How not to ride a century

After riding all that way yesterday and "breaking" all the rules and conventional wisdom about it. It is possible for just about any one to ride a century and survive. So to all the ladies out there that often ask can I be able to ride 100 miles in days/weeks/months? Yes you can. In fact you can likely go outside and do one right now if you can find a flat enough road for 3/4 of it. What about saddle time? Oh get over it your gona hurt regardless of how prepared you are that's part of the reason they are such a milestone for a cyclist. The biggest thing you need is the will to make the ride.
However, here are a few things that you need to avoid doing if you actually want to make the whole ride.

First, even though I said you technically can do it without base miles, I don't do it. My last ride was 33 miles over a week ago. And the total for all of June was only 37 miles more than yesterday.
Second, no matter how fat you are it is best to get around 300 calories in you per hour, which is adjusted based on body weight. I figured I had 43 pounds of extra fat to burn so I only had 110 the whole time. DON'T Ever do that.
Third, you need to have a supply of protien that you are ingesting along the ride, if you don't eventually your muscles will pay. Just ask my shourlders and arms. Muscles not directly used in propling the bike can be cannabalized by your body to make glucose:eek: .
Fourth, always be sure to drink at least one 20oz bottle of water per hour of riding. So people say you should drink 2. I however was to lazy to get off my bike more then once so I did it on four bottles in seven hours. PLEASE DON't ever try that unless you have no other choice.
Fifth, have some type of energy drink every few bottles.
Sixth, always plan ahead for a century, don't make up your mind 20 minuets before you do it.

Have fun and ride safe .

Congratulations on your ride :) You get a big atta girl. Just curious, how long did it take you? I am always afraid that I will take too long and when I get back everyone has gone :confused: . What type of bike did you use?

I also want to know more.

Twenty minutes before?

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The biggest thing you need is the will to make the ride.

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I really needed to see this today, so thanks!

I've been having a minor freak out kind of day over my own impending Big Ride (capitalized to show the proportions it takes on in my mind when I'm having nervousness around it) in about a week and half. Some days I feel like it's going to be fine, and others I question my sanity for having signed up.

My will/determination has never been an issue...feeling encouraged now. :D

It took me 7:08:34. Which is slower than I have done in the past. Likely because there was no type of prep for this ride at all. I rode my road bike a cannondale.

I did a solo century yesterday. I had no group to ride with. I got one of my friends to stop by and cheer me on though about half way through for a few minuets.

I basically was sitting at the computer thinking about doing a bike ride that morning, Then it hit me what about riding a century it's only 10am you have plenty of time. So I got up and off I went. That is why I had none of the things I really needed for the ride. So good think it had no significant climbs just a few long low grades. And a headwind on the turnarounds that didn't seem to want to give up. It was likely only about 10 to 15mph, but it was more then enough to make me wonder why I was doing it that day.

I have to just go do a century. If I try to plan it, I can talk myself out of it. I have never done a group century. This is my first one this year and I haven't done one in over two years now.

I think most of the reason I ride them alone is I don't like to loose and I know in a group I'd be smack in the middle to low middle finishers.

Cr400
holy cow! I don't know how you survived. Not eating, not drinking, not stopping?!?!?!
Maybe you're only 21 and you can get away with it.

I am truly impressed. Please eat and drink more on your next century..

I've seen "flattest centuries" advertised before. I need to do one next year.
I don't know about doing it alone, though. You obviously have more confidence in your mechanical abilities than I do of mine. I am taking a class soon, though.

Actually I'm 29. I just don't want anyone else to do what I did the way I did it. It could lead to serious health problems. Not to mention not making past mile 50. But also to encourage others that even when everything seems to be against you, you can still make the distance. And you don't have to train for months like some seem to think.

Don't worry; i won't! I'm almost twice your age and I could never get away with it.
:eek: :eek:

I've ridden centuries with little training and I've ridden them having gone into it strong. While you don't have to train for months, it makes it FAR easier if you do :) While I could finish the ride either way, I'd rather feel happy as I'm riding and I want to still have energy at the end. Proper training makes for a good experience all the way around though I have known people who can take months off then ride 100 miles like it's nothing. I'm not one of those people.

I'm doing 3000+ km ride over 3 weeks starting Saturday. I have been in training for several months seriously, but of course preparation (especially mental preparation) started the week after I finished the same ride last year. The final organising of my special drinks and food starts today. It is a really challenging route with some huge climbs, but I am pretty confident.

[margo just going off to change the batteries in the remote before the TdF]

It was good to read how "not to do your first century" since I just signed up for my first. I have been riding with a bike club all summer and have logged in some decent saddle time. I will remember your tips when I hit the road :)

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Originally Posted by ladyicon

I am always afraid that I will take too long and when I get back everyone has gone :confused: .

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I've been the last, or second to last more than once - so what if everyone is gone. I cheer for myself, pat myself on the back, load up my bike and go home. No big deal!

tell us about your planned ride - where you going????

bat

Bat..Ýou had to read between the lines on margo's post...She meant she was about to watch (aka "Do") the TDF..

C

I've only done one century, so I can't say this authoritatively, but I believe the best centuries are unplanned. More adventures that way. I did better than you--I didn't plan it 20 minutes in advance. I decided to do a century 2 hours into the ride! And I didn't do it in 7 hours. I took 11 hours about it. A stiff headwind that only turned into a tailwind when night fell and inadequate lighting...

ok, i too didnt' get the reference to the tour, but i blame it on the fact that i was laughing so hard at bat's cat avatar - what a great looking kitty!

this is my goal, i'm hoping to do one next year. my goal used to be to do the 100 miles of the livestrong challenge in philly, but after my brother in law said it was seriously NOT FUN, due to the hills, i've decided to aim for the 70 mile ride on that next year and look to something a bit less, shall i say "lance-ish" for a century. :D