I've been riding bikes of one kind of another for the majority of my 60 years and ride at least 30- 50 miles a week with occasional weekend rides of 24-40 miles. Since I'm not getting any younger (even though my mind dosen't know it) I thought I'd ride my first century this year. If my training stays on schedule I plan on riding late sept. or early Oct. Either Lake County or Santa Cruz (Ca.) which offer mild weather nice scenery and challenging climbs.
What was your experience riding your first century and where did you ride it.
My first century was an accident. I was coming home from a camping trip/tour up in the Adirondacks and ended up riding over 100 miles the last day just because I wanted to get home and sleep in my own bed.
I always tell people who want to ride their first century, don't think of it as 100 miles on your bicycle, that sounds intimidating, just think of it in terms of hours. If you're used to taking 40 mile rides in, say, 2 1/2 to 3 hours, then think of taking a ride of 8 hours. It's less intimidating for most people to think of tooling along for most of the day, enjoying themselves and the scenery, than to think of 100 miles on a bicycle for the first time.
What was your experience riding your first century and where did you ride it.
Hi!
I've been lurking here a couple weeks, but had to register to answer this. I feel very, very strongly that you shouldn't worry about doing the century.
I've only done one (so far). I like doing the distance. It's neat, the whole time my imagination was racing with ideas of destinations and climbs and how fast would I have to go to finish a centuty in such and such time. In short, I felt like an 8yr old imaging a grand adventure.
My advice? Enjoy the ride. Take all day. Stay comfortable. Train and when you find yourself feeling strong make the most of it. If you enjoy biking the distance, you will do a century. If your idea far is 60 miles or so, than enjoy 60 mile rides. From your post, I take it you are getting out regularly. You must be in good shape and enjoying the biking. An arbitrary distance may be a fitness or personal goal, but don't push your biking for the year. I think you may be surprised that they are not as tough as you think... if you are willing to take all day. I did mine on a "rails to trails" riding a comfort bike. I've only been biking for a year (on stationary bikes, and this summer outside). You don't need to buy a $5K bike and train for a year. You just need to give it all day and have fun with it. Good luck!
My first century was an accident. I was coming home from a camping trip/tour up in the Adirondacks and ended up riding over 100 miles the last day just because I wanted to get home and sleep in my own bed.
I always tell people who want to ride their first century, don't think of it as 100 miles on your bicycle, that sounds intimidating, just think of it in terms of hours. If you're used to taking 40 mile rides in, say, 2 1/2 to 3 hours, then think of taking a ride of 8 hours. It's less intimidating for most people to think of tooling along for most of the day, enjoying themselves and the scenery, than to think of 100 miles on a bicycle for the first time.
Hi Doc, Thanks for reply and advice. I've ridden plenty of 25 mi. rides or longer without due stress so I figured of breaking this ride down in 25 mi. intervals in my mind to keep it from seeming daunting. I was surprised with only only one reply, I had thought more people have did them though I understand it is a quest most attempted by those who hair is starting to gray. When I was younger I never made the time to run or bike long distances, I did my first marathon at 55 even though I was a serious runner so It goes to reason to do my first century at 60.
I've been lurking here a couple weeks, but had to register to answer this. I feel very, very strongly that you shouldn't worry about doing the century.
I've only done one (so far). I like doing the distance. It's neat, the whole time my imagination was racing with ideas of destinations and climbs and how fast would I have to go to finish a centuty in such and such time. In short, I felt like an 8yr old imaging a grand adventure.
My advice? Enjoy the ride. Take all day. Stay comfortable. Train and when you find yourself feeling strong make the most of it. If you enjoy biking the distance, you will do a century. If your idea far is 60 miles or so, than enjoy 60 mile rides. From your post, I take it you are getting out regularly. You must be in good shape and enjoying the biking. An arbitrary distance may be a fitness or personal goal, but don't push your biking for the year. I think you may be surprised that they are not as tough as you think... if you are willing to take all day. I did mine on a "rails to trails" riding a comfort bike. I've only been biking for a year (on stationary bikes, and this summer outside). You don't need to buy a $5K bike and train for a year. You just need to give it all day and have fun with it. Good luck!
Hi Henry , welcome aboard, seems we were posting at the same time when I submitted my reply to Doc Hairy. Your advice is correct and fits within my thinking of enjoying myself and relax. Not to think of it as a race instead to think of it as touring and enjoy the sights. That's why I'll pick a century with beautiful scenery. There's one called the High Sierra Fall Century,The 100 mile course takes you along the spectacular east side of the High Sierra and into the quiet beauty of the Mono Basin with views of Mono Lake and the White Mountains. A whole lot of elevation , from 6500 ft to 8500 ft with climbs of 15 mi. long. That is why I'm in training even though I bike alot I haven't done alot of elevation rides and knowing how serious hiking can leave you grasping for breath in higher altitudes I am working on climbing drills to help condition my lungs. Bob
