Hmmm. I just rode 53 miles yesterday. My what a long way I've come. I started in 2006 and remember building my long miles. You'll do fine with your training plan. Before you know it, you'll be training for the full century next year! Haha! I've done several centuries now, one with 7500 feet of climbing, which I never thought a sane person would in a million years "choose" to do. But somehow I found myself signing up for it, doing it and then going back to do it again the following year. That would be Heartbreak Hundred in the L.A. area. It's part of the King of the Mountain series, which includes another equally miserable sounding ride, Breathless Agony ... and then there's Mulhulland. Those two are even more climbing than Heartbreak and I keep debating about doing the whole series, which my crazy climbing husband has done more than once ... and very fast.

The reason I say all this is to show you how one thing leads to another in this sport. Right now, 53 miles may sound daunting, but it's possible that some day 53 miles could be very easy for you and you might find yourself going out and riding 100 with some friends just for fun! Or not. Not everyone gets into endurance miles, even if they ride a lot and/or even race. Which reminds me. I also never thought in a million years I'd race. But I did three road races last year. WOW! Not very fast compared to the rest of the pack, but I did it. Another kind of challenge that I can't believe I did.

Thanks for the heads up on Grand Fondo. I've never done it before and just might. Could be good training for Heartbreak in May if I decide to do it this year ... which I probably will ... cause I kind of have to see how much better I can do it. Can you tell I have a competitive streak?!

If you decide you want to do a century after Grand Fondo, Amtrak is a good first century. Your friends are probably familiar with it. It starts in Irvine and ends in San Diego. You have to register in June on a specific day and it fills up within an hour or two (unless you don't need to take the train back to Irvine).

Good luck with your training. I think you have a good plan.