three months enough to train for century?

[Elrona]

Hi folks. I've been taking spinning classes 3x per week this winter and working on abs/arms. Not in tremendous shape but not terrible either- I have a visible six pack, can keep up w/folks in class, etc. Also relatively new to biking- clipless are a challenge and still have to master getting in and out, although I'm much better than I was a month ago when I first got my new bike (Trek Madone 5.0 WSD).

Anyway, my question is this: there is a century in Santa Fe NM on May 20, which gives me three months to train. Do you think this is enough time for someone in my circumstances or should I sit this one out and wait for one in the summer? I don't want a bad experience to spoil my enthusiasm, you know?

Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, I have learned much from these discussion forums already- very happy I registered!

[lacyliz]

My guess - and I do mean guess - is that a Century in the summer or even Fall (when there are usaully many) would be better. I have known a couple of people who did more than they should have and felt a little turned off to cycling.

I just started cycling a year ago and skipped the Empire State AIDS ride in August for the same reason (It's 560 miles in 7 days) - I love (an understatement) cycling and didn't want to be turned off. So, I'll be doing something like it this year instead and I feel pretty confident now.

I don't know about other riders - but spinning class is not the same as road riding for me - I do take spinning classes in the winter months here - just to keep the same muscle groups active - but climbing a real hill is different for me.

However, if you do decide to do it - It's recommended (from vereything I've read and trainers I know) that you train by riding 5-6 days per week, increasing your mileage by about 10-11% a week, working your way up so that you can ride at least 80 or so miles. Maybe the club you're riding with would have a recommended training schedule for the century.

Since I've only been cycling a year, it will probably be good to see opinions from some more experienced riders on the forum, too. Good Luck!

[maillotpois]

I would also suggest waiting - not so much from a fitness standpoint, but simply because you don't have a lot of time on the bike under your belt.

Being completely comfortable riding outside, among other people, etc. is going to be very important for an outdoor century ride. You may be in good enough shape to do the ride in three months, but will you be comfortable enough using your pedals, riding next to other riders, climbing, descending, etc.? My recollection is that the Santa Fe century has at least one quite notable climb. Will you have enough time practicing eating and drinking on the bike so that you are comfortable doing that? It's critical to be able to drink while riding.

So I'd suggest getting more time in riding outside, at least 5 months, before you do a century.

BUT - if you start riding now and you pick up these skills quickly, then you can probably do it. I just think that the bike handling is the critical component here that you may be lacking in such a short lead time.

[mtkitchn]

I'm thinking about doing that ride, so let me know if you decide to go for it so I can say hello!

[emily_in_nc]

I think you can do a flat century in three months training, I've done that -- but a hilly one may be a different matter. Sounds like you're in good shape, though, so if you're really motivated, and especially if you're young (or relatively so) and willing to put the training time in, it's certainly not out of the question. But you need to start training outdoors now, I think, if that's at all possible. If you can't get outdoors until April, it's going to be much, much harder, and you risk injury by doing too much, too fast.

Let us know what you decide to do! Is there a shorter option on the same ride, say, a metric century or a half-century, you could do to start with? Most new riders start with a metric, or even a half-metric, before doing their first century. It helps to gain experience with a shorter distance on an organized ride before heading out on a century. You'll be riding with less experienced riders like yourself on the shorter routes, and will probably feel a lot more comfortable during and AFTER the ride!

Good luck,
Emily

[melissam]

Well, Elrona, it depends.

Take a look at some of the Century Training schedules -- they're usually 10 week programs to get you ready for a century. Are you up to doing a schedule like this right now? Or do you need to get into shape to do the schedule?

Here's a sample schedule: http://www.diablocyclists.com/RiderT...ingProgram.htm

Are there hills on the century route? If so, you want to incorporate hill climbing into your training.

Do you want to put in the time & miles in order to get ready to ride a century? (This has been my major hurdle during the past couple of years.)

Maillotpois brings up some good points about bike handling skills and comfort with your bike on the road/with the clipless pedals. But don't despair! Are there bike clubs in your area where you could go on group rides? Anyone from your spin class who's an experienced road rider? Maybe they could take you under their wing and give you an accelerated course in road riding.

Does the ride you're considering have other mileage options? A metric century (100kms = 62 miles)? 30 miles?

I live in the SF Bay Area, and we have the infamous Cinderella Century in March. It's an all women's metric century. Several bike clubs in our area have training programs to get women ready for the ride (they teach bike handling skills as well as go on training rides.) They're generally 10 week programs, and they encourage beginners to join. The Cinderella Century is a pretty flat route. But still, it just goes to show you that you can go from being a relative newbie to riding a flat metric century in 10 weeks.

And then, you have these prodigies like TrekJeni! 'nuf said.

Good luck with your decision!

-- Melissa

[TrekJeni]

Well, Elrona, it depends.
And then, you have these prodigies like TrekJeni! 'nuf said.

Good luck with your decision!

-- Melissa

Hey there! Enough!

I'm no prodigy, I think I fall more into the stoopid catagory and should be the poster child for "this is the way NOT to do (insert action here)". I'm just crazier than most folks.

Just today a friend called up and jokingly said we should get the MTB's out and ride the paved bike trail. Well the paved bike trail is lost under inches of snow/ice/snow crap. I told him to saddle up! We fell a few times but learned REAL fast how to deal with sheets of ice. JUST GO STRAIGHT! NO BRAKES! My dog had a blast too.

Looking at the OP's first post on the "getting to know you thread" she lives in New Mexico. Lists running as a hobby. She's able to get outside and ride right now versus having to wait for all this white stuff to melt.

If there are other options on this ride, like the others said, I would train for the 100 but not feel bad about choosing one of the lesser mileages if need be.

After I responded, I wondered how many hills would be on this century. My first wasn't too bad. And Maillotpois brings up an excellent point about being comfortable with others. That is a biggie when riding organized rides.

Good luck!

[TrekJeni]

Everyone is different. Not recommending the way I jumped into it but it was doable for me. I was a 5 day a week gym rat getting bored with being inside. Saw a flyer for the local MS150 charity ride and said, "Hey I can do that!" Got out my Kmart front suspension Mongoose and off I went to train. Hmm, "I think I'll get me a new saddle for this thing!" The bike had sat, rusting in the garden shed for the last few years. Headed off to LBS. Owner of bike shop kind of looked at me in disbelief when I told him my goals. He did not however try and sell me a new bike. He said I could give it a go on the department store bike.

I think two weeks went by and I went back to the shop for something. Looking at the bikes I went into sticker shock. "Holy crap! Who would EVER spend $600 on a bike?" Little did I know, little did I know.... (the new bike I'm saving for is $4k!)

I was graduating with my degree and was supposed to pick out a saddle for horseback riding. Picked out a road bike instead. (never did get that saddle and that was in 2005.)

Did the MS150 and had a blast. Fast forward to now, less than 2 years since purchase of bike and have done countless centuries and more, a time trial, road races, and now have a MTB too. Oh and I now date the LBS's owners son!


"IF" you're in good enough shape, I would say go for it. It's plenty of time.

Jeni
disclaimer - if you don't have fun , don't blame me. It's just an opinion!

[kbgirl411]

Hi Elrona,
I just joined on this site too and glad I did in order to learn more. I just began cycling last May 2006, with a goal to do my first 100 miles for The Las Vegas Century, Oct 21, 2006. I trained/biked consistently at least 3 times a week, watching my food intake, logging and adding miles each month. Then smashed my bike about 4 weeks prior. Drats, no bike to train! This didn't stop me, since I was raising funds for the cause. So, got sponsored with a road bike, the weekend prior (to familiarize) and weekend of the century to complete a 1/2 Century-50 miles. My advice, is even if you feel you can't do the full Century...do the Metric or the 1/2. The cycling Century group's atmosphere is addicting. Enough to just enjoy plus motivate you to want to do more. This year, I'm working my way up the Centuries, by doing the Tour de Summerlin (35miles); Las Vegas Century (100miles); and the MS 150. So don't think about holding off to ride a Century....just start riding at any distance and you'll never regret it. By the way, am almost 50 and biking and walking is the only exercise I do. Good luck.