Lesson 31 - Preparing for Your First Cycling Event
🎓 BOOTY BUTTER ACADEMY Lesson 31 – Preparing for Your First Cycling Event
The countdown starts now!
Whether you're riding your first charity ride, gran fondo, gravel event or community ride, entering a cycling event is a huge milestone. It's natural to feel excited… and maybe a little nervous too.
Questions like:
"Have I trained enough?"
"What if everyone is faster than me?"
"What if something goes wrong?"
Every cyclist has asked these questions before their first event.
The truth is, your first event isn't about finishing first—it's about enjoying the journey, learning something new and proving to yourself that you can do it.
🚴 1. Choose the Right Event
Your first cycling event should build your confidence, not overwhelm you.
Look for events that offer:
✔ Multiple distance options
✔ Clearly marked courses
✔ Friendly volunteers
✔ Mechanical support
✔ Food and water stations
✔ A welcoming atmosphere
Remember, everyone starts somewhere.
📅 2. Train Consistently
The best preparation isn't one huge ride—it's several weeks of consistent riding.
Aim to include:
🚴 Two or three shorter rides during the week.
🚴 One longer ride on the weekend.
🧘 At least one recovery day.
Each ride builds your fitness, confidence and bike handling skills.
🛠️ 3. Give Your Bike Some Love
A reliable bike makes for a far more enjoyable event.
A few days beforehand, check:
✔ Tyre pressure
✔ Brakes
✔ Gears
✔ Chain lubrication
✔ Wheel security
✔ Bottle cages
✔ Lights (if required)
If you're unsure about anything, visit your local bike shop before event day.
🎒 4. Pack the Night Before
Avoid the stress of searching for gear on event morning. Lay everything out the evening before:
✅ Helmet
✅ Cycling shoes
✅ Gloves
✅ Sunglasses
✅ Water bottles
✅ Nutrition
✅ Spare tube
✅ Tyre levers
✅ Mini pump or CO₂ inflator
✅ Multi-tool
✅ Phone
✅ ID A calm morning leads to a calmer ride.
✅ Booty Butter
🩷 5. Comfort Is Your Secret Weapon
Hours in the saddle mean comfort matters more than ever.
Before every event:
✔ Apply Booty Butter Chamois Cream
✔ Wear your favourite bib shorts
✔ Choose clothing you've already trained in
✔ Avoid trying anything new on event day
The old saying is true: "Nothing new on race day."
🍌 6. Pace Yourself
One of the most common beginner mistakes is getting caught up in the excitement.
The event starts…
Everyone sprints away…
…and many of those riders slow dramatically later.
Instead:
🚴 Ride your own pace.
💓 Keep your effort comfortable.
⚡ Save energy for the second half.
A steady rider usually finishes stronger than someone who starts too fast.
💧 7. Eat and Drink Early
Don't wait until you're hungry or thirsty.
Instead:
💧 Sip regularly.
🍌 Eat small amounts every 30–45 minutes.
⚡ Keep your energy topped up throughout the ride.
Good nutrition starts before you think you need it. (We'll dive much deeper into advanced fuelling strategies in next week's lesson!)
😊 8. Enjoy the Day
Cycling events are about far more than kilometres.
Take time to:
📸 Snap a few photos.
👏 Thank the volunteers.
🚴 Encourage fellow riders.
☕ Enjoy the rest stops.
🏅 Celebrate crossing the finish line.
Years from now, you'll remember the experience—not your finishing time.
⭐ Coach Booty's Tip
Your first cycling event isn't an exam. It's a celebration of everything you've learned so far. Ride with a smile, soak up the atmosphere and be proud of every kilometre.
🎯 This Week's Challenge
Find an event you'd love to ride over the next 12 months.
Write down:
🚴 The event name
📅 The date
📍 The distance
🎯 One training goal you'll achieve before the start line
Sharing your goal with friends or your riding group can help keep you motivated and accountable.
💗 Remember The hardest part of any cycling event isn't the distance… It's clicking "Register Now." Once you've done that, every training ride has a purpose. Believe in yourself. You've already come further than you think.
💗 Ride Comfortable. Ride Confident. Ride Further. 💗
🎓 Next Week at Booty Butter Academy Lesson 32 – Fuel for Long Rides Advanced Nutrition Beyond the Basics
You've already learned the fundamentals of hydration and nutrition back in Lesson 14. Now it's time to take your fuelling to the next level.
In Lesson 32, we'll explore advanced strategies used by experienced cyclists to ride further, recover faster and avoid running out of energy when it matters most.
You'll learn:
🍝 How to prepare your body in the 24 hours before a long ride.
⏰ Exactly when to eat—not just what to eat.
🍌 How much carbohydrate your body can absorb each hour.
🧃 Choosing the best mix of real food, sports nutrition and electrolytes.
⚡ How to recognise the early signs of "bonking" and prevent it before it happens.
🥤 Recovery nutrition that helps you bounce back ready for your next ride.
Get your nutrition right, and you'll be amazed at how much stronger—and happier—you feel on every long ride. 🚴💗
