How long?

[GLC1968]

Well, I fall into the I-hope-to-do-a-century- camp. So far my longest ride was 72 miles. It's only my second consecutive season, though. I was just thinking about how long, in terms of seasons, before one can do pretty much anything on a bike.

I'm not sure it's necessarily how long one's been riding...but what type of riding they do. I did two centuries my second season of biking because I trained to do them. I did two my third season, because I trained a little, and because I knew I could. This year (my fourth of biking), I'm not sure I could do a century. I've been riding entirely differently (for utility), so I haven't been able to do the long rides I think I would need to be comfortable doing centuries. Could I do a long tour? Probably. Could I have done the Livestrong century this past weekend (it went right by my house!)...no, not likely. Will I be doing centuries next biking season? Probably, because I miss those long rides. After my commute changes to 40 miles a day next month, I imagine that I'll be capable of doing centuries by the end of this summer, if I have the time to spare.

I think a lot of it is the type of riding one does and a lot of it is mental.

Edited to add: Being comfortable on a bike for long hours takes conditioning too. My bike is perfectly fitted to me, but because I haven't been riding it for long hours, I'm not comfortable for long hours. My legs could do it, my butt could do it...but my body would HATE me even though I know my bike is well suited to me and long distance rides.