When you say "how long" do you mean how long it took to actually complete the ride or how long had we been riding before we completed a century? It took me about 7.5 hours to do my first century, but it was hilly, and I made the mistake (or what I consider to be a mistake) of spending too much time at rest stops.

Which one did you sign up for and what kind of mileage are you currently able to ride comfortably?

My best advice is to gradually increase your mileage over the coming weeks until about a week or so before the event. Then rest that last week. If you can't get in xtra long training rides, think about doing back-to-back weekend rides. And if you can do both, then do that. When I was riding a bit more than I am now, I often did two 65 or so mile rides each weekend. That often provided sufficient mileage for far longer rides.

My longest training ride prior to doing my first century was about 75 miles if memory serves, and that was sufficient to get through the. But I'm not going to lie, the last 30 miles weren't easy. My first century was hillier than what I often ride, so the hills provided an additonal challenge. If your century is hilly, then obviously, the more you train on hilly terrain, the better off you'll be.

Training for a century isn't just about getting time in the saddle. It's about learning what and when to eat and drink. The longer the ride, the more disciplined you need to be about hydrating and staying on top of your nutritional needs. You'll likely discover along the way, that your stomach will tolerate some food and beverages better than others. It's better to work out those details prior to the event.

In October, you can also anticipate--depending on where you're riding--greatly fluctuating temperatures throughout the ride, along with less daylight hours. So, your training will also have to tackle the dilemma of what to wear. Think layers.

But have fun. Event rides can be a blast, and I would suggest trying to enjoy the scenery and comraderie that you'll likely encounter.