Wow! Thanks everyone. This is more info than I found searching the internet or at the bookstore.

Thanks for the mileage plans. Those look doable and close to what I'm planning. If I make it, great--if not I'll pick a different century.

I'd love to do a metric century but there isn't one with my husband's century. I didn't think to do one for training. I know there are some coming up. I'm pretty sure I could do that mileage right now.

We've learn to eat and ride. We used to go out and ride to a diner for breakfast, but we were tiring of the greasy stomacheaches we had when we got back. Now we pack hard-boiled eggs, cheese/sausage/crackers, oj/starbucks doubleshot, yogurt, fruit and nuts (with energy bars and gatorade for quick snacks and gu for emergencies--from my running days). Jelly belly cherry caffeine for the final sprint. Husband just switched over to Cytomax. Does this sound close? What do they serve at these things? My problem is I'm a celiac, so I can't have pasta, sandwiches, bagels, etc. My sister is planning on driving the family swag wagon.

This summer is my first time on the roads. For the last 4 weeks, I've been riding my "hills" out of the subdivision, along some moderately travelled side roads that lead to an industrial park. My husband rides behind me and "blocks." However, a pickup truck in a round-about (Missouri people don't know how to do round-abouts--they either plow through at full speed or sit and wait for an engraved invitation) came VERY close to me. I wasn't worried, because I saw him coming, but my husband didn't like it. I've been threatening to order one of those "flash flags" that you stick out your left rear but he thought I would look like a geek. He rolled up beside me and asked if I had ordered it yet! I also did the Midnight Ramble a few weeks ago and that was my first "group" ride. I refer to it as my "skills training." I made it through without wrecking. We are headed out tomorrow on the street bike for a 40-miler on the pavement--to evaluate where I'm at. I can't imagine doing 75 miles on the gravel (we figure it slows us down about 2 mph).

The century is Ride the Rivers (trailnet.org/century.php) October should be beautiful here--that's why I'm aiming for this one. We usually just have two seasons in St. Louis--sweltering (summer) and ice (winter), but it's been a mild summer. There is very little info on their website, even though they have been doing this for 4 years. We checked motionbased, mapmyride and the local bike forums and haven't been able to get any more info, not even a map. We do know that it starts in St. Charles along the river and is supposed to follow the "Greenways" and includes two ferry crossings, Route 66 and the Arch--so it should be relatively flat along the river. Any other ideas where to find info?

I do have clipless pedals! I LOVE them. They were a desperate attempt to gain any ground on my husband with my hybrid. I wiped out a few times, much to my dh's amusement (I only wipe out in front of other serious cyclists) but they do increase my speed and have actually saved me from wrecking a few times (person in front slams on the brakes, but my feet didn't come off the pedals so I was able to stay upright and recover!) When I test rode the street bikes without them, it took me a second to get started. I'm just used to clipping in and go, without thinking about it! I upgraded my new bike to the double sided clips, which is much easier. (I rode the whole midnight ramble--17 miles, with my left foot unclipped, because I was just sure some stupid kid would cut me off and I'd need to bail off quick. I had a blister on the inside of my right toe when we were done from pulling with one foot).

You guys gave me lots to work on. Rest days usually come when work interferes with play, but the longer distances are starting to require more planning. Keep up the great tips! This forum is awesome............