How long did it take you to do your first Century?

[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.

[lauraelmore1033]

I just completed my first century yesterday with Dh, and I have been riding since last March or so. I'd been training fairly seriously (for me) since Feb. Wasn't as bad as I expected while I was riding, but when I stopped, I noticed that there was not one thing on my body that didn't hurt. After a couple of good meals and a good nights sleep, I don't feel any worse than I would after, say, a good, hard 35 mile ride. The ride itself took us about seven hours and 20 minutes (average mph of 13.5 mph). That entailed reigning in the pace on the flats when we really wanted to fly and pushing it on the climby bits when I wanted to lag.

[Mr. Bloom]

I got my bike on March 27.

Within two weeks I did my first metric century (and my knees hurt for a month after that)...averaged about 15.5mph on a flat, but very windy, beach road.

Two weeks ago, I did my first full century at the Horsey Hundred and averaged 14.9 mph on a very hilly route. With breaks, we took 8 hours.

In my metric century yesterday with SilverSon, I crossed 1,000 miles on my odometer.

[HoosierGiant]

Got my bike at the end of October 2005, but didn't do much riding that winter -- Indiana weather plus newbie-ness equals not many miles. Really started riding in April of 2006.

First century (100 miles -- well, actually 101.26 miles, but who's keping track?! ) was the Sizzlin' Century in Kokomo, Indiana in August, 2006 (7:07 ride time). 16 mph headwind from mile 48 to mile 71 just about killed me! All that time I'd been counting down the miles and then the tenths to 71 miles, but there was nothing but open road at 71. Hey, where's my SAG? What do you mean that freakin' detour added a mile-and-a-quarter to the course? And no one consulted the first-time century rider? What were you people thinking?! So, we had an extra bit of hell before the church came into sight. (A rather fitting edifice for a SAG, huh?) A few more miles into the wind after that, and then we turned south for some smooth sailin'! We did between 18 and 20mph for a good deal of the way to the next SAG at 87 miles, and I knew that finishing was not going to be a problem. Afterwards, grabbed some food, chugged my quart of chocolate milk (best recovery drink around), and was good for the two-hour drive home. Man, was I wired! Unload the truck, take a shower, bounce around the house, "Let's go dancing!" (Well... not that I can... but I sure had the energy to.) Talk about an endorphin-high!!

Rode my first metric century, Stride 'n Ride in New Castle, Indiana, (practically in my back yard) at the end of that September -- 6:04 ride time under very windy conditions... on a course that was designed to include most of the major hills in this part of the county. Enough already!

Having come from a background as a long-distance runner, and having completed several marathons, there's always that desire to go further, faster. The bike is the perfect solution for my middle-aged, non-running self!

The three best pieces of advice I can give? Put in the miles, put in the miles, put in the miles. And work on that mental toughness -- that's what will get you through the inevitable stretch when you feel like whale puke on the bottom of the ocean, and then all of a sudden you're feeling so good you swear you could eradicate world hunger, illiteracy, and AIDS single-handedly. Oh, and make sure you stay hydrated and take on enough fuel. And try to make your first attempt at that distance in the company of others -- with a friend or on an organized ride -- that way there's plenty of activity, conversation, etc., to occupy your time and help the miles fly by. (Well now, I think that was actually six pieces of advice. )

Set a goal and work toward it! We are women of the 21st century, and there's nothing we can't accomplish!!

[Kano]

The three best pieces of advice I can give? Put in the miles, put in the miles, put in the miles. And work on that mental toughness -- that's what will get you through the inevitable stretch when you feel like whale puke on the bottom of the ocean, and then all of a sudden you're feeling so good you swear you could eradicate world hunger, illiteracy, and AIDS single-handedly. Oh, and make sure you stay hydrated and take on enough fuel. And try to make your first attempt at that distance in the company of others -- with a friend or on an organized ride -- that way there's plenty of activity, conversation, etc., to occupy your time and help the miles fly by. (Well now, I think that was actually six pieces of advice. )

Set a goal and work toward it! We are women of the 21st century, and there's nothing we can't accomplish!!

Thanks HoosierGiant!

Except -- I don't think I wanted to know that when I do this thing some day, I'm going to feel like whale puke at some point.....

Karen

[Aggie_Ama]

I got my first road bike May 24, 2004. Did a 50 mile ride in July and then not much else until the next February when I started training for my first MS150.

MS150 2005- Felt great after training and completing the 2 day ride. Even ran 4 miles the following Monday.

Outlaw Trail October 2005- First century, 102 miles. Approximate time of 7 hours (I think). No lunch just rest stops. I hadn't ridden much after the April MS150 due to hiding from heat and I felt it. That century is relatively flat but windy. Was so sore the next day I just wanted to stay in.

Proof that riding lots will make for a better ride- I did a Hilly Metic (62 miler) last spring in 3 hours, 50 minutes. I spent all spring training for the MS150 (did 95 miles on day 1 fast, don't remember the time but we averaged 18 mph).

[HoosierGiant]

I don't think I wanted to know that when I do this thing some day, I'm going to feel like whale puke at some point.....

You probably won't. However, for me, that stage of anti-euphoria generally rears its ugly head for at least a mile or two on all my long rides. Guess I'm just blessed...

[Mr. Bloom]

Hey, where's my SAG?

Is it me, or does it seem that the SAGs get fewer and farther between for the century riders vs. the coverage for the half century riders?

[Veronica]

Is it me, or does it seem that the SAGs get fewer and farther between for the century riders vs. the coverage for the half century riders?

They do get farther apart I think.

Try doing a double century. Your SAG stops are usually about 30 miles apart.

On some brevets there are no SAG stops. You're expected to buy your food at stores or carry it.

V.