How long would you have to train?

[Jenn]

For a century. I know DH and I cannot do one anytime soon because the only time we get to ride outside is on the weekends. I spin everyday at home, but it's definatly not the same. We have the Albuquerque Century coming up in June and are just going to do the 50 mile loop which will be a stretch for us but we know we can do at least that.
But on average how long do ya'll train before a century and do you think it would be possible only being able to ride on the weekends?

[makbike]

I've been told by several experienced cyclists that if you can ride 60-70 miles two days in a row you can handle a century. I would think the weekends leading up to this would need to be include challenging rides (hills, long climbs, etc) to condition your body. You might try increasing your weekend milage by 10% each week. So say you ride 25 miles on Saturday and again on Sunday, try the next weekend to bump that up to 28 miles each day and continue to do this until you make it to your goal of 60 - 70 miles both days.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[maillotpois]

I did my first century after 5 months training. I had never ridden before.

I often cannot ride outside during the week, but find that spinning or riding a trainer indoors during the week allows you to maintain your fitness between long rides. So don't give up too quickly on the idea of a full century just because you can only do long rides on the weekends.

If you can ride 75 - 85 miles in a day you can do a century, as long as you're riding comparable terrain to the century you're going to do.

[Jenn]

Thank you guys for the encouragin words! We know for sure next year we'll do the whole thing, but this year, we are just going to shoot for the 50 miles. If the weather doesn't get better and we can't get out and ride, we may be doing the "family fun ride" that's 25 miles with our little one in her trailer!

[Geonz]

That's a very, very "it depends" question. I know I'm pre-wired for endurance... some folks aren't. Then there are the "how much are you willing to hurt" questions (and what do you mean by "train?") And, of course, you gotta have a bike you can *sit* on for that long

[RoadRaven]

You should increase your rides by no more than 10% (I think thats the number) in any one week.

If you can ride 80 or 90 miles, then you will be able to do 100 even if it is your first time.

If you want to do 100 miles in a specific time, thats when you have to lots of long distance training rides, and work on your endurance.

Good luck and have fun. This is one type of cycling that doesn't appeal to me, and I am constantly impressed by the number of women here at TE that do such primo jobs of riding these distances on a regular basis.