Originally Posted by
genejockey
Well, the more 50 mile rides you do, the easier they become, the faster you go, etc. And the routes you ride can be chosen to build up, for example, your climbing ability. When I was building up for the one Century I've ridden, yeah, I rode longer and longer distances, but I also threw in more climbs on Sunday long rides and hill intervals on weekday rides. It seems to me one can train for any athletic event, not just competitive events.
Maybe it's just a perspective thing, I've been riding dozens of centuries per year for the past 4 years, so they really do just seem like longer versions of every other ride I take rather than an event. Also, I think in terms of working out, which is aimed more at general health than training, which is aimed at maximizing performance at a particular activity.