how hard IS a century?

[Starfish]

I think that depends in part on how the elevation gain is distributed. I did a near-century this past weekend with about 6300 ft of climbing, but about 4000 ft was in the first 35 miles. I was a bit whupped for the rest of the ride.

But yes, if the climbing is somewhat spred out, I agree with you.

Yep, distribution really matters to me, too. I can climb a 5% grade all day long, if it is a sustained climb.

But, up down, up down, up down tires me out WAY faster, especially if the hills get up into the teen%s.

And, for me, doing my ab & lower back work VERY routinely has made a huge differenc in my long distance comfort on the bike.

[indigoiis]

And, for me, doing my ab & lower back work VERY routinely has made a huge differenc in my long distance comfort on the bike.

I think core work is very important. Weights, too - especially free weights with the arms / upper arms - less fatigue to the neck and shoulders.

[alpinerabbit]

Running, OTOH is much more injury prone...

Saddle time and ability to climb another incline, then another, and being able to refuel / base endurance are key to covering 100 miles in my limited (1x) experience.

[li10up]

I agree with what the others have said based on my long rides. Wiseowl, what has been your longest ride so far this year? I too am going to attempt my first imperial century this year (next month). So far I have 10, or so, 40-50 mile rides, a 70 mile ride and am planning an 80 mile ride later this month. If you can ride 80 miles now in relative comfort I think you should be able to do the full 100. I'd recommend standing every now and then just to keep the blood flowing to the butt area and prevent getting too sore. I've found it helps to count down the miles once you've reached the half-way point. Once you reach 20 miles to go (or whatever your typical ride length is) you know that you only have a normal base ride left. If you can stay comfortable on the bike and stay hydrated and fueled you can do it...at least that is going to be my approach...hope it works.

[sundial]

I'm wondering, has anyone done a century with a CamelBak? Also, should you take in carbs every 30 or 45 minutes--stuff like Carb-boom, Cliff shots, or more substantial chewy fun food?

I might do a hilly 100 in October provided my knee can handle it. I can comfortably ride 45 miles now and I've been at it for about a month I guess. I'm still trying to figure out my on the bike eating schedule though. Any suggestion?

[KSH]

I'm wondering, has anyone done a century with a CamelBak? Also, should you take in carbs every 30 or 45 minutes--stuff like Carb-boom, Cliff shots, or more substantial chewy fun food?

I might do a hilly 100 in October provided my knee can handle it. I can comfortably ride 45 miles now and I've been at it for about a month I guess. I'm still trying to figure out my on the bike eating schedule though. Any suggestion?

Well, I haven't done 100 miles proper... but I've done 70-80-85 miles... and I did it with a Camelbak and 2 water bottles. Of course, I filled up along the way.

When I ride, after the first hour (since I have breakfast in my tummy) my goal is to try to consume 200 calories an hour... that can be in the form of food/gels/sports drink.

The key is to stay properly hydrated, eat before you get hungry and rest when you need to.

[mimitabby]

Well, I haven't done 100 miles proper... but I've done 70-80-85 miles... and I did it with a Camelbak and 2 water bottles. Of course, I filled up along the way.

When I ride, after the first hour (since I have breakfast in my tummy) my goal is to try to consume 200 calories an hour... that can be in the form of food/gels/sports drink.

The key is to stay properly hydrated, eat before you get hungry and rest when you need to.

KSH gives darn good advice. Camelbaks really make it easier to hydrate. But you're going to have to refill it from time to time!
it's really hard for me to eat enough to keep going all day; and oh yeah, a 6 hour century is REALLY FAST.. Typically, unless you are a reallly fast rider, figure about 12 mph ~ 8 hours. slower for lots of climbing, faster for tailwinds.
and headwinds can ruin everything.

[indysteel]

Others may have different approaches, but on the longer rides I've done, I've tried to keep my stops short. On hilly rides especially, my legs tend to get really tight and heavy if I stop for more than a few minutes. At the Horsey Hundred, I made the mistake of stopping at every rest stop and hanging out for a bit. Not only did it make the day really long, but it made the next few miles after the stop pure torture. Since then, I get in and get out in as little time as possible. A lot of organized rides have very frequent SAGs. It's nice to know that they're there, but you don't necessarily have to stop at each of them IMO.

[luvs2ride]

Hello Wiseowl,
I am new to cycling after running 4 marathons. My husband and I just completed our first century in Lake Tahoe, CA in June 07. I have to say that both marathons and centuries are challenging in different ways. I found biking to be harder because of all of the mechanical things I needed to know: such as changing tires, shifting properly, throwing my chain, etc. You don't have those kinds of problems with running. For me, I've struggled with more aches and pains with my running and find it to be much harder on my body than riding. I took me 5-6 hours to do my marathons and 9 1/2 hours to complete our century (about 7 hours of ride time-7,000 feet of climbing). It took WAY longer to completed an endurance event on the bike!! The "plus" was that I was able to walk normally after 100 miles-not so after running 26.2miles. The "down side" was that sitting after a century was very painful for me!!! Like I said, they are challenging in different ways. To be honest, I'm kinda "hooked" on the bike, which I've found to be much more "forgiving" on my aging body. While my running days are not over, I'm spending more time on the bike (can also do it with my husband-couldn't get him to run if his life depended on it !!!). Anyway, good luck!! I've found that a running background can really enhance your cycling. And yes, you can "hit a wall" in both running and cycling!!!

Blessings!
Susan

[Pedal Wench]

Also, should you take in carbs every 30 or 45 minutes--stuff like Carb-boom, Cliff shots, or more substantial chewy fun food?

Whatever you can stomach! Really, you'll want to alternate so you don't get bored, and really whatever makes you happy. I use centuries as an excuse to try out all the new bad candybars, although I pay for that with the sugar-crash that usually follows. Oh well.

[sundial]

Ok, so at a supported century I should be able to fill up the CamelBak, right? Or is it better to carry bottles? And I have one of those funny Gel Bots. Should I take in the gel a little at a time or just gulp it down? Oh, why can't there be an ice cream truck that travels with the riders.

[sundial]

I use centuries as an excuse to try out all the new bad candybars, although I pay for that with the sugar-crash that usually follows. Oh well.

Have you tried the new PayDay sport candy bars? Snickers Marathon. Oooh, you are a bad influence.

[Starfish]

I'm still trying to figure out my on the bike eating schedule though. Any suggestion?

My biggest suggestion would be to keep (sanely) increasing your long rides on the weekends per one of the gazillion century training plans out there...and REALLY use those long rides to learn what your body needs/likes. I cannot stress that enough. MUCH better to have the runs on local training rides where you know where the bushes are! MUCH better to find out locally if the same gel that works for you on packet #1 in hour 2 still works great by packet #5 in hour 7. All that kind of thing.

For the century I did last weekend, I chose not to eat ANY of the wonderfully tempting food they had at the stops, with the exception of 1/2 banana (which I had used in training successfully). I can get digestive upset, so I simply decided to carry ALL my own food & electrolytes...needing only water at the stops. It was very hard for me to pass up all the beautiful fresh fruit and yummy cookies they had, as well as the sandwich makings...but, I just didn't want to tempt an upset stomach.

I planned on needing 200 calories/hour, but it turns out I had way too much food left over when I got done. I expected to be out for 12-13 hours (lot of climbing, slow rider). I did the 200 calories x 12 hours = 2400 calories to carry. Then, because I felt nervous, I threw in 2 extra bars for 2900 to carry. It was way too much.

Next time, I will carry about 150 calories per expected hour on the bike. When I got done with the ride, I wasn't even hungry. I had just fueled ALL day. And, I don't like to eat too many calories at once, so rather than eat 1 bar every 45 minutes to an hour, I will eat a bite or two every 15 minutes. It gets a little tedious, but my tummy can get upset.

I used a combination of: yogurt & almonds (1st 10 mile stop, early a.m.), payday bars, power bars, CarbBoom gel, banana, almonds, Clif Shot Bloks, water, and nuun electrolyte tablets (in one of the water bottles only, but all day long, alternating bottles).

Oh, and one last thing...I don't know if this is pertinent to your ride or not, but I tried to eat more of the solids at the top of my climbs before descending, so I could digest more of the solid foods on the downhill, with a lower heart rate and lower exertion.