So I hope to do a century this fall. Longest ride to date is 50+/-. I haven't been back on the bike yet this season.

I've read a lot of articles on working up to a century. I'm really not too worried about the distance--I think I could work up to it fairly easily, especially since I've been working out all winter, which I haven't done before. What I'm worried about is my average speed.

I'm not fast (I don't run fast, either--I'm just slow). When I rode with the group last summer, I could keep it up there around 12-14, I guess. By myself it hovers around 11. I would be bringing up the rear for sure at 100 miles at that speed!

So what do I concentrate on? Could I spend the first part of my season building up my speed and build up the distance later? Vice-versa? How?

Thanks,
Karen