How long did it take you to do your first Century?

[Jiffer]

And how long had you been riding before you decided to do it? Was it a pleasant experience or dreadful?

Any tips, advice, comments. :)

[RoadRaven]

Hi there, my first century was a metric century... (100kms)

It took me just on four hours

I did it with my partner and son and it was a milestone I wanted to reach.

This year I want to do an imperial century... (100miles)

[crazycanuck]

Do you mean 100km or 160km? I don't work in miles...

If you're talking about 100km it takes me about 4hrs & a smidgen bit. It's not that hard as long as you think about how much you're drinking & eating per hour.

I've never actually done just a 160km ride. I did do a 100km off road ride this year & a 200km ride a few weeks ago though. The 100km off road ride is all uphill & it's all in your head!

My suggestion would be to pick up a copy of Nancy Clark Guide to Sports Nutrition[U] as it gives great examples of foods that give you the 50g of carbs/hr you need to keep going.

I guess what i'm trying to say through all my babble is think about what you're eating & drinking, pace yourself & don't worry about time. Just go out there and ride.

If you can do 100km you can do 200km. I'm still pondering the idea of doing another 200km soon but on easy off road trails. I do have the urge to do a 300km ride..
C

[7rider]

DH and I just did a metric century (100 km; 62 miles) in 3 hr. 50 minutes. It was wonderful - a lot of fun - but hot. Start early if it's a Show-and-Go and if you are in a hot area! That was my 2nd "official" organized metric ride -- I've done that distance several times before, or more, but not as part of an advertised metric.
My first ever full century (160 km; 100 miles) was about 7 years ago, and it was incredibly flat and I did it in 5 hrs. 20 minutes (yes, I still remember the time!). Weather, injuries, and general conditioning have never let me beat that time since then. Beginner's luck, I guess.
The full centuries (other than my first) I specifically rode with that ride in mind - so I opted for long rides on weekends and when I could. The metrics were both kind of spur of the moment things.
My tips:
Ride lots before the ride. I would guesstimate that you should be able to do at least 2/3 the advertised length before the ride to finish it with any confidence. There's a lot to be said for the distractions of an organized ride - the people-watching, the rest stops....all help to make the miles go by more quickly.
Speaking of...Rest stops are always good, but don't spend too much time at them, or you will tighten up and lose the motivation to keep going.
Pace yourself. It's not a race and if you burn yourself out in the first 20 miles, the experience will be dreadful.
And the biggest of all: have fun.

[Veronica]

Is your question how long to ride it or how long to train for it?

V.

[Fredwina]

believe it or not, I had been riding for 8 years before I did my first one. I was on a 75 miles with some friends, we made a wrong turn, and decided to make a 100 miler out of it. So I'm not much help there:o
It sounds you've just been done shorter rides on your own. I'd try and work in some longer rides over appropriate terrain.
Also, Registration for the Amtrak Century is this Friday. I'd think that would be good local one. Tour De Palm Springs is a another. I've also heard good things about Cool Breeze.

[lauraelmore1033]

I just completed my first century yesterday with Dh, and I have been riding since last March or so. I'd been training fairly seriously (for me) since Feb. Wasn't as bad as I expected while I was riding, but when I stopped, I noticed that there was not one thing on my body that didn't hurt. After a couple of good meals and a good nights sleep, I don't feel any worse than I would after, say, a good, hard 35 mile ride. The ride itself took us about seven hours and 20 minutes (average mph of 13.5 mph). That entailed reigning in the pace on the flats when we really wanted to fly and pushing it on the climby bits when I wanted to lag.

[Mr. Bloom]

I got my bike on March 27.

Within two weeks I did my first metric century (and my knees hurt for a month after that)...averaged about 15.5mph on a flat, but very windy, beach road.

Two weeks ago, I did my first full century at the Horsey Hundred and averaged 14.9 mph on a very hilly route. With breaks, we took 8 hours.

In my metric century yesterday with SilverSon, I crossed 1,000 miles on my odometer.

[HoosierGiant]

Got my bike at the end of October 2005, but didn't do much riding that winter -- Indiana weather plus newbie-ness equals not many miles. Really started riding in April of 2006.

First century (100 miles -- well, actually 101.26 miles, but who's keping track?! ;) ) was the Sizzlin' Century in Kokomo, Indiana in August, 2006 (7:07 ride time). 16 mph headwind from mile 48 to mile 71 just about killed me! All that time I'd been counting down the miles and then the tenths to 71 miles, but there was nothing but open road at 71. Hey, where's my SAG? What do you mean that freakin' detour added a mile-and-a-quarter to the course? And no one consulted the first-time century rider? What were you people thinking?! So, we had an extra bit of hell before the church came into sight. (A rather fitting edifice for a SAG, huh?) A few more miles into the wind after that, and then we turned south for some smooth sailin'! We did between 18 and 20mph for a good deal of the way to the next SAG at 87 miles, and I knew that finishing was not going to be a problem. Afterwards, grabbed some food, chugged my quart of chocolate milk (best recovery drink around), and was good for the two-hour drive home. Man, was I wired! Unload the truck, take a shower, bounce around the house, "Let's go dancing!" (Well... not that I can... but I sure had the energy to.) Talk about an endorphin-high!!

Rode my first metric century, Stride 'n Ride in New Castle, Indiana, (practically in my back yard) at the end of that September -- 6:04 ride time under very windy conditions... on a course that was designed to include most of the major hills in this part of the county. Enough already!

Having come from a background as a long-distance runner, and having completed several marathons, there's always that desire to go further, faster. The bike is the perfect solution for my middle-aged, non-running self!

The three best pieces of advice I can give? Put in the miles, put in the miles, put in the miles. And work on that mental toughness -- that's what will get you through the inevitable stretch when you feel like whale puke on the bottom of the ocean, and then all of a sudden you're feeling so good you swear you could eradicate world hunger, illiteracy, and AIDS single-handedly. Oh, and make sure you stay hydrated and take on enough fuel. And try to make your first attempt at that distance in the company of others -- with a friend or on an organized ride -- that way there's plenty of activity, conversation, etc., to occupy your time and help the miles fly by. (Well now, I think that was actually six pieces of advice. :) )

Set a goal and work toward it! We are women of the 21st century, and there's nothing we can't accomplish!!

[Kano]

The three best pieces of advice I can give? Put in the miles, put in the miles, put in the miles. And work on that mental toughness -- that's what will get you through the inevitable stretch when you feel like whale puke on the bottom of the ocean, and then all of a sudden you're feeling so good you swear you could eradicate world hunger, illiteracy, and AIDS single-handedly. Oh, and make sure you stay hydrated and take on enough fuel. And try to make your first attempt at that distance in the company of others -- with a friend or on an organized ride -- that way there's plenty of activity, conversation, etc., to occupy your time and help the miles fly by. (Well now, I think that was actually six pieces of advice. :) )

Set a goal and work toward it! We are women of the 21st century, and there's nothing we can't accomplish!!

Thanks HoosierGiant!

Except -- I don't think I wanted to know that when I do this thing some day, I'm going to feel like whale puke at some point.....

Karen

[Aggie_Ama]

I got my first road bike May 24, 2004. Did a 50 mile ride in July and then not much else until the next February when I started training for my first MS150.

MS150 2005- Felt great after training and completing the 2 day ride. Even ran 4 miles the following Monday.

Outlaw Trail October 2005- First century, 102 miles. Approximate time of 7 hours (I think). No lunch just rest stops. I hadn't ridden much after the April MS150 due to hiding from heat and I felt it. That century is relatively flat but windy. Was so sore the next day I just wanted to stay in.

Proof that riding lots will make for a better ride- I did a Hilly Metic (62 miler) last spring in 3 hours, 50 minutes. I spent all spring training for the MS150 (did 95 miles on day 1 fast, don't remember the time but we averaged 18 mph).

[luvs2ride]

Hello Jiffer,
My husband and I just finished our first century last Saturday (Lake Tahoe, CA). I started riding in January 07. I've done a few full marathons since 2004 so my cardio. is pretty good. Husband has been riding for years but never tackled the 100 miler. We trained through Team in Training with 3 rides per week (2 mid-week rides and a long ride on Saturdays-also, weights for husband and running for me throughout the week). A lot of our team-mates added a recovery ride on Sunday but we opted out. It took us 9 1/2 hours to finish our century. There were a lot of hills that took A LOT of time. We had over 7 hours total ride time but it took FOREVER at the SAG stops to get your food and go to the bathroom, etc. (very long lines . . was not expecting this!). I had many people tell me that you should NOT have a time goal for your first century. I think this is a good idea! Then you're not disappointed and, I think, don't feel as much "pressure" . . you're free to enjoy the experience. When I finished, I felt like I could have gone farther . . felt REALLY good! My husband would tell you a different story-was not the best day for him. He bonked at about 75-80 miles which also slowed us down. Overall, It was an AWESOME day and I plan to keep up my "base" and get out there again. I do have to say that after getting used to the bike I think my marathon days are over . . it's so much easier on my aging joints!!

Blessings, Susan

[Mr. Bloom]

Hey, where's my SAG?

Is it me, or does it seem that the SAGs get fewer and farther between for the century riders vs. the coverage for the half century riders?

[Veronica]

Is it me, or does it seem that the SAGs get fewer and farther between for the century riders vs. the coverage for the half century riders?

They do get farther apart I think.

Try doing a double century. Your SAG stops are usually about 30 miles apart.

On some brevets there are no SAG stops. You're expected to buy your food at stores or carry it.

V.

[Starfish]

The summers of 2001, 2002 & 2003, I noodled around on a mountain bike on paved flat trails, just a little. No more than about 1/2-weeks, and no more than about 10-15 miles at a time, TOPS.

Spring of 2004 I did a few rides on that mountain bike of up to 30 miles on paved, flat paths. Then, in August 2004, got my first road bike and did severals firsts all in one week:

* First multi-day tour (6 days, 500 miles, 20,000+ feet climbing)
* The first three days of that tour were personal bests (60, 65, 70 miles)
* That was also my first organized ride
* That was my first time riding in 100+ degree heat

I LOVED IT!!!

I barely rode the following fall and winter, and did a lot of 12 mile rides all spring, with a few 60 milers, and one 70 miler. That July I did my first century (100 miles). I did the Seattle to Portland ride (100 miles on both Saturday and Sunday). I did it alone (another first). I did day #1 in 8 hours (and I had never gotten to sleep the night before, not once!). The second day was wet and rainy, and I took 10 hours.

I was not fast, but it went GREAT, and was a huge confidence boost.

Go for it!

[mtkitchn]

I'd been riding for 8 months when I did my first century. I'm a textbook example of what NOT to do before your first century.
I hadn't ridden much the two months prior to the century itself, but I rode 57 miles the day before the century and drank three beers the night before the century. Century day was upwards of 95 degrees with 95% humidity and I thought I was going to DIE. Didn't eat or drink nearly enough, bonked at mile 80, and suffered half the night afterward (puking, couldn't eat, etc). Took me almost 8 hrs of riding time and 11 hrs total time to finish that ride. I learned a lot from that experience, but was kind of afraid of long rides after that.
Seven months later I decided to attempt my second century. I had been training a little more but didn't overdo it in the days leading up to the ride; the weather was nice and cool, and I took in plenty of electrolytes and food enroute. In spite of 20 mph headwinds for the last 35 miles, I finished in 7 hrs riding time, 8 hrs total time, and had energy to spare at the end.
Advice? Hydrate and eat properly and don't do what I did !!

[Geonz]

I think four years... and it took seven + hours, but it was basically fun. Some of the parts into the wind were tiring. Being on a 30 pound hybrid made it harder - but people were really supportive (it was a three-loop route and I started at the VERY beginning so people were passing me a lot ;)). At what might have been a critically boring part, somebody tucked in behind me - which was a first for me; ya don't get drafted on when you're going 14 mph on a hybrid too often. He'd go by me on the downhills (smoother tires) and tuck in on the uphills... and yes, he was a parasite but, on the other hand, my biggest foe at that point was the TEDIUM, not the pedaling, and, welp, I'm a sucker for having my ego primed :rolleyes: :rolleyes: - and frankly, I didn't really know *how* to draft behind him. .
THey're a lot easier on lighter bikes :-)
Training... I was riding 150-200 miles/week because that was my level of addiction that summer, so I wasn't formally "training" but I was pretty much ready for it. I was unemployed and free-lancing, and I figured that this might be the last time in my life that the fates would let me be in such good shape, so I pushed for it. SNork!!! Now the addiction has me heading for another 8000 mile year...

[HoosierGiant]

I don't think I wanted to know that when I do this thing some day, I'm going to feel like whale puke at some point.....

You probably won't. :) However, for me, that stage of anti-euphoria generally rears its ugly head for at least a mile or two on all my long rides. :( Guess I'm just blessed...

[Jiffer]

Wow! A lot of replies! Thanks to you all. I was referring to a hundred mile century, by the way.

The Amtrak Century Fredwina mentioned is the one I'm thinking about doing. It's supposed to be a good "first century". It's exactly what my parents did when I was a kid with some friends of theirs, except not organized and not all at once! They stayed in a hotel half way. It's a ride up the So. Cal coast from Irvine to San Diego and then you take the "party train" home, a private car with other riders. I remember hearing about their ride and seeing pictures and thinking how cool it would be to do that some day. When I found out there was an organized ride doing this very thing, I was all over it! I initially planned to do the 66 miles at Cool Breeze, Fredwina, but my kid's have a horse show that weekend.

The reason I'm curious what everyone's time was for their first century is because I have to do it in 8 hrs (12 mph avg) in order to take the train home. I'm hoping a girlfriend of mine is doing it as well and we can train for it together and ride together. She's stronger than me, so I'll probably be holding her back, but hopefully she won't mind hanging with me. She'll be doing her first century at Cool Breeze a month earlier. DH is also planning to sign up for it. He'd smoke it if he didn't stay with me. He just found out he was 4th out of 350 at a 10,400 elevation century he did yesterday. :eek: He's amazing. And quite inspiring. Anyways, I figure if I didn't feel confident about doing the century on my own, we can always ride the tandem. I sent an email asking if it mattered what we rode as long as we both signed up. So, at least I have a back up plan. I hear this ride sells out within 3 hours and registration is next Friday.

Thanks again for all your input. I'm so excited about doing this! :D

[Fredwina]

registration for Amtrak is this Friday (6/15), not next.
Cool Breeze, I've heard the climbing is seriously underrated (advertised at 4K and Tom and Sue came win with about 8K), pule you have to ride about 10 miles on the shoulder of 101.
Amtrak. You star out at the Irvine Metrolink station, You then climb up to the 241 toll road before heading down to the beach. Remember to bring ID, as you'll need it to get in to Camp Pendleton. Mostly flat to rolling till you get to Torrey Pines (mile 90) You climb about 500 feet in 2 miles. OCW has a rest stop with Ice cream at the top;)
I think you can be slower than 12 mph, just depend on when you leave. The train leaves at 4:30 ,and we rolled at 6. Also, the "private" train is a MetrolInk(it used to be Amtrak, but ML underbid them) Charter, so don't expect the Orient express. Tom and sue usually con their daughter into driving down there,so maybe you could hitch a ride with them
I did this in 2005. it was fun. Was going to do it in 2006, but that was when I broke my arm. Not sure about this year.
Have Fun, and give us a report!:cool:
PS
The link: http://www.ocw.org/Amtrak/Default.asp

[Dr. Liz]

I did my first century in May of this year (my second season cycling), the Salt Lake Century. It took us a little over 6 hours, and we were riding fast (18+ mph average - that said, I was riding with a group of guys who kept a high pace, and while they all cycled through the pace line, they let me just hang on the back of the 5-6 guys who were taking turns pulling - so I got carried quite a bit). It was great for the first 90 miles. The last 10 miles sucked. I was overheated (hydrated okay, but it was dry and hot and windy, and I don't seem to be able to cool off well, other than dumping water on my head - and my water was all warm by the 90 mile mark), and really started to fade. I don't take on solid food well when I ride, so I was pounding the FRS (lots of carbs, and simple sugars) the entire time, and didn't have any cramping or anything. I was just overheated, and my tepid (at best!) water wasn't cooling me off, although I kept hydrated.

But.... When I got back to the start point (we were parked about a quarter mile away, and DH had arrived about 4 minuted before me - his neck (he broke his neck in 2003, and has this horrific plate in his neck) was bothering him, and he had to get in and get off his bike, so I came in on my own, which was fine), I grabbed 2 bottles of cold water, dumped one on my head, and drank the other while I sat in the parking lot. DH called me on my cell phone to make sure I was okay. I told him I was in the parking lot, so all was fine, but I SWEAR, it took me 15 minutes to make it from where I had stopped to the car (again, .25 of a mile away). I was not exactly setting land-speed records at that point. :p

That said, I'm ready to do another one in a heartbeat. I learned a lot about how to manage myself, I learned a lot about how to communicate with other riders (especially ones I didn't know), and I KNOW that I can do it.

(Oh, and after the ride? We have a massage therapist who comes up to our house on a regular basis, and he came by after the ride, so the next day, while we felt beat (it was a fast ride, and certainly long given our training by that point in the season), we didn't feel awful. We did take the day off, and do nothing more than walk the dogs, though!)

But I'm REALLY looking forward to next year!

[Alex]

So, Dr. Liz. How 'bout one of the days of the Dual State Dual Century Challenge?

http://www.tailwinds-tours.com/centuries/dualcenturychallenge.html

After LRRH, I've been looking for a second century and ULCER is not until August!

Alex

[Jiffer]

Fredwina ... yah, I knew registration was 6/15, I just said it wrong. But thanks for clarifying anyways, cause it would have sucked to miss registration day completely had I not known!

I've done that Torry Pines climb on the tandem. It SUCKS! But I'm guessing it's the worst part of the ride and, at least I'm familiar with it. I heard about that climb back when I was a kid and mom and dad did it. They called it "Killer Hill" and have pictures of their friend at the top having conquered it! I didn't know exactly where it was or that it was Torry Pines, but when I rode it with DH last Fall I told him this HAD to be the infamous "Killer Hill"! And I was right.

When you said the climbing in Coolbreeze is underrated, do you mean it's more difficult than people think? Because DH just said that very thing. He said it's a tough first century and that Tom and Sue just said the other day that this not a century you don't train for.

Thanks for the other tips about Amtrak. I was thinking it seemed like you had more than 8 hours when I saw the starting times and the train departure time, (even with being there an hour early) but I thought maybe I was missing something and didn't want to take any chances. The site says it's a good first century. Would you agree?

[Fredwina]

Torry pines - yeah. it's the rough spot. it's even more doing at mile 120, half an hour after sunset (how would I know that;) ?) I've done it twice, and will be doing it again in couple of weeks.
Cool Breeze I think Tom and Sue were saying it's a lot harder than what was advertised. I've never done it. I was going to do it last year, but I crashed and broke my arm the week before.
when we did amtrak in 2005, we left Irvine at 6. I had carpooled down with Fred Roth. I managed to hang with Tom and Sue for 5 miles:p before getting dropped. I got to the pier at SD with an hour to spare. I had about an 11 average. I remeber being really bummed, since the last century I did( Ms 150 City to the Shore (Philadelphia to Ocean City, NJ)) - i had a 16.8 avg, but that had almost no climbing. we had one lady that was new, and no one had seen her except at the beginning, and I remember Fred and I being glad to spot her getting on the train.
Yes, I think it's good first one to aim for.

[Kimmyt]

I rode a century about 3 months after starting to cycle. Two weeks before that though me and The Boy did a self-supported 90-miler and then about a month after that we did another self-supported 100-miler.

Anything can be done if you include enough ice cream breaks. :D

[Crankin]

I did my first century last year, after riding for 6 years. We chose a relatively flat one (Tri State Seacoast ride in NH, MA, ME). Our riding time was about 6.5 hours, but we were out on the road from about 7:15 AM to 3:30? It might have been flat, but riding by the ocean on the way back, we had horrible headwinds, which were the same as hills! Plus, I had 2 flats, a result of a tear in the tire that we had to boot with a dollar bill. Oh and at about mile 85 the temperature went down about 25 degrees and a torrential rainstorm with thunder started; we had just enough time to get our rain jackets on, but not the pants. The rain only lasted about 10 minutes, but it made the last few miles miserable. We were seriously worried about hypothermia. I would say I felt fine until mile 60-70, but once I got to 80, I knew I would finish, no matter how slow I was.
I really didn't train for this. I ride on hills all of the time, which I think helped with the endurance. I consistently ride a lot of 40-55 mile rides, but last summer I didn't even do too many 50 milers. The years before, I did ride a few 60-70 mile rides. So, this isn't the best advice, but it worked for me.

[PinkBike]

my first century took 7 hours, i'd never gone that far but wanted to test myself. the only problems i had at all were pain in the girly parts from about mile 70 on. couldnt find a place on the seat that didnt hurt, found out from others (men and women) that's a normal thing. i probably wouldnt have made it without DH, when i just felt like quitting i would tuck in behind him and draft til i recovered. it was his first also and he isnt quite as good as i am, but he was there when i needed him!! swore i'd never do a century again, but i was proud that i'd actually done one!

now i'm constantly looking for centuries to do, did the tour de tucson last year in 6:06 which pained me because 6:00 was platinum!!

i generally finish centuries in the 6 to 6-1/2 hour range.

as you ride, find a group and tag along, it's so much easier when youre drafting. if they're too fast wait for another group, if they're too slow ride up to another. even if its just a couple guys riding together, it really helps.

[Jiffer]

Anything can be done if you include enough ice cream breaks. :D

I like that, Kimmy! I also like the fact that you did your first century 3 months after you started cycling, because that's pretty much my intention. However, I did start riding tandem last Fall, so cycling isn't completely new. But riding a single is.

My husband is trying to be encouraging, and he is ... but he's worried I might be setting myself up for big disappointment and misery by doing it so soon. He's worried it will be an especially hard experience for me and take the joy out of riding. I don't think it will. I know if it's extra rough, it's because I could have taken longer to prepare and that next time, I will! This particular century excites me, just like the thought of running across the Golden Gate Bridge motivated me to train for the San Francisco Half Marathon.

So, he is hesitant in one breath, but in the next says, "But you'll probably do fine. Yeah, it's a good one to do."

And there's always the back up plan to ride tandem. :)

[Starfish]

This particular century excites me, just like the thought of running across the Golden Gate Bridge motivated me to train for the San Francisco Half Marathon.

There's the key, right there. If you are motivated, and if your goals are along the lines of having a great learning experience, or going farther than you ever have before, or whatever (as opposed to making your goal too performance specific for your first one), then you can have a great experience and hit your goals more or less regardless of the outcome.

Go for it!

[hellosunshine]

4.59.02,with a change of wheel/puncture stop.


i was knickers the next day!and had the s****s!!!!methinks the influx of gels and eating on the go..........

[Jiffer]

Thanks Starfish. No, I'm not looking to do anything other than finish it before the train leaves in San Diego! I plan to enjoy it as much as one can enjoy riding 100 miles. When I did the SF Half Marathon, I COMPLETELY enjoyed the experience, despite the pain and the many hills. I had't been to SF since I was 4 and only remembered the plane ride! We didn't get a chance to see much of anything the day we got their to pick up our race packet, so everything was brand new. There's so much amazing scenery and I took it all in with great enthusiasm, especially the GG bridge. And the thrill of simply finishing something that once seemed so daunting, was a great satisfaction. I even made the time I was hoping for.

I plan to do the same with this ride, even though I've pretty much seen it all and have even ridden a small a portion of it. Of course, on the back of a tandem, I could see a whole lot more! To be honest, as of tonight, I'm sort of thinking more about riding tandem, which was our original plan and I changed it. I think DH was a little sad. It might be good for me to do my first century on the tandem and just focus on getting more base in on my single for a while. There are other shorter organized rides I can find to do on my single for now. I don't know. The great thing is, I have the option of going either way, so I really don't have to decide right now. If I ride it on tandem this year, I can plan to ride it on my single next year and I'll know what to expect.

We'll see. I do believe I could do it on my own if I really wanted to, though. Thanks for the encouragement! :)