Howdy! I'm all signed up for my first century in a few years, Levi's Gran Fondo in Santa Rosa CA. Super excited, looking forward to a summer of riding!

Now, I've only done recreational centuries before. More or less. I'm pretty recreational. So, what can I expect to be different? You know, besides the time limits. I know we have three hours to hit the first checkpoint, 30-some miles up a hill. And 10 or 11 hours to finish. And I know that this particular ride is HILLTASTIC.

Any experience with this kind of ride? Do tell...