Training to Century Ride Day ?Mileage Span?

[Veronica]

2. Who has the largest gap or a very large gap of miles between a training ride and a century? How did the ride go for you?

I jumped from 60 to 160 miles this year. It was suppose to be 187 miles, but my knee couldn't take it.

But I've done doubles in the past so it doesn't really count.

V.

[cycliste]

I did my first centuries last summer, the Seattle to Portland (STP) ride. (Back to back 100 mile days.) My longest prior ride that year was around 40 miles; longest ever ride before that was 55 miles in 2006.
I hadn't followed a training plan, and hadn't had much time to prepare. I made it through the ride, I think, because of dumb stubborness, and because my kids were waiting at the finish line. I took my time, and ate small snacks frequently. I'll always remember the pepsi on ice I drank in a saloon somewhere along the road - it was wonderful. By the way, I discovered that I was able to accomplish alot more than my mind thought I could do, as long I could ignore the suffering.
I was sore and tired for a couple of weeks after. This year I'm actually following a training plan.
I'm 40+ years old, so didn't have youth on my side.