I am planning to do a Lap Around Lake Murray (South Carolina) in October. The route is somewhere between 85 and 90 miles, so I can't exactly call it a Century, but it will be by far the longest one-day ride this fat old fart has ever attempted. I plan on leaving the little town of Prosperity around 6:00 in the morning on Saturday 10/17 (or 10/24 if it rains on the 17th) and poking my way around the lake, taking many rests (and pictures) along the journey. Between now and then, I welcome any and all tips, suggestions, instructions, anecdotes, warnings, and (most of all) encouragement from my Bent Buds here at RRSC.

I think I have off the 16th for State Teacher In-service training. Do you think I can get some personal technical training that I might be able to apply within my classes? My plan would be to drive there Friday, Ride Saturday and drive home Saturday evening.....

Lemme get this straight - you are willing to drive all the way up here from Florida (and I looked up Sebastian on my map - you're looking at over 450 miles' driving distance each way) just to join me on my lap around the lake? That would be (to use the younger generation's term) awesome, if you don't think the pace I would keep would be too agonizingly slow for you. I mean, turtles and snails would rocket past me (us) along the way - this is the first time I've ever tried anything like this, and my primary goal would be survival... and as far as training is concerned, there's probably several tons of stuff I could learn from you compared with the paucity of knowledge I could offer in return.. Don't get me wrong; you'd be enthusiastically welcomed, I just want you to understand what you'd be letting yourself in for. Compared with most of the folks on this forum, I'm a rank amateur, usually content with my little 12-mile commute three times a week.

Bill,
The fact that you would travel all that distance to support Nightturkey in his quest is quite admirable . Maybe there are some others that will join. It's a little far for me to join the fun but it would be nice to get a century done this year.
Good luck........

I hope you have a nice ride alone or with Bill.
I haven’t done such a long ride myself but hope to do some in the future.
I did go on a long walk in the mountains recently first evening it took an hour to get to the cabin. Next day we used 12 hours to get to the next destination we had some long brakes ate and enjoyed the scenery and took some pictures. The last day we had 7 hours of effective walking before we drove home. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sykkel-bent/sets/72157621857166815/
With finding the right pace you should be able to ride for a long time.
Since you start so early you should have good time to get around before it gets dark.
Having time to enjoying the scenery and taking pictures is good. You will also have time for resting and eating.

Peder

Man, I would LOVE to join that ride. The pictures Nightturkey has posted about his commute in SC leave me green with envy.

Dang it, now I'm ALL depressed!

Bill - I'll certainly understand if the school system keeps you from making the trip but by all means you are welcome to come and ride the rolling Carolina hills with me if you can get the time off - since you're a Floridian, I don't suppose there'll be too many snow days you'd have to make up later in the school year (har, har) - whereabouts is your cousin/nephew/whatever located? I can let you know how close we'd be to his home turf.
Peder - I plan on taking many pictures, if only to prove that I actually made the ride. Some of my "friends" at work don't think I've got what it takes to make it all the way, so I suggested that maybe I'd just go halfway around and come back. A few of them thought that was a better idea
And the rest of y'all - please feel free to ladle on the advice. What to pack, what to eat, what to wear, what sort of insect repellent/sunscreen combination works best, good snappy answers to the inevitable question, "Yer doin' WHUT?" (and its variations - the one I really hope to hear, and have a good comeback for, is "You're riding all the way around the Lake on THAT thing?")
Thanks, all - Keith

Are there less active insects now then in midsummer? This time of year the insects aren’t a problem here.
Insects are normally not a problem here when you cycle here but can be when you stop.
Are insects a problem in daytime this time of year were you live? I also suppose there is a big difference if there is a swamp area where you stop?
On this trip can you stop and get supplies then you could carry less on your bike and use less energy?
If you get one or more riders on this trip you can let them ride in front of you. Its easier drafting and you have someone to talk with and the ride will be easier.

Peder