100 Mile Club - Flat / Hilly / Mix

supermurph09

Hi

In 2 weeks time I'll be completing an 80 mile Sportive which has 2400m of climbing. My next goal will be to complete my first 100 mile ride. I've been looking at a route from where I live in Derbyshire to Skegness, with a bit of tweaking it'll be 100 miles. However 80% of it is almost entirely flat which at this point feels like I might be cheating. My normal rides, 30,40,50 miles are always very hilly so that's what I'm used to. I'm sure achieving the 100 miles will feel great, but I wondered what others had done and whether they choose an easier route for their 1st time.

Cheers

alihisgreat

No reason to not choose a flat route.. just push the pedals harder on the flat

pride4ever

My regular 100 miler takes in Holme Moss, The Strines, Winnats Pass and The Snake pass. Its not for the faint hearted but I do centuries on flatter terrain also so no reason to feel like your cheating.

supermurph09

Thanks guys. Weather permitting Winnatts pass is on my radar for next weekend. Any tips?

elderone

100 mls is 100 miles and when I attempt my first 100 I wont worry if ts hilly or flat.In fact I will pick a route that maximises my chances of success.So enjoy your ride and crack the 100.
Good luck.

sloppyschleckonds

Remember, on a hilly route you could go twice as fast on the descents to make up time

rolf_f

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Remember, on a hilly route you could go twice as fast on the descents to make up time

It doesn't work like that.

To the OP - flat is fine and it can be harder than hilly. What you should do is be open minded about the exact date and think twice about doing it when there is an Easterly blowing. 100 miles of flat, into a strong headwind, is far more horrific than 100 miles with 6000 feet of climbing. If you did do the ride into a headwind, you certainly wouldn't need to feel like you cheated.

Sensibly, you go when there is a tailwind. That would be fun - still 100 miles but an easy 100 miles. And there's nothing wrong with that.

djm501

What's been said above.

Be very afraid. What do you do once you've done a hundred miles?

100 miles with 6000ft of climbing.

150 miles...

10000 ft of climbing etc. etc.

long distance achievements can be addictive. Enjoy.

pride4ever

Supermurph09 wrote:

Thanks guys. Weather permitting Winnatts pass is on my radar for next weekend. Any tips?

Have a break before you attempt it lol and dont feel bad if you walk it on your first go, you wont be the only one lol. Good luck man.

supermurph09

djm501 wrote:

What's been said above.
Be very afraid. What do you do once you've done a hundred miles?
100 miles with 6000ft of climbing.
150 miles...
10000 ft of climbing etc. etc.
long distance achievements can be addictive. Enjoy.

I can imagine that's quite true, I'll look forward to it!!!

Rolf F wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Remember, on a hilly route you could go twice as fast on the descents to make up time

It doesn't work like that.
To the OP - flat is fine and it can be harder than hilly. What you should do is be open minded about the exact date and think twice about doing it when there is an Easterly blowing. 100 miles of flat, into a strong headwind, is far more horrific than 100 miles with 6000 feet of climbing. If you did do the ride into a headwind, you certainly wouldn't need to feel like you cheated.
Sensibly, you go when there is a tailwind. That would be fun - still 100 miles but an easy 100 miles. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Wind is not something I ever consider although in fairness I often get home wondering why it was in my face all the way!! I'll check it because its a very good point, no break on the flat really.

pride4ever wrote:

Supermurph09 wrote:

Thanks guys. Weather permitting Winnatts pass is on my radar for next weekend. Any tips?

Have a break before you attempt it lol and dont feel bad if you walk it on your first go, you wont be the only one lol. Good luck man.

I'll give it all I've got!!!

Guanajuato

Supermurph09 wrote:

Thanks guys. Weather permitting Winnatts pass is on my radar for next weekend. Any tips?

Tried it as a teenager on a 5-speed 'racer'. My advice - walk up the old main road round mam tor and go from the top. Don't think I had to pedal until Hathersage.

Bullet1

As Greg Lemond one said.....it never gets easier - you just go faster!

Hills or flats - same applies

supermurph09

Hope you weren't affected by the avalanche at Winnatts pass! Article in Single track.

wheezee

My first (and only) 100 miles was on the flat. But I was too slow, it got dark, my Garmin went flat and I got lost. Then it started raining. I thought I was cheating when I started out, but by the end, it really didn't feel that way.

diy

Did my first 100 miles on the mtb with 13k ft climb in mud. Whatever route you choose you can make it count as its really your achivement and only about you. You can always do it again but try to be quicker as the next challenge. The one I do every year i am doing 2 hours quiker than the first time. its just as hard and still as enjoyable.

supermurph09

Did the sportive, signed up for a another sportive in Loughborough on the 5th May. Distance is 100 miles, thought I'd take advantage of someone else's organisation.