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 [U]Guide to Sports Nutrition 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
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.