When I started training for my first century many people recommended The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling : Build the Strength, Skills, and Confidence to Ride as Far as You Want (on Amazon). Its a good resource, although I used basically ten pages of the book -- the training schedule, and the nutrition guidance. I modified the training schedule because they give you ten or twelve weeks (can't remember) of workouts to prepare you, and I only had 6, but if you've got something of a good mileage base you can totally use their schedule ... .just bump up a few weeks. That book is pretty popular, you might be able to thumb through a loaner copy if you know any century riders -- I think they all have one!

There's anothter book called The Female Cyclist ... the reviews were good but I found the book fairly useless -- no info the first book didn't have.

But more importantly ... you've inspired me with the beer run idea! I think I could ride to several brewerys within a hundred mile radius or so ... something to think about, and what a reward when the ride was done!!!

Have a great time!