Question about century rides

[crazycanuck]

I don't want to hijack the other thread so i'll start me own!

Why are century rides so popular & abundant in the USA?

Why aren't there any in Australia?

The only thing we have close to say your century rides would be either the off road distance events in NSW, WA, QLD, Tassie & Vic or the Great Victorian Bike Ride. Well that and the 6, 12 or 24hr mtn bike events accross the country.

In no way shape or form are the off road distance events in Qld, Tassie or NSW easy! The Wildside is one of the hardest one day mtb evnts in Australia..it's just mud & more mud!

I am a bit jealous..

C

[IFjane]

Oh gosh, I wish I had an answer for you! I can think of several reasons why they are popular here - they are a great way to get cyclists from all over the place together to ride; they are a wonderful fund-raiser for various charities and they are a physical challenge without it being a race.

As for why there are none in Australia - I had no idea there weren't any! Wow...so....someone needs to take the plunge & organize one!

[GLC1968]

I think that IFJane did a great job explaining why centuries are popular here in the US. I would guess that the century talk is much heavier on this forum than it is in most american towns in general, though (perhaps this is different out west). For example, cycling is huge in my town, and there are a few century rides near by, but 90% of them are of the 'challenge' variety because we happen to have some great riding just west of us. ('Challenge' meaning that there is more than 8000ft of climbing in the 100 miles). These are the only century rides I had heard of prior to joining TE (except for the MS150), and I was always of the impression that the riders who did these challenge centuries were freaks of nature. How could you not be with names like "Blood, Sweat and Gears" and "Mountains of Misery"?

In addition, prior to joining this forum, I knew of very few actual century riders. I know about 50 cyclists (at work) and only a tiny handful of us have done (or aspire to do) centuries (maybe 5?). A vast majority of the club riders in my area max out at metric century distances and have no desire to do longer.

So my point is that while it sounds like we are all 'century-bound' in this country, I don't think that is necessarily the case. I think that so many of us TE ladies are inspired by the MP's, V's and etcs...of the community, that we all want to do more than the 'average American'.

[maillotpois]

We're so lucky here in California. There's a century practically every week and about 14 double centuries to choose from as well as other epic crazy rides.

I did my first century as a fundraiser in 2001 and since then I have done countless centuries and double metrics, 7 double centuries, Death Rides, brevets, etc. I think a lot of people are like that - they get into it and just become consumed with it. And even better, DH and I were pretty new to the area when we started riding and didn't know a ton of people and we've made a lot of great friends - and of course the TE friends as well.

I would imagine Australia would be receptive to this sort of thing - I have a vision of Aussies being outdoorsy, fit, etc., so I don't know why it hasn't picked up over there.

[silver]

Maybe it's cause you're metric?

[Trekhawk]

Maybe it's cause you're metric?

Yep that is one reason and the other would be population. Remember more people live in California than live in the whole of Australia.

[sgtiger]

Hey, you could look at it as an excuse to visit us Yanks and do one here.

[Trekhawk]

Check these out.

http://www.australiancyclist.com.au/...aspx?cid=46#29

South Australia has a few good events.
http://www.bikesa.asn.au/Events/Even...lash_07_on.htm

I nearly have my husband talked into doing the Nullarbor 1200 sometime in the future. I also want to do the Alpine Classic - hmm he doesnt think that one sounds like fun at all.

I guess it will all depend on where we end up on our return to Aust. If its the ACT or SA I think the cycling will be pretty good.

[jobob]

Nullarbor 1200 ????

[Trekhawk]

Nullarbor 1200 ????

LOL - remember this is me mate. I dont do insane. This a multi day thing.
Check out the link below.
Hee hee perhaps you and Lee need to come visit us that year and we can all enjoy the pain umm I mean scenery together.

http://www.bikesa.asn.au/Events/Even...llarbor_08.htm

[Aint Doody]

And--you don't always have to actually ride 100 miles on a "century". There are usually other options for shorter mileages with the rides.