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Road Cycling: My 1st Century

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberjrodhart76
    • CommentTimeJun 21st 2009 edited
     
    jrodhart76

    First thing that went through my mind was...WOW pace lines totally rock!

    Second thing that went through my mind was...Damn sure wish I did not drop my water bottle, and watch a car hit it, at mile 40.

    Third thing that went through my mind was...Putting a 3 mile 6% climb at the mile 77.5 is cruel.

    Fourth thing that went through my mind was...I can't wait to do it again.

    I completed it in 5:27:34

    How was your first century, and ones there after?

    • CommentAuthorChampionship Membershipdwilson84
    • CommentTimeJun 21st 2009
     
    dwilson84

    I have never completed a century yet, i'm still training up to one.  I do have some questions for you though since you say it was your first century.  1) how long was your century? 2) what did you do pre-ride and post-ride for nutrition? 

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdizzyjojo
    • CommentTimeJun 21st 2009
     
    dizzyjojo
    Well done! :-) I've just completed 120 miles in 30 days so have a while before my first century. lol So when are you doing the next one? :-) x
  4.  
    cory.wisecup
    hey congrats, i actually did my first century after only a month or 2 of riding. My friend suckered me into it and boyyy did i pay for it. it was great. i cant wait to do another one. im not exactly sure but it took me the better part of 6 hours to do it. but now i have almost 6 months of training so hopefully under 6 hours is do-able.
    • CommentAuthorFree Membergumby4
    • CommentTimeJun 23rd 2009
     
    gumby4

    Congrats on your first century.

     It does rock to see your pace increase when riding in a peloton.

     My first century took about 5.5hr to complete.

    It did motivate me to do more of them.  I'm planning to ride on three this year.

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberjrodhart76
    • CommentTimeJun 24th 2009
     
    jrodhart76

    Dizzy,

    I was planning on doing another this summer (August) but due to some severe flooding this winter it was canceled as a bridge on the route is no longer stable.  I will probably do a few unsupported centuries, but nothing that is an event until next year.

     

    Dwilson,

     1.  A century is 100 miles, so I averaged about 18.2 mph for the length of the ride.  On one downhill I hit 45 :)

    2.  Pre-ride, I had a 16 oz skim milk and carnations instant breakfast (220 calories, a big helping of spaghetti (300-400 calories), a glass of OJ, some peanuts and a gatorade.  All in all, somewhere in the neighborhood of 800-1000 calories.  During the ride, I had some hammer gels, and gummy things, plus lots of water and a gatorade.  On my next ride I think I will have some more solids (energy bars and carb stuff).  Post ride...I am not a big eater immediately after a long hard effort.  Whether is it biking, soccer, volleyball, or anything it takes time for me to eat.  I tried to have a hotdog, but it tasted horrible.  After about an hour, I had a slice of pizza.  After about 4 hours, I had about 3 bananas, some strawberries, potatoe chips, sushi, ribs and a couple of beers.

     Based on some calorie calculators, I burned around 5000-6000 calories.

     

    Hope this helps.

  7.  
    fb.ShelL.697

    Wow Jrodhart!

    Well done! Where was your route?

    Can't believe you went at 45mph - can't imagine how that feels!

    Keep up the hard work!

    I have been cycling 'properly' ;o) since April and am up to 38 miles.

     

     

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberZoCo1709
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2009
     
    ZoCo1709
    I have yet to do my first century but I'm planning to do at least one later this year. I may get in an individual century in July or August and will be doing the Highlander Cycle Tour in September http://www.highlandercycletour.com/ It is 105 miles in the Finger Lakes Region of NY with over 11,000 feet of climbs and grades up to 23%. I can't wait.
    • CommentAuthorFree MemberAlexFallon
    • CommentTimeJun 26th 2009
     
    AlexFallon
    I have yet to do a century but I will be doing the Lowlander in the Highlander Cycle Tour this September. I moved from a TT bike to a road bike this year but I just got it 6 days ago so I need to ride ride ride. Thank you JrodHart you were very helpful! I had no idea how hard a century was when I asked my friends to do one with me.
  10.  
    jjmckenzie51

    There is an article about training for your First Century here on the Bicycling site.

    Take more 'stuff' than you think you will need.  I recommend at least two tubes, two CO2 cansisters, a good quality packable tool kit and some sort of quickly absorbed food.  I also recommend 'experiementing' with food you can eat on the ride WAY before the ride.  It is no fun to be out 60 or so miles and find out that you stomach knots up when you consume a certain type of food, drink or a combination of both.

    And train on those hills.  That way you can see what you are getting into and what to do if the unexpected happens on them.

    Enjoy your First!  I will be on my third and fourth this fall in training for El Tour de Tucson.

  11.  
    jjmckenzie51

    DJ:

    There is great discussion on what to eat or not eat before a long ride.  I usually start 'carbo-loading' two to three days before.  I do not ride the two days before, but that may hurt more than help.  I eat enriched oatmeal about two to three hours before doing the ride and then about one hour before I eat a Clif Bar (and I will be switching to the Builder bars for Centuries and long rides.)  After I finish the ride, I drink a recovery drink and LOTS of water.  

     

    • CommentAuthorChampionship Membershipdwilson84
    • CommentTimeJun 27th 2009
     
    dwilson84

    Dizzy,

    That sounds like a pretty good meal plan for high carbs, I feel the same way usually after a long ride it is hard for me to eat for a few hours.  I do manage to drink a protien shake with bananas and mixed fruits.  I have yet to find a centry to ride but am moving to Phoenix AZ soon so I might try to ride Phoenix to Tuscan this winter as my first really long ride over 75 miles.

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberscabby
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2009
     
    scabby

    I have ridden centuries since 1988. At least four this year with two planned for the Fourth of July weekend (See Ride to Philly Area in the Road Forum).

    • Aerobars- Saves your hands and back in addition to the aerodynamic advantage. Woudn't leave home without them.
    • Bodyglide- Keeps your feet happy.
    • Eat regularly throughout the ride- To take the thinking out of it, I have a Gu every hour after the first hour and a Cliff Bar between every Gu.
    • Hydrate throughout the ride and carry more Cytomax to mix bottles along the way. I usally go through 3-5 bottles depending on the temp. After you finish drinking, inhale through your nose and blow forcefully out your mouth to expel any residual water from the mouth. This keeps it from being inhaled into the lungs. Over time this can become uncomfortable.
    • If it is your first century, I advise to ride humbly with deference to the route/distance. Don't blast over rolling territory. Go easy and in one gear lighter than you normally would when you encounter any upgrade. It's better to ride easy and then at mile 88 realize you have the ride in the bag and gun it home than to go out like lightning and at mile 60 realize you are on a death march with 40 to suffer through. Been there. Done that. And option A shown above is the way you want to ride.
    • Carry a couple Advil.
    • Empty your bowels before the ride.
    • As far as carbo loading goes, if you are in training, I wouldn't eat anything more than your normal diet. You'll be eating along the ride.
    • Hydrate before the ride- Start drinking water the day before until your urine is running clear.
    • Gear- One tube and a patch kit should do it. Inflater cartrige AND pump (Check pump to make sure it's A-O-K)
    • Sunscreen

    Happy Riding!

    Good luck.

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberryno136
    • CommentTimeJul 2nd 2009
     
    ryno136
    I'm scheduled to do my first century this August at the Hotter n Hell 100 in Wichita Falls, TX. I'm pretty stoked about it. I've been trying to regulate my body by riding in the afternoons when the Texas heat is at it's hottest.
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberroadapple
    • CommentTimeJul 3rd 2009
     
    roadapple

    Good luck, ryno!  It's painful when it reaches 100F, no? 

    I'm training for the HHH this year as well and glad I found this thread - most helpful. 

    My friends call me apple, but that name was already taken, so...

    • CommentAuthorFree Membermurbike
    • CommentTimeJul 3rd 2009
     
    murbike

    Good work on your first.

    I started a century a couple of years ago (Vernon Vt to Vernon Ct), but had knee problems at mile 66 and had to sag.

     I'm scheduled to do the Seacoast Century (http://www.granitestatewheelmen.org/SCC/SCC-HomePage.htm) in September.  Very little climbing, so I think we'll do OK, as long as it's not windy.

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberrmhaas
    • CommentTimeJul 10th 2009
     
    rmhaas

     

    Wear good quality bib shorts for long rides, and wear them correctly including chamois cream.

    Chamois lubricant reduces friction through lubrication, provides an anti-bacterial environment for the skin and reduces the accumulation of perspiration

    Never wear any underwear with bike shorts. They are designed to be worn against the skin for men and women. Underwear traps heat and moisture and adds friction from chafing.


    Be certain your bike fits you correctly and your posture is good.

     

  18.  
    SP3CIAL1Z3D

    I completed my first Century about a year ago for MS in Windsor, CT. I would have to agree with rmhaas and that chamois cream is the most important factor of the ride. If you do not feel comfortable on the saddle then it will be one of the hardest century you will ever ride. Riding with a team helps out a lot, it helps take your mind off the fact that you have to ride 100 miles. haha! I believe it took me 5:45:00h not too bad for my first century. I completed the same century this year in 5 hours exactly. I'm riding a century tomorrow with 10,000ft of climbing. My legs are gonna love me after this..haha! This ride will be all about nutrition and hydration. And I will probably need new brake pads after this ride...

    http://berkshirecycling.org/rides/greylock_map.php

    Just keep on spinnin'

  19.  
    bethanysports
    Century riding is awesome. I have done a couple that were fully supported, and I have done a few with my cycling group from church. I prefer the ones with my church group, because there are only about five of us that ride together instead of the masses of humanity and weekend warrior riders who tend to flock to supported century benefit rides. The fewer the numbers of riders the less chance that someone who does not know how to clip out of their pedals will fall into you. I am addicted to long rides now that I have completed another century. I almost do not want to do a ride of anything less than 40 miles just because I want to keep going and going. If you want to read about the Bethany Church Club Rides log onto: www.bethanysportsministry.blogspot.com
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberfujipro
    • CommentTimeJul 11th 2009
     
    fujipro

    "Can't believe you went at 45mph - can't imagine how that feels!"

    Having done that a few times, it always feels the same to me ...

    "Damn, i hope nothing on this bike chooses this moment to fail. I wish I got a tuneup last week."

    • CommentAuthorFree Membercmdrfish
    • CommentTimeJul 12th 2009
     
    cmdrfish

    Well I have done 3 in my life (150,135, & 100). The first 2 were 24 years ago. OUCH. The last one was in 94. Been riding hard since last summer. Did a MS150, & planning on another in Aug, been training for century loop on first day of this years  MS150. In South Dakota, we are the 6th windiest state & most times that is true but of late during the last 30 days, been real nice.

    I ride a 21 year old Centurion (27" 12 speed-YEAH), so when I see the times that most people post for their century I say WOWSurprised. My longest single day ride this years was 71 miles on the 28 on june and it took me  5h,20min.To date this year more than 1000 miles from March 1 on. CANT afford a REALLY nice bike. Have to make do with what I got. Most times, if I maintain more than 14mph over a long distance ride (50+) than I am happy, but with South Dakota wind....never can tell.

    Never tried the chamois cream, is it really that good?

  22.  
    bethanysports
    Some things I have learned about century riding is that you cannot eat enough food. Do not worry about the caloric intake of the food you are eating. Be concerned about the benefits the food will give you. For example, I try to eat a bagel about 20 miles into the ride. I usually pack a few granola bars. I carry two full water bottles that I make sure to top off at each rest stop. I also try to eat a huge bowl of cereal before my ride, and when we do stop, I try to get bananas and apples to munch on while riding. At the end of my last century, I ate like a horse. I did not get full until about two hours after my ride. The next morning, I was starving, and again ate my fair share. Another thing I learned this year when I did my second century this year was just take a rest if you are tired. Do not try to go on if your body is saying STOP. Too many silly mistakes happen when people ride when they are exhausted. Remember, the car always wins.
  23.  
    rpetreccajr

    I did two centuries last year, on August 23 and on September 20. Big difference between the two. The first one I got a late start, about 8:30 AM and the mid- afternoon heat was murder. Took me 6:00 of riding time over 7:30 elapsed time. Didn't eat enough and pretty much rode alone so no aerodynamic rest. The second one went much easier. Completed it in 5:23 of riding time over about 6 1/2 hours or so elapsed. Ate more, got started early and most importantly found a group of riders going my pace and stuck with them. That made a tremendous difference in energy expended. Oh yeah, the temps were much better, low 80s rather than 92.  Put in 711 miles on the bike before the first with a long ride of 60 miles. An additional 270 miles between the two with a long of 70.

    This year I am planning at least the two I did last year and possibly another couple as well.

  24.  
    awilloughby

    I also did the Mount Greylock Century. It took me 7 hours with 10,000 feet of climbing. I hit speeds of 54 Mph going down The Mohawk Trail/Rt 2. In Florida, Ma. It was my second Century the first was The kings tour of the Quabbin Double Metric which i also did in 7 hours. that was 126 miles with 7000 feet of climbing. my goal for this year is to do a relativly flat century in under 5 hours.

    Cytomax is the best thing you can carry!!!! Especially on hills!

    • CommentAuthorGold Membershipbayourat18
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2009 edited
     
    bayourat18

    murbike, I'll be riding that century as my first!

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