Century this wknd...need advice

[pranachick]

For those of you who have done a alot of riding, this may be a really dumb question. I may be stressing over nothing. I just started riding in February. Since then I have ridden a little over 1600 miles and did the Santa Fe Century 3 weeks ago (with DH).

So here's my question/dilemma....since the SF Century I've been traveling alot for work and I've only gotten in 186 miles in (avg - 62 miles a week for the last three weeks). Also, DH is in the Tetons this weekend so I'll be riding it alone...we recently moved to Albuquerque and I don't know anyone who is riding in the century. Do I down grade to the metric century or will my base prior to May carry me through?

Thanks!!!!!!

[maillotpois]

How does the climbing compare to the one you did? If it is similar (or less), you'll be fine.

[pranachick]

How does the climbing compare to the one you did? If it is similar (or less), you'll be fine.

I did not even think about that. Santa Fe's century has 4880 feet in elevation gain. Tomorrow's is only 2930 feet gain. The highest grade %tomorrow will be 6% (Santa Fe's toughest...and it was tough was 17%). Thanks for the response!

[Aggie_Ama]

I find a lot of it for me is mental. Last year I did four centuries and some with much less of a base than others. I believe the last one I did not have nearly the miles of the others (maybe 200 in the month before) but had one of the better times and it was the hilliest. For me telling myself to enjoy the ride and doing it helps. Telling myself it is no big deal since I already have one that year works for me.

[indysteel]

I bet you'll be fine to do the century. Don't go out too fast, focus on eating and drinking enough and taking breaks as necessary.

Do you have to choose your route at the start or can you make a decision later in the ride based on how you feel?

Have a great ride. And it sounds like you've taken cycling up with some gusto. Way to go!

[ny biker]

I think you'll be fine. In fact you're probably better off for taking a bit of a break for the past several weeks.

I do most rides alone. Even when I start riding with friends, I wind up getting dropped at some point. Sometimes I find myself riding at the same pace as a stranger and we start chatting and wind up riding together. Or you just say hi to people as you pass them or they pass you.

Have a good meal the night before and try to get plenty of sleep, and then just relax and have a good time. Good luck!

[momof4greatkids]

You will be fine w/your base. In fact, the tapering you've done in the past few weeks will give you an advantage on this century.

Even though you are starting this ride "alone" you will make fast friends along the way.

let us know how you do!

Colleen

[pranachick]

Ladies - thanks sooooo much for the insight. I now feel much better about tomorrow. Since moving here I've either ridden by myself or with DH. Since reading your comments I am now hoping I'll meet a few gals on the ride to chat with. Well, off to pick up my race packet.

[pranachick]

I do most rides alone. Even when I start riding with friends, I wind up getting dropped at some point. Sometimes I find myself riding at the same pace as a stranger and we start chatting and wind up riding together. Or you just say hi to people as you pass them or they pass you.

hmmmm, y'know come to think of it...my husband would have TOTALLY dropped me during the Santa Fe Century had a few of his riding buddies been there (so I would have been alone and he would have been at the finish line drinking a beer and waiting). Because it was the two of us, he waited at the rest stops for me and rode with me (ie...I completely drafted) on the flats.

[pranachick]

Again...thanks everyone for your tips and insight into my inquiry. So it's done, I did it. It was actually easier than the Santa Fe Century (however, less scenic). So the race pretty much passes by my house (a 1/4 mile up the road) at mile 83. I decided to just start from my house instead of wasting gas driving to the start line. I assumed (as I'd never ridden this section of town) it would take 30 minutes give/take for stoplights to get to the start. Big bad assumption...lots of lights and I got lost as they had not marked the end of the route yet. Lesson learned...bring the map! I did not get to the official starting line until 740am...the start was at 7am.

Since this only my second century...I only have one other for comparison. Santa Fe's is huge...lots of people, lots of chatting, big open roads. Today's ride went through the urban, the suburban and a bit the rural parts of Albuquerque. We were on city streets alot so there was much traffic. However, not alot of participants means no lines at the porta potties...that was awesome. I only spent a total of 33 minutes in the rest stops.

I thought the worst part would be riding alone, but that was not so bad. (I also realized how nice it was to draft behind DH a few weeks ago...I pretty much rode alone all day).The worst part was actually the last climb. Now mind you, if had I started the ride at the "official" start, this climb would have been at mile 79, instead I started the climb at mile 94...with 8 miles left to go. The hill gains 1500 feet in 5 miles...urgh at the end of a LONG ride.

Total miles 105.1...total ride time 7 hr 21 mins (total time with rest stops 7 hr 53 mins). Total ascent 3901 ft. Not a bad day all in all. Now I am ready for some fajitas and a margarita...I've been waiting for it all week.

Cheers

[Geonz]

Great job!!! Especially without drafting!

If you're a little nervous about having enough... you're less likely to go out too fast. I bet the ride to the ride was nerve-wracking!