Metric or Full Century May 20th?

[Bklynmom]

I have been training for about 2 months with a goal of doing a 111 mile charity ride with big hills in August. I am starting to rock on rolling hills, and my flat crusing speed it up around 16 MPH. My hills are better, but big ones still kill me. I am typographically challenged

Last week my mileage total was 140, longest ride 62 miles. I am starting to work on hills with great advice from this group, but it's still an uphill climb .

I am doing the Montauk Long Island Century ride, where I can choose metric or 100 miles. This is a flat ride with rolling hills in the last 5 miles (nothing like the hills that kicked my tush the other day in Piermont, NY).

I signed up for 100 miles, but can change my mind at the last minute and go metric. What do you think I should do?

Lisa

[melissam]

Bklynmom,

From the information you've given, it sounds like you're right on track to do the 100 mile ride. Why do I say that?

1. You're "rockin'" on the rollin' hills, and the course has rolling hills rather than the alpine mountains that you're going to do in August.

2. Based on a typical century training program, your mileage and long ride is right in line with where you should be a week before your ride.

Here's a link to a sample century training program:
http://www.diablocyclists.com/RiderT...ingProgram.htm

3. You've been training for 2 months. If you'd started two weeks ago, that'd be a different matter.

I think you can do the 100 mile ride, and that it will give you confidence for your upcoming charity ride in August.

Have fun!

-- Melissa

[Bklynmom]

This link is great - thanks. I had a great short intense ride today and came home energetic! Sunday is a challenging 60 miler, then just short intense rides next week in preparation for Sunday.

Lets hope those hills are really rolling, and that the wind is in our favor.

I am psyched !

Lisa

[teigyr]

I think you can do 100 The course sounds pretty user-friendly and you've been training for far more difficult terrain than that.

The link is awesome! I am having the same struggle with a ride on the 19th and it appears that I am far more ready than I thought, at least by that.

Be sure to write how your ride was!!!!

[Bklynmom]

Thanks teigyr-
I was reading about your ride too. I will send good vibes your way on the 19th. Mine sounds very manageable. I think I remember reading yours had a lot of serious hills right? I plan on doing 100 if the conditions are favorable - if the weather is rainy or very windy, I might just go metric.

When I started riding seriously, I never though I would become obsessed with typography, and wind speeds.

I think it will be great for my confidence to have already done a century way before the charity ride in August.

Have you decided what you are going to do?

[teigyr]

Thank you! Yeah, it's funny how riding will change your view of the world and especially about wind.

My mind keeps changing!!! On sunday (our only day off together) we're going to ride around 60. We will mix street, bike trail, and hill riding all in there and we'll see how we feel. We will then drive the courses (after feasting at a local pub) and see how the hills compare to the ones we did.

My concerns are poorly maintained streets or bike lanes (DH has never done street riding) and hills beyond our capability. I'm good with long gradual climbs but I'm not in shape or geared for steep.

So, I want to do the 70. I will hope for the best when we drive the course. Regardless of what we do, I want us to do 70. The ride people said that we could mix it up with the various distances so that is always a possibility. Since this is a charity ride, I firmly believe in not taking the easy way out!!!

As a sidenote, I am doing the miles that was recommended in the link and I feel fine. In fact, I'm getting more energetic the more I do! DH, however, is only riding once a week due to time constraints though he's a strong person in general.

I've done many centuries in the past. I am sure you'll feel it and of course the hills are at the end! Seriously though, don't think about the distance too much (though I am known to obsess..."ok. Mile 25! I am 1/4 of the way through!"), make friends, and enjoy the rest stops! You'll reach a different plane of existence by the end but it is a good one. You might reach points where you question your sanity but it'll all be wonderful when you finish. It is a feeling that can't be recreated any other way and it is so great and you will be so proud of yourself!!!