Arrive early Saturday morning - even if you've dropped your bike off on Friday, there is always a line-up & josling of cars trying to get into Exhibition Place. I also like to arrive early so I don't feel rushed no matter what happens - and to me, it's kinda nice to see it all come alive. On minute it's quiet with just a few riders and then suddenly, almost instantaneously, it comes alive with hundreds of riders. There's also a continental breakfast you can partake of - and the latter you arrive, the longer the line up is - although it moves fast.
Make sure you bring some kind of identification with you - I always carry my driver's license & my OHIP card with me (just in case). I also bring $20 me - but I've yet to use it. Again, it's just one of those precautionary things. There is a store at camp where you can buy R2CC logoware and other memobillia of the Ride. Bring sunscreen too. This may sound silly but if you prone to having your nose run when your cycling, bring extra kleenex!! I know last year, by the end of day 2, kleenex was hard to find - finding sunscreen was easier (lol)
If you a photo taker, be sure to bring a camera - there will be lots of moments you'll want to capture. There is a professional photographer who'll be taking photos as well, but he can't be everywhere. I've brought my camera every year - this is my 4th Ride - and I've never regretted it.
I'm sure if you read thru this site, you'll find lots of tips - and hopefully someone else will pick up where I left off
Have a fantastic ride! Enjoy every moment. See you on the route.
Wear a pair of comfy shoes when you show up to drop off your gear. Depending on where you park, it may be a hike. Change into your bike shoes (if you have them) right before you give them your stuff.
As a 6th year ride, the other suggestion I can give is to relax. Take several deep breaths and enjoy the moment.
I always see people running around like a chicken with its head cut off in semi-panic mode. Relax.
If you need to, make a list a day or two before of each of the things you need with you for Saturday morning, and set it all aside the day before. I use a small grocery bin to keep all my cycling gear in one spot - shoes, gloves, headband, ID, money, phone, helmet, bottles, energy bars, etc.
Then, on Saturday morning, I know that everything I need is in the bin.
When you arrive don't rush to get ready to ride, check in if you haven't already, grab your breakfast, chat with other riders and enjoy. We don't ride until after 8, so if you arrive at 6:30 it can be a long time standing in your bike shoes (like I did my first year!). After breakfast grab your bag, change into your shoes, and get ready for a great ride. There are mechanics on site for last minute bike issues if required, but they can be very busy, so I'd suggest putting a pump in your trunk to fill your tires.
Don't carry too much on the ride, there is food every 30 km's, so a few energy bars are plenty for the day, you can pick up fruit, cookies, energy bars, gatorade, and first aid at all the rest stops.
Last but not least, bring a few shopping bags and elastic bands friday to bike drop off so you can cover your seat and handlebars in case it rains or a heavy dew, some years they have them available, sometimes they don't. Better safe then riding all day on a wet bike seat!
