Another Century Ride Thread

Teece

I know there are hundreds of threads, posts and websites about doing your first century ride, but I really want to hear from my fellow beginners who have attempted 100 miles. What was the experience like? How did you train? What did you eat the week before? What did you eat during the ride?

The longest ride I've done so far is 75 miles at 14.0mph. I've been riding road bikes for almost exactly 12 months.

My century ride is on 30th September. Please tell me your experiences!

Also, if I manage the 100, am I still a beginner or should I move up to the Road General section?!

simona75

I've been riding for a few years but have never attemped a century. I'm going to do one next Sunday hopefully (though may put it on hold is weather is cack). My plan has involved...

1. Trying to do one 70-80 mile ride a week on top of the usual 30-40 mile blasts.
2. Getting better at pacing myself over longer distances - I still burn too much energy in the first 50 miles, especially on the flat
3. I have planned for two good sized flapjacks, 2-3 gels plus fluids as required (extrapolating what I eat over 70-80 miles)
4. I will just have a big pasta dinner the night before and some porridge in the morning
5. I'm not planning on any serious riding in the 3-4 days before, just some short spins.

I've been told that if you can do 75-80 then 100 is not too much more of a struggle.... we shall see!

StillGoing

Less than 12 months averaging easily less than one ride a week. 50 years old at the time, unfit and slightly overweight thanks to a sedentary job and medical issues. Oh and crap at hills. My rides are mainly at the weekends where I go for nothing less than 40 if possible and try to be around the 50 depending on what time I have. Did a couple of 60+ in that time and one week just decided with a buddy that it was time to achieve one of our goals; a true century ride so miles not kms. To be honest it was no harder than the big 60+ rides. Legs felt a lot easier the next day but I did have a slight discomfort in one small area that would've have deterred me from riding the next day.

Slow the pace down, stand as often as you can, refuel regularly and drink plenty. If you're already doing rides in the 70s you'll easily do a 100 mile ride.

Gizmodo

I'd been riding 11 months when I did my first imperial century. I upped my riding to 3 times a week and managed 2 x 80 mile rides before the big day.

I set off determined to join a group for shelter, but I picked a group that were too fast and the first 20 miles I did at 19.5mph average. At that point I stopped to fix a puncture and therefore chose not to stop at the first feed station. Come 50 miles I was shouting at myself to keep going and I was truely exhausted.

I stopped at the 2nd feed stop and slowed down for the next 15 miles, so when the hills at 88 miles started I'd actually got my 2nd wind and felt quite good - even my ar5e didn't hurt any more :shock:

Anyway, finished the 102 miles in 6 hours 50 min, 16mph average which is what I was looking to achieve. I was surprised how good I felt the next day.

I didn't eat anything special the day before. Breakfast cereal in the morning, a banana at the start, 6 gels because they are convenient to eat on the move, and some cake at the food stop.

Teece

Thanks for sharing your experiences, guys. I feel a lot better now - the reading that the organisers sent was well scary!

If I get near Gizmodo's 16mph I'll be well chuffed!

StillGoing

It isn't difficult. I tried to stay within zones 2 and 3 obviously going into the higher zones when climbing. I totalled 103 miles in 6:25 with no stops. Did all refuelling while moving and just my cycling buddy for company so no group relief. The time isn't brilliant and the young fit ones would most likely scoff at my feeble efforts, but I was doing it for myself and not to impress anyone. Your biggest barrier will be your head.

B.M.R.

I've got my first century ride tomorrow, 100 miles of Essex countryside await.
I've been cycling regularly, done some fast shorter sessions, sprints, hillwork etc.. and did 78 miles a couple of weeks ago, and since then I've tapered off. Had a crazy week with work this week so didn't get out on the bike at all, but I'm not worried because a) I'm competing against no one but myself, b) the weather will be dry and not too windy, and c) there are three stops including the middle stop having a full buffet (!). So in my head its just 4 25 mile rides. My target is under 7 hours (including any stops for food/toilet etc..) and that's probably VERY conservative.
As long as you pace yourself (don't go off too much at the start!) and keep hydrated, like others have said the biggest battle is with your own head. Keep positive, enjoy the ride, and believe me, when you get within 5 miles of the finish you'll suddenly find you have a new pair of lungs and legs.

declan1

I haven't done a century yet, but my bike doesn't exactly help me. I did a 70-miler split in two (with a two-hour dinner break and some rally-driving in a field inbetween) and that was really hard work. I suppose it also depends on how the terrain is. I was constantly climbing. Also, I did that a couple of weeks after I got my road bike and now I know it wasn't adjusted very well at all for me. I've sorted that now

jagx400

Doing my first century on October 13th. Doing it for charity with 4 others. Luckily we will have a support vehicle to get the bikes (and us) back.

I have done 2 60 mile rides and a 71 miler, with no trouble, so feel able to do the ton. My training is commuting to and from work totalling 18 to 20 miles a day 5 days a week and 40 to 50 miles on a Sunday.

B.M.R.

Did my century today - my one big piece of advice post-ride?

RIDE IN A GROUP.

Seriously, if you aren't in a group of mates as a pre-agreed group ride, find a group and stick with them.

I soloed it - the first 25 flew past as I tagged onto a group. Second 25 miles were harder but by latching onto groups I managed it ok. Third 25 I started off alone but got a large group behind me. I booted it up to about 19/20mph (I cruise at about 16 as I'm not the fastest) and made (what I think) was a good show of "taking a turn" for about 5 minutes. They all then overtook me and I latched onto the back of the group, thinking "I've done enough to keep with them and not feel like I'm taking the p*ss". Trouble is we hit a t junction and just as I got up to turn a car came, I got left, and couldn't catch them up again.
Last 25 miles were on my own, and my goodness it hurt, lots of climbs, wind in the face, lots of cursing from me.
Basically I still had puff in my lungs but my legs had nothing left, and every climb seemed to take forever.

If I'd been in a group, it would have been easier (about 25% if I've read the science of group riding right).

So yeah, try and avoid riding solo, particularly into the wind.

Chuffed I finished it though.

StillGoing

You don't need a group. It has the advantage that you can have a rest and be pulled along, but a 100 mile ride isn't any worse than 60/70 miles in my experience and is easy enough done with a mate or solo. If you have a group fine, but don't put it off if you don't. Just go for it and relish the achievement at the end.

dennisn

philthy3 wrote:

It isn't difficult. Your biggest barrier will be your head.

I wouldn't go so far as to say it isn't difficult. I've met very few people who have said, in all honesty, that they were ready for more after a hundred miler. For the vast majority of riders, from newbie to racer, 100 is plenty for a day. In other words, you'll be ready to get off your bike. As for your head being the biggest barrier, I would somewhat agree, but I have never really resolved the fight between my seemingly two brains. One telling me to "keep pedaling" and the other saying "oh, you can coast for a while". I know the keep pedaling one is the one to listen to but the other makes so much sense, at least every now and again. You'll make it. Just don't worry about speed or time. If, at 75 miles you feel the need to back off a bit, back off, regroup yourself, have a drink and a power bar and get back to it.

Teece

B.M.R. wrote:

Did my century today - my one big piece of advice post-ride?

RIDE IN A GROUP.

So yeah, try and avoid riding solo, particularly into the wind.

Chuffed I finished it though.

Well done, and thanks for the good advice. I will certainly try to get involved with a group although never having ridden in one before I need to make sure I'm not putting any of the other riders in danger!

Today I did 65 miles at 14.9 mph and I was very very glad to get off the bike afterwards.
Haven't had a beer for 8 days and am really missing puddings but I've already lost 3lbs this week!

B.M.R.

Hehe, I wouldn't say my advice was great, but in the hazy hours after the event its the main thing I took away as strategy for the future. You don't NEED to get in a group, but I found when I was it helped both physically and mentally.

TheEnglishman

The only worry I've got with mine is the 6000 feet of climbing. I think it's going to hurt.

StillGoing

dennisn wrote:

philthy3 wrote:

It isn't difficult. Your biggest barrier will be your head.

I wouldn't go so far as to say it isn't difficult. I've met very few people who have said, in all honesty, that they were ready for more after a hundred miler. For the vast majority of riders, from newbie to racer, 100 is plenty for a day. In other words, you'll be ready to get off your bike. As for your head being the biggest barrier, I would somewhat agree, but I have never really resolved the fight between my seemingly two brains. One telling me to "keep pedaling" and the other saying "oh, you can coast for a while". I know the keep pedaling one is the one to listen to but the other makes so much sense, at least every now and again. You'll make it. Just don't worry about speed or time. If, at 75 miles you feel the need to back off a bit, back off, regroup yourself, have a drink and a power bar and get back to it.

The "it isn't difficult" is a reference to getting close to the 16mph average mark.

kayakerchris

Getting in a group.

A lot depends on why you ride. I like to be alone, thinking to myself, looking at the countryside, etc. I actually dislike sportives with several hundred people.

the key to long distances is regular small stops, continuous nutrition and continuous hydration. 200 miles in 13 hours was hard and I was tired but just steadily kept going.

StillGoing

kayakerchris wrote:

Getting in a group.

A lot depends on why you ride. I like to be alone, thinking to myself, looking at the countryside, etc. I actually dislike sportives with several hundred people.

the key to long distances is regular small stops, continuous nutrition and continuous hydration. 200 miles in 13 hours was hard and I was tired but just steadily kept going.

Everyone is different; I did it with no stops, not even a roadside pee and felt fine other than the aforementioned discomfort from the saddle.

englander

I just did my first century ride. It started out as a 60 miler but thought that my legs were still good to go for another 40, so I stopped at Morrisons, bought a multipack of KitKat Chunkies and proceeded merrily! I did it solo, with regular short stops. My actual time spent riding was a shade under 7 hours but in real time I was out for a shade under 8 hours. The pretty much ideal conditions (just the right temperature and very little wind) really helped my motivation to go the extra and I'm very pleased with myself for finishing it (And a little sore!)

paultheparaglider

Gizmodo wrote:

Anyway, finished the 102 miles in 6 hours 50 min, 16mph average which is what I was looking to achieve.

The arithmetic doesn't seem to stack up. I make that 14.9mph. I only noticed because I also did one at the weekend in just over 6 hrs that worked out at just over 16mph.

bobtbuilder

I guess I must be different to most people - I find 70 miles a good distance that I can usually do with no prep, but beyond 80 is a real struggle. I don't know if it's a nutrition or a pacing issue, but my legs get leaden around the 80 mile mark. This has happened on all the century rides that I've managed.

Any thoughts?

simona75

bobtbuilder wrote:

I guess I must be different to most people - I find 70 miles a good distance that I can usually do with no prep, but beyond 80 is a real struggle. I don't know if it's a nutrition or a pacing issue, but my legs get leaden around the 80 mile mark. This has happened on all the century rides that I've managed.

Any thoughts?

I was in a similar position. I regularly ride 70 milers on my own so decided to go for a century when I was off on Tuesday (was going to try it in a sportive but thought Id give it a go on my todd while the weather was good). I just had to maintain a slightly steadier pace than normal for the first 50 to ensure I had something left in the tank and took a bit more food with me than normal. It was hurting at the end but not much more than at the end of a 70 miler.