Training for Century

[MojoGrrl]

So, I am planning on doing my first century ride in 7 weeks. I have done a metric century, and feel pretty good about my riding and my ability to get into condition by the time of the event. My question is, what kind of schedule should I be doing to prepare? I haven't been able to ride more than 3 times a week, and I haven't been doing a whole lot lately...20 mile rides mostly. I know I should be up to doing a 70-80 mile ride about a week before the century, but how should I be working up to that?

[skywalkerbeth]

I am wondering too... I'm at 30 and have 11 weeks to go.

My plan (not sure if it's a good one) is to step up by 5 miles each Saturday and then make Sunday "half of Saturday". Meaning 35/17; 40/20; 45/22; 50/25, and so on... too much?

[blue_angel]

I am wondering too... I'm at 30 and have 11 weeks to go.

My plan (not sure if it's a good one) is to step up by 5 miles each Saturday and then make Sunday "half of Saturday". Meaning 35/17; 40/20; 45/22; 50/25, and so on... too much?

I think that's too little. I increased my long ride by 15 miles per week on a 7 week training plan. Since you have 11 weeks, you could do 10 miles per week. Of course this should be tempered by what you know about your own fitness level and capacity.

[TrekTheKaty]

Most training programs recommend increasing by 10% each week, so 5/week sounds about right. However, a long ride of 60ish is sufficient, so if you've completed a metric, you're there. Anything above that is a bonus.

[blue_angel]

Most training programs recommend increasing by 10% each week, so 5/week sounds about right. However, a long ride of 60ish is sufficient, so if you've completed a metric, you're there. Anything above that is a bonus.

I have heard this advice, and frankly, I don't believe it is good advice unless you are also riding at least 120 miles per week. Riding 60 miles feels almost nothing like 100 miles, and even my longest training ride of 75 miles felt inadequate compared to the full century. Of course a lot of this will depend on your overall fitness levels and your strength as a rider.

I used Selene Yeager's century training plan from "Every Woman's Guide to Cycling." She recommended not exceeding an increase to your total weekly mileage of more than 10%, which is different from increasing your long ride by only 10%.

[ny biker]

Really, if you're only increasing rides by 5 miles at a time, then suddenly going up by 40 miles is huge. That's an extra 2-3 hours of riding, maybe more. It is a mental challenge as well as a physical challenge.

My longest training rides for centuries were 80-90 miles.