Base Requirements

* All riders must ride with a helmet.
* Bicycle in excellent mechanical condition, appropriate for this type of ride.
* Headlights and taillights. Though this ride starts early, it’s also late in the year, so the sun goes down earlier. If you aren’t sure how long it will take you to finish this ride, you must bring lights.
* Cycling-appropriate clothing for ride weather conditions.
* Water bottles. The ride will feature pit-stops for refilling and refueling, however riders are expected to provide their own water bottles. Bring two.
* Fix-a-flat equipment. The ride is supported, yes, but it will be much easier for you to change your own flat than wait for our support crew to show up and do it for you.

For the Ride

This was written by Swarm!er Matt! regarding a Double Century, but the guides are applicable for you folks going out on your first century as well.

1. Read the website so you are familiar with the route, rules, etc.
2. Get enough sleep on Friday night. This is more important then Saturday night.
3. Start with full bottles and a little food in your jersey pockets.
4. Start with warm clothes, that you can shed easily. The temperature difference between 6am and 2pm can easily be 30 degrees. A vest and arm warmers is usually adequate.
5. Have your lights sorted. Make sure your batteries are fresh. Also carry a tube, a pump and a patch kit.
6. Don’t hammer from the start! I still make this mistake. When I rode the triple century my first 100 and 200 miles were PR’s. I paid for it later.
7. Eat something every hour. No matter what. Not eating/drinking enough takes out more people than lack of ability. The ride is well supported with 5 checkpoints with bars, fruits, PBJ sandwiches, etc. Eat your money’s worth. Always put a bar or fruit in your jersey pocket for between check points.
8. Stay focused. When you get tired your efficiency drops, but less so if you are mindful of it. Over 200 miles the difference between a 12 MPH pace and 14 MPH is 2.5 hours. Don’t think about your finish time, but what you are doing at that point in time to keep your pedal stroke, etc efficient.
9. Ride with others at a similar pace. Pacelining saves energy and increases motivation.
10. Don’t hang out at checkpoints! Do as we say, not as we do, right? Swarm! has a reputation of chillin hard and wasting time. It adds up fast.
11. At this point, it is all mental. Plan to spend the whole day on your bike and look forward to being able to do so. Malibu is beautiful and it’s effect on you will change with direction, light, feelings, etc. Take it in. There will be mental ups and downs; this is what life is about.
12. If you’ve been riding, which I know most of you have, forget about the physical part. It’s a spiritual journey (to quote Morgan Goat Beeby). Compare it to running: A sub four hour marathon is a tough physical endeavor, but walking 26.2 miles in one day would not be difficult, if given the time. You’ve got the time for this ride, so do not stress on the physical component.