Riding a century

How far do people generally ride before riding a century? I ask because my
ride this Sunday is 100km, but I can also ride 100 miles. I'm thinking of
riding the 100 miles instead of the 100km. My long rides have been 55
miles (last week), 50 miles (the week before), 45 miles (two weeks ago)...
I only ride about 4 days a week, the other 3 days being about 20 miles a
day. Is this enough riding to ride 100 miles?

Thanks.

--
Bob M in CT
Remove 'x.' to reply

I've done centuries accidentally just running diverse errands. A couple
of 25-mile distant round trips and there you are. It still takes a while
though.

Numb butt or hands is the most likely indicator of having done one by
mistake.
--
Ron Hardin


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 17:59:21 +0000, Bob M wrote:

How far do people generally ride before riding a century? I ask because
my ride this Sunday is 100km, but I can also ride 100 miles. I'm thinking
of riding the 100 miles instead of the 100km. My long rides have been 55
miles (last week), 50 miles (the week before), 45 miles (two weeks
ago)...

If these represent high-water marks for you, then I would be uncomfortable
recommending that you ride a century. I'd like to see you have some 75+
mile rides in your legs first.

If, though, the ride is fairly flat you might be OK. Your butt will be
sore, as will your hands, but you will be OK. If, on the other hand, it
is quite hilly, you should consider seriously whether or not this would be
fun for you.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | We have a record of conquest, colonization and expansion
_`\(,_ | unequalled by any people in the Nineteenth Century. We are not
(_)/ (_) | to be curbed now. --Henry Cabot Lodge, 1895

On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 17:59:21 GMT, Bob M wrote:

How far do people generally ride before riding a century? I ask because
my ride this Sunday is 100km, but I can also ride 100 miles. I'm
thinking of riding the 100 miles instead of the 100km. My long rides
have been 55 miles (last week), 50 miles (the week before), 45 miles (two
weeks ago)... I only ride about 4 days a week, the other 3 days being
about 20 miles a day. Is this enough riding to ride 100 miles?

Thanks.


Well, I've found out that the 100km ride is about 56 miles, with 4,900 feet
of climbing, while the 100 mile ride is about 92 miles with 7,400 feet of
climbing. I rode 55 miles last week, but I don't know how much climbing
there was, although there's a lot. So, I'll probably stick to the 56
miles, especially if it rains.

--
Bob M in CT
Remove 'x.' to reply

"Bob M" wrote in message
news
How far do people generally ride before riding a century? I ask because
my
ride this Sunday is 100km, but I can also ride 100 miles. I'm thinking of
riding the 100 miles instead of the 100km. My long rides have been 55
miles (last week), 50 miles (the week before), 45 miles (two weeks ago)...
I only ride about 4 days a week, the other 3 days being about 20 miles a
day. Is this enough riding to ride 100 miles?

Cetaris paribus I wouldn't consider going from 55 miles to 100 miles too
much of a leap if you're comfortable at 55. [you're not completely exhausted
and drained afterwards] But I'd still recommend you leave the day free for
recuperation.

--
'Sell your sin
Just cash in' -Jewell

On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 20:42:19 GMT, bgaudet0801
wrote:


"Bob M" wrote in message
news
How far do people generally ride before riding a century? I ask because
my
ride this Sunday is 100km, but I can also ride 100 miles. I'm thinking
of
riding the 100 miles instead of the 100km. My long rides have been 55
miles (last week), 50 miles (the week before), 45 miles (two weeks ago)
...
I only ride about 4 days a week, the other 3 days being about 20 miles a
day. Is this enough riding to ride 100 miles?

Cetaris paribus I wouldn't consider going from 55 miles to 100 miles too
much of a leap if you're comfortable at 55. [you're not completely
exhausted
and drained afterwards] But I'd still recommend you leave the day free
for
recuperation.

--
'Sell your sin
Just cash in' -Jewell




Thanks. I'm definitely thinking about the 100 miles, but it is (I found
out) another 2,400 feet of climbing. If it rains (which it's supposed to --
as of today, but this is New England, and the forecast changes hourly),
then I'll probably ride the 100km.

--
Bob M in CT
Remove 'x.' to reply

"Bob M" wrote:

How far do people generally ride before riding a century? I ask because
my
ride this Sunday is 100km, but I can also ride 100 miles. I'm thinking of
riding the 100 miles instead of the 100km. My long rides have been 55
miles (last week), 50 miles (the week before), 45 miles (two weeks ago)...
I only ride about 4 days a week, the other 3 days being about 20 miles a
day. Is this enough riding to ride 100 miles?

You might be able to complete it, but I doubt you would enjoy it. How did
you feel at the end of the 50 miler? Could you have done it again when you
got to the end?

Generally, you want to do several rides of 50 miles, and at least one
around 75-80 miles before attempting a century.

It seems to me that 100k (62 miles) would be the perfect ride for you at
this point. Then maybe 75 miles the following weekend, and THEN 100 miles
the weekend after that.

Good luck,
Art Harris

On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 21:33:03 GMT, Harris wrote:


"Bob M" wrote:

How far do people generally ride before riding a century? I ask because
my
ride this Sunday is 100km, but I can also ride 100 miles. I'm thinking
of
riding the 100 miles instead of the 100km. My long rides have been 55
miles (last week), 50 miles (the week before), 45 miles (two weeks ago)
...
I only ride about 4 days a week, the other 3 days being about 20 miles a
day. Is this enough riding to ride 100 miles?

You might be able to complete it, but I doubt you would enjoy it. How did
you feel at the end of the 50 miler? Could you have done it again when
you
got to the end?

Generally, you want to do several rides of 50 miles, and at least one
around 75-80 miles before attempting a century.

It seems to me that 100k (62 miles) would be the perfect ride for you at
this point. Then maybe 75 miles the following weekend, and THEN 100 miles
the weekend after that.

Good luck,
Art Harris




Thanks, that was what I was aiming for -- I have a 100km this weekend, then
a ride that's 55 Saturday and 60 Sunday, then I was thinking one more
longer ride, then a century. The only problem is that the centuries are
basically over in New England in September. So, I'll have to ride one
myself (which isn't bad, but it's nice to have support and bathrooms).

--
Bob M in CT
Remove 'x.' to reply

"Bob M" wrote in message
news
How far do people generally ride before riding a century? I ask because
my
ride this Sunday is 100km, but I can also ride 100 miles. I'm thinking of
riding the 100 miles instead of the 100km. My long rides have been 55
miles (last week), 50 miles (the week before), 45 miles (two weeks ago)...
I only ride about 4 days a week, the other 3 days being about 20 miles a
day. Is this enough riding to ride 100 miles?


Bob,

My training regimen for my first almost double century (100 miles day one,
75 day two, mostly flat day one, rolling hills day two) was three months of
one fast 30 miler every weekend added to my normal daily commute. Keep in
mind that I had been commuting for several years by this point and was in
good shape overall. The point is that you can probably handle it if you are
in decent shape.

Good Luck,
Buck

Bob M wrote:
How far do people generally ride before riding a century? I ask because
my ride this Sunday is 100km, but I can also ride 100 miles. I'm
thinking of riding the 100 miles instead of the 100km. My long rides
have been 55 miles (last week), 50 miles (the week before), 45 miles
(two weeks ago)... I only ride about 4 days a week, the other 3 days
being about 20 miles a day. Is this enough riding to ride 100 miles?


If you felt ok and no aching of any kind after those 50mi rides, then I
would think you probably can do 100mi. Any minor discomfort in a short
ride will amplify by an order of magnitude on a century ride. So make
sure the seat and handlebar are adjusted optimaly before the ride. And
try to go a little slower in the first half.