs on the road bikes I built.
Then I crashed, dislocated one shoulder and injured the other, broke three ribs and ruptured a lung.
Last year, still not back up to full strength and in my 50s now, my aunt dies and I start feeling too mortal. At the last minute I committed to the ride without realizing what I was getting into without much training. I survived and made a stop at her old place and her grave on the way back.
(I'll add to that adventure later, but this year I already feel more prepared just with the tips I have received so far in this thread, All I will say right now is that last year I made it... sort of).
This year I was busy, life was too hectic, winter weather has hung on too long with a very late spring, and I thought there was no way I would do this again especially now that I know what I don't know about pain. It seems though that this year at the last minute I got pressured into it (Actually well intentioned people were just asking innocent questions but I translated that into pressure to sign up, so here I am).
QUESTION:
How long should I stop for at the lunch stop?
It is a supported event, with a morning water stop, a lunch stop where I can buy sandwiches and drinks, and two afternoon water stops in the hills where there are also convenience stores.
A lot of people seemed to linger at the lunch stop. Since I was riding alone I had no idea what to do there other than eat, so once I scarfed back a couple ham sandwiches and that was all over I felt silly just hanging around the park in a crowd by myself so I started riding again. Meanwhile some people were fast asleep on the grass.
I feel like I should be starting a go-fund-me site for this year but instead of money I'll take advice
