I try to have everything ready in advance -- I pump my tires at home, fill my bottles, eat my breakfast, I'm dressed (except helmet, shoes, and gloves), and have everything I plan to take on the bike with me (cell, camera, ID, food) ready in one place. Then I just need to get out of the car, put on my shoes, helmet, and gloves, get the bike off the car, and go!
Registration for some events can be a lengthy process, even if you're pre-registered. Plan to stand in line. Give yourself at least 15 minutes for this process. And don't forget that you need to get from the parking area to the registration area, so it may take a little longer than you anticipate. Be patient, you'll soon be on the bike!
Pee! Yep, especially for those of us who drink coffee in the morning, you need to plan time to pee. Depending on the bathroom facilities, this can also be a lengthy process, especially for women. Again, plan on at least 15 minutes. Even better, avoid the lines and stop somewhere on the road before you arrive at the ride.
So, all told, if you're planning to meet a group at a given time, I'd recommend you plan to pull into the parking area about 45-60 minutes before that. Yes, that might seem extreme, but I'm never late for meeting a group. And afterall, riding 100 miles with friends is so much more fun than riding alone. It's definitely worth the extra effort in the morning.
