Quote Originally Posted by Espresso View Post
Thanks, guys! I have been trying to listen to my body. I think it's easier since I'm not planning on any events (yet!), so I know I can put off my first century as long as I need to.
Espresso, your first event ride doesn't have to be a century. Most of the century event rides have other routes also, a metric, a half-century and a short ride of 20-45 miles. Sign up for a short ride because cycling in an event ride is a lot of fun, meeting other types of cyclists, getting caught up in the excitement of the ride, and completing a short ride is just as meaningful as completing a full century; make the short ride your long ride for the week, part of your training for the century. However don't assume that a short ride is easy because it is short. Many of the short rides go over difficult terrain and may have a lot of climbing. And don't assume cyclists on a short ride are all new or inexperienced, because many experienced cyclists choose a short ride for a variety of reasons.