I have done 4 centuries so far this year. Two of which seemed easy and effortless...the other 2, not so much. The key for me, is that I never plan to do a century when I set out on a ride. Because knowing that I have 100 miles to ride at the start of a ride, will totally get myself psyched out and I won't be able to do it. All of my centuries happened when I just decide on a whim, at a certain point in my ride (usually around the 75 or 80 mile mark), that I've come this far so surely I can crank out another 15 or 20 miles. I too, struggle with dialing in my nutrition correctly on long rides. I start every ride out with a big bowl of plain oatmeal with a small sliced banana in it, a small dollop of natural PB, and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Sometimes, I will also have a hard-boiled egg white.

On long rides, frequent rest stops are key for me. I only bring 1 21oz. bottle filled with some type of electrolyte drink like Heed or GU20. My routes always take me past many gas stations, so I always plan on refilling my bottle whenever we stop. At stops, I usually refill with G2, diluted Gatorade, or plain water...and lots of ice. I will nibble on something, too...depends on what I bring along with me. I always bring a package of some type of energy "chew" like Shot Blocs, Honey Stingers, Sport Beans, or Luna Moons. In addition to that, I also bring either some "mini" Lara Bars or I'll cut up a standard Clif Bar into 4 smaller pieces and will eat 2 pieces at each stop. And finally, depending on how I feel...I sometimes bring a PB & Honey Uncrustable (soooo yummy!). Sometimes I end up eating everything I bring....sometimes not. All depends on what my body needs on any given day.