three months enough to train for century?

[Elrona]

Thanks for the advice, folks! You guys are great!

I rode 25 miles yesterday, incuding a great big hill, and it was not really a problem (wow this carbon bike is GREAT!). Melissa M- thanks so much for directing me to the Diablo Cyclist Century Training schedule- pretty sure I can follow it. Weather has been beautiful here in southern NM- clear and sunny, in the 60s during the day. Windy season is coming up, but I've been pelted w/sand when running, I s'pose I can learn to deal w/it when biking.

I have no problem riding w/out hands, eating and drinking on the bike. You are right that my biggest hurdle will be riding in a group, so my next project is to track down a group of people to ride with. I heard about a group made up of mostly retirees- "the "Chowder Club"- that rides here on the weekends. Maybe they'll be patient w/a newbie and willing to share their biking wisdom and experience.

I'll go to Santa Fe one way or another... if something goes wrong (ie bad weather, still don't feel comfie in a group, etc) I'll just do the 50 mile.

I'm just too excited not to go.

[mimitabby]

Thanks for the advice, folks! You guys are great!

I rode 25 miles yesterday, incuding a great big hill, and it was not really a problem (wow this carbon bike is GREAT!).
I have no problem riding w/out hands, eating and drinking on the bike. You are right that my biggest hurdle will be riding in a group, so my next project is to track down a group of people to ride with. I heard about a group made up of mostly retirees- "the "Chowder Club"- that rides here on the weekends. Maybe they'll be patient w/a newbie and willing to share their biking wisdom and experience.

I'm just too excited not to go.

I like your attitude. I've never ridden without hands, it is not a prerequisite for a century!

[CR400]

That's the spirit. You are only really limited by what you think or don't think you can do. Often what you believe about yourself is far more real to you then reality. So a lot about cycling is really about what you truely think you can accomplish not what others think.

I rode my first century 2 years ago in May. In April I had done a 50 mile ride. The Saturday before I did a 55 mile ride with 3 monster hills and a few smaller ones. Anything but flat is the point. The next week I went out and road my first century solo, no support. But then I don't ride to feel all comfortable and happy when I am done. I ride to feel spent and looking for a 12 hour nap. I usually ride not for comfort but speed and the thrill of going fast under my own power.

[Kimmyt]

I think last year I did a century within 3-4 months of getting my first bike. After my first supported century, I did an unsupported 100-miler or so, but that was great because we stopped for ice cream 1/4 and 3/4 of the way through the ride.

I ride so I can eat ice cream twice in a day without feeling bad.



Anyway, you can do this. I think a century on a bike is pretty easy training-wise, compared to say... a marathon or something. Just ride several times a week, spend some time in your saddle, and take advantage of the rest stops on the course. Stop to smell the grass and count the cows. It makes it more enjoyable that way.

K.

[Brandy]

I started riding in May '06 and did my first century ride in August '06. I had a similar Spinning background and it gave me a huge advantage when I started riding outside. I was off of the bike from Sept-mid October and I just completed my first double century on Saturday. I know it's do-able if you put your mind to it and get the mileage in! Best of luck to you.

[hellosunshine]

is it a time trial or a 100mile ride?


i did my first 100m tt last year.THINKING about it wasnt as bad as doing it,like going to the dentist!


i had base miles under my belt and before hand i did long 10min intervals,prob did about 15 hrs a week un til the week before than 1 or 2 hrs a day.


FUEL IS VITAL AND LIQUIDS.


trust your dog walker too,i got home to discover the lad who said hed walk the dog DIDNT so i had to take my setter on a hge walk,this polished me off!!!!