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

[Starfish]

The summers of 2001, 2002 & 2003, I noodled around on a mountain bike on paved flat trails, just a little. No more than about 1/2-weeks, and no more than about 10-15 miles at a time, TOPS.

Spring of 2004 I did a few rides on that mountain bike of up to 30 miles on paved, flat paths. Then, in August 2004, got my first road bike and did severals firsts all in one week:

* First multi-day tour (6 days, 500 miles, 20,000+ feet climbing)
* The first three days of that tour were personal bests (60, 65, 70 miles)
* That was also my first organized ride
* That was my first time riding in 100+ degree heat

I LOVED IT!!!

I barely rode the following fall and winter, and did a lot of 12 mile rides all spring, with a few 60 milers, and one 70 miler. That July I did my first century (100 miles). I did the Seattle to Portland ride (100 miles on both Saturday and Sunday). I did it alone (another first). I did day #1 in 8 hours (and I had never gotten to sleep the night before, not once!). The second day was wet and rainy, and I took 10 hours.

I was not fast, but it went GREAT, and was a huge confidence boost.

Go for it!

[mtkitchn]

I'd been riding for 8 months when I did my first century. I'm a textbook example of what NOT to do before your first century.
I hadn't ridden much the two months prior to the century itself, but I rode 57 miles the day before the century and drank three beers the night before the century. Century day was upwards of 95 degrees with 95% humidity and I thought I was going to DIE. Didn't eat or drink nearly enough, bonked at mile 80, and suffered half the night afterward (puking, couldn't eat, etc). Took me almost 8 hrs of riding time and 11 hrs total time to finish that ride. I learned a lot from that experience, but was kind of afraid of long rides after that.
Seven months later I decided to attempt my second century. I had been training a little more but didn't overdo it in the days leading up to the ride; the weather was nice and cool, and I took in plenty of electrolytes and food enroute. In spite of 20 mph headwinds for the last 35 miles, I finished in 7 hrs riding time, 8 hrs total time, and had energy to spare at the end.
Advice? Hydrate and eat properly and don't do what I did !!

[Geonz]

I think four years... and it took seven + hours, but it was basically fun. Some of the parts into the wind were tiring. Being on a 30 pound hybrid made it harder - but people were really supportive (it was a three-loop route and I started at the VERY beginning so people were passing me a lot ). At what might have been a critically boring part, somebody tucked in behind me - which was a first for me; ya don't get drafted on when you're going 14 mph on a hybrid too often. He'd go by me on the downhills (smoother tires) and tuck in on the uphills... and yes, he was a parasite but, on the other hand, my biggest foe at that point was the TEDIUM, not the pedaling, and, welp, I'm a sucker for having my ego primed - and frankly, I didn't really know *how* to draft behind him. .
THey're a lot easier on lighter bikes :-)
Training... I was riding 150-200 miles/week because that was my level of addiction that summer, so I wasn't formally "training" but I was pretty much ready for it. I was unemployed and free-lancing, and I figured that this might be the last time in my life that the fates would let me be in such good shape, so I pushed for it. SNork!!! Now the addiction has me heading for another 8000 mile year...

[hellosunshine]

4.59.02,with a change of wheel/puncture stop.


i was knickers the next day!and had the s****s!!!!methinks the influx of gels and eating on the go..........

[Jiffer]

Thanks Starfish. No, I'm not looking to do anything other than finish it before the train leaves in San Diego! I plan to enjoy it as much as one can enjoy riding 100 miles. When I did the SF Half Marathon, I COMPLETELY enjoyed the experience, despite the pain and the many hills. I had't been to SF since I was 4 and only remembered the plane ride! We didn't get a chance to see much of anything the day we got their to pick up our race packet, so everything was brand new. There's so much amazing scenery and I took it all in with great enthusiasm, especially the GG bridge. And the thrill of simply finishing something that once seemed so daunting, was a great satisfaction. I even made the time I was hoping for.

I plan to do the same with this ride, even though I've pretty much seen it all and have even ridden a small a portion of it. Of course, on the back of a tandem, I could see a whole lot more! To be honest, as of tonight, I'm sort of thinking more about riding tandem, which was our original plan and I changed it. I think DH was a little sad. It might be good for me to do my first century on the tandem and just focus on getting more base in on my single for a while. There are other shorter organized rides I can find to do on my single for now. I don't know. The great thing is, I have the option of going either way, so I really don't have to decide right now. If I ride it on tandem this year, I can plan to ride it on my single next year and I'll know what to expect.

We'll see. I do believe I could do it on my own if I really wanted to, though. Thanks for the encouragement!