Once You Ride A Century It All Changes!

[zoom-zoom]

It's kinda funny...I ran 3 marathons and found them to be insanely difficult and sorta miserable, for me (I never could get beyond the 22 mile mark without horrid calf cramps). But riding across the state of MI (~147 miles) was challenging and fun. I have friends who run marathons on a regular basis and are totally in awe of my cross-state ride. I am in awe of people who run marathons with relative frequency and enjoy being on their feet for so many miles.

I love working up to century rides. Part of what I love is the sociability of it. I don't mind running alone for hours (with audiobooks on the iPod), but I really loathe riding for more than maybe 2 hours by myself. When I've done century rides they've all been with my hubby and friends...like a rolling party!

[Owlie]

Still haven't managed as much as a metric, though that's in the works this summer, if I can keep this abdominal muscle happy. I think a big part of it is mental. It took me a year to break the 30-mile mental barrier, then another year to break the 40-mile barrier. My brain is weird.
My own issue is that I ride alone, and that gets super boring after a while. I'm also a slowpoke and just having time for rides that are that long--never mind the training--is a little difficult, being a student.

[Catrin]

...I love working up to century rides. Part of what I love is the sociability of it. I don't mind running alone for hours (with audiobooks on the iPod), but I really loathe riding for more than maybe 2 hours by myself. When I've done century rides they've all been with my hubby and friends...like a rolling party!

I can see this! I think that, for me, the key of riding longer than a metric is to ride with friends...but my speed really does impact finding someone willing to ride that long at my average pace of 13 to 13.5. I am getting faster on my Gunnar but my very upright riding position limits me in that department, especially in the wind. Riding by myself a metric is plenty long enough for a solo ride and I want to do at least a couple this year.

[Melalvai]

I agree with breaking it up into smaller parts. I see a century as two 50-mile rides. Since my bike is slow (or, if you ask her, her engine is slow!), a century would (and did) take me 10 hours. That's a LONG time to be on a bike. All my long rides, the century as well as the 10-day trip to Omaha and back, were done with plenty of breaks.

One lesson I learned is if you stop for a meal, you need extra time after you've finished eating to digest. That's probably true of snacks as well.

[itself]

I would love to do the RAGBRAI. It sounds like a hoot with a lot of fun people. That being said, I have other interests such as hiking, kayaking and guitars. So as much as I love to ride, I don't want to spend all day on my bike every Saturday as some do. It's moderation and life balance for me!

[Jo-n-NY]

I am in the same boat as many. I have 5 centuries under my belt. The last 2 yrs the longest ride were metrics. That is the perfect distance for me where I have to push a bit from mile 50 but don't feel knocked out at the end. It is mile 75 where I have had more than enough time on the bike.

This year I signed up for yet again a century Ride to Montauk since the way it is set up it is too inconvenient to ride the metric. However, for the first time in years I am excited about it. I completed my sub challenge and rode the bike 100 consecutive days (full challenge is 300 for the year no less than 10 miles since some rides are on the trainer). I feel stronger and hope to do the century in less time.

Like Marni said, part is mental and I have it in my head that it is a day to be on the bike and stopping to take a break every 25 miles. After that 75th mile I will stop to stretch and enjoy the scenery if need be. Now lets hope it works.

[Jaclyn]

I rode about a dozen or so centuries every year for a couple of years until a few years ago. It also felt like a challenge and I was usually concerned about an upcoming century.

Then I entered my first 24 hour ride five years ago. The goal was just to do longer than I'd ever done (108 miles). Managed 252!

Since then I've become a randonneur and did the super randonneur series in 2010 & 2011 (200km, 300km, 400km, 600km). And the first 1000 kms of PBP (sadly dnf'd at second to last control). "Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."

For me, breaking thru the barrier of a century was the hardest part. Most "long" rides that we see and hear about are a maximum of 100 miles. I thought that was the limit. Once I learned that I could ride beyond 100, the long rides have been much easier. Now riding a 100 miles is just a ride like any other. (I rarely even think "I'm riding xx miles." I think "I'm riding 42 miles to the next control.")

[nscrbug]

Wow Jaclyn...your cycling distances are admirable! For that last 4 years that I've been seriously cycling, my riding buddy and I have aimed to ride a 100-miler each month from May to Sept/Oct. I have tried to treat each century, as just another ride...but I still struggle with that. Centuries don't come easy for me, so I will always consider them to be a challenge...no matter how many I've done.

Linda

[azfiddle]

I did my first century in November 2011- also El Tour de Tucson. In January I rode a 200k brevet, and in February I rode another century (under very windy conditions!). Having done one, the next one definitely seemed less intimidating.

Actually, I think the thought riding to the top of Mt. Lemmon (over 60 miles and 8000 feet of climbing, in one day was more intimidating, but now that I have done it once, I don't have any doubts I can do it again.

[Owlie]

I can see this! I think that, for me, the key of riding longer than a metric is to ride with friends...but my speed really does impact finding someone willing to ride that long at my average pace of 13 to 13.5. I am getting faster on my Gunnar but my very upright riding position limits me in that department, especially in the wind. Riding by myself a metric is plenty long enough for a solo ride and I want to do at least a couple this year.

Come ride with me! I'm a slowpoke!

[Roadtrip]

Come ride with me! I'm a slowpoke!

There she goes again trying to make us think she matches the critter in her profile pic!! Yeaaaaaaaaa

[Catrin]

Come ride with me! I'm a slowpoke!

I've heard about your being a slowpoke (not) Seriously though, you are too far away...and with gas prices as they are it makes it difficult to go on road trips as often as I once did

[Owlie]

I've heard about your being a slowpoke (not) Seriously though, you are too far away...and with gas prices as they are it makes it difficult to go on road trips as often as I once did

Yeah, I know. However, if you ever feel the overwhelming need to come to Yellow Springs, well...

[Catrin]

Wish I could ride with you and Owlie!

Goldfinch, where are you located?

Yeah, I know. However, if you ever feel the overwhelming need to come to Yellow Springs, well...

I do really enjoy Yellow Springs and Young's Dairy. I think it would be great to have a little group trail ride with you, Roadtrip, and any other interested Ohio or Indiana TE member to take advantage of both. Someday...

[Slowspoke]

My longest so far has be 68 very hilly (for Michigan) miles. It was the 3rd day of a 365 mile tour. I got 2 miles from the end and had to get off my bike, shed a couple tears, get back on and go! LOL How's that for big girl panties? I haven't been riding too much in the last couple years but am feeling the pull again! Now I want to do a century. I have a vague idea that I will do one in September. It does seem so very long and I am pretty slow!