mike9903

I completed my first century on Saturday and I loved every minute of it! I participated in the Shiner BASH ride from San Antonio to Shiner, Texas. It started off raining and ended up being a perfect day, it took me 5 hrs and 40 minutes to complete the 104.52 miles with an average speed of 18.4 mph.I also got my first lesson in changing a flat in the middle of no where while it was raining, that was a learning expeirence.

I was very happy with my performance, I was curious though, what is considered a good time to complete a centruy in?

Cypress

Good job!

jschen

Congrats!

I've never completed any ride of over 7 miles with an average speed of over 16.1 MPH. So in my book, your speed rocks!

mike9903

Before I got my crash course in changing a flat tire I was in a group of about 7 riders that was going about 27 for a long time. Once I flatted I never could find another group to hop onto, I did the forst 60 miles with pretty much the same group then the last 44 miles on my own. I can only wonder what my speed and time would of been had I not got seperated from that group!

rufvelo

You did really well, Congrats!

With some strong guys for company 4-4.5 hrs are considered fast. Else, unless you were descending most of the way, your time is very good!

rule

Nice going and welcome to the club!

Albany-12303

Just curious - were you drafting at all? Any hills?

For a first century, 18.4 mph is amazing!

Congratulations!

By the way - my average speed for my first century was 15 MPH, and my computer is set to stop during breaks!

mike9903

For about the first half of the ride I was in a paceline averaging about 26-27 mph, we were in the rain but we did also have a tail wind. The second half of the ride I was rinding by myself into the wind with rolling hills, with an occasional long climb thrown in there.

C-R700

I would say that is a fast century. I also think there are lots of variable with the routes that would influence the time.

mike9903

One more thing, is there is certain time that you say to yourself, "My butt is killing me!" I put a Fizik Arione on my bike about a week before the century, I know that was stupid, but I was starting to go numb, and about five hours into the ride my butt was killing me. i am thinking that this is just because it was a new seat that did not get broken in too much. Is it normal to start to feel a lil sore after a while on the bike?

Ostuni

+1 (well, maybe one metric century averaged 16.4!).....

SA_Brak

Mike, you were with the first group of riders? I stopped at Waelder and they said there was inly a group of 7 or so riders ahead. I must have been a little behind. I finished with an average of 18.0 mph (not including breaks). I was really pleased with my time as this was my first century as well (although they said it was only 97 miles my computer showed close to what you had). Other than the rain the lower temps and lack of headwind really contributed to the faster times.

mike9903

What were you riding? I am pretty sure that you passed me at some point

SA_Brak

I was riding the red Felt F4c. I did pass several riders changing tires (in the rain).

mike9903

Yah there was a TON of flats out there, it was weird. Everyone that I knew/rode with got a flat tire!

jjmolyet

Congrats, that is awesome. I am planning on riding a century in September for sure and maybe one in July if I can find the time. A question for you or anyone else when you say 5hrs anf 40mins is that saddle time or or start to finish, to be more clear, is the clock running when you stop for refreshments? Just curious hope I can come close to your numbers!

SA_Brak

I don't know what others do but my computer stops when the bike stops so for me it is saddle time. Since there is no posted results it is good enough for me and probably a better indicator of my fitness. If I'm taking longer breaks then my saddle time is probably going to be longer as well.