Can I do this? Or am I crazy?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Posts: 40
Bikes: 2013 Felt F75X
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Can I do this? Or am I crazy?
So tomorrow I'm riding in the Tour de Cure in my area. I've signed up for the 65 mile route, but I am seriously contemplating the full century (I can change when I pick up my packet in the morning). The farthest I've gone so far on a bike was 53 miles. I was tired at the end, but overall I did it fairly easily and wasn't dead once I was done. I know I can do the 65 miles no problem - but am I foolish to tackle the 100?
There are plenty of stops every 10-15 miles (I think there are 8 total), so I'll have time to break throughout the ride.
Is breaking it up into 1 hour segments enough to make it doable? Or should I just hold off and attempt a century later?
There are plenty of stops every 10-15 miles (I think there are 8 total), so I'll have time to break throughout the ride.
Is breaking it up into 1 hour segments enough to make it doable? Or should I just hold off and attempt a century later?
#2
Senior Member
Go for the century. If you were doing two days back to back I would stop at 63 but you will have a day to recover afterwards plus the thrill of riding 100 miles to drown out the sore muscles. The 1 hour segments is a good idea. Pace yourself and don't over do it early on.
Rick Ankrum
Rick Ankrum
Last edited by Jandro; 04-24-13 at 04:06 PM. Reason: no blog links for non-paying memebers
#3
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Upland Ca
Posts: 19,895
Bikes: Lemond Chambery/Cannondale R-900/Trek 8000 MTB/Burley Duet tandem
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
You can do the century!
I say snack your butt off in the early miles. Eat, EAT, I say again EAT something solid at about mile 60. It will replenish you body and help you recover for the later miles.
Just about every centruy I have done, I get a low energy at about mile 65-70. So I learned to eat something solid ahead of time to help recuperate. This will put me in relax, crusie mode form mile 70-80 then I wil be anew rider at about mile 90 feeling like I did at mile 30.
By something solid I mean eat a turkey sandwich, subway, or if the sag support offer sandwiches which most do at about that point in a century.
DON'T try to get by on gels unless you have done several centuries and have trained hour body to do so. Mortals need something solid to replenish.
I say snack your butt off in the early miles. Eat, EAT, I say again EAT something solid at about mile 60. It will replenish you body and help you recover for the later miles.
Just about every centruy I have done, I get a low energy at about mile 65-70. So I learned to eat something solid ahead of time to help recuperate. This will put me in relax, crusie mode form mile 70-80 then I wil be anew rider at about mile 90 feeling like I did at mile 30.
By something solid I mean eat a turkey sandwich, subway, or if the sag support offer sandwiches which most do at about that point in a century.
DON'T try to get by on gels unless you have done several centuries and have trained hour body to do so. Mortals need something solid to replenish.
#4
SuperGimp
Eat enough, drink lots, don't try to set a break neck pace and go for it. You will hit a wall at some point... 75 or 80 miles maybe. Just expect it and know that you can make it through.
Report back when you're done.
Report back when you're done.
#5
Give the century a shot. Just set a modest pace (remember it's a ride not a race) and keep eating and drinking throughout the day both at the rest stops and on the bike as you ride. I get caught up in the scenery and talking with other riders and tend to forget the eating part so I set the timer on my watch for 30 min intervals as a reminder. Timer goes off and I grab a granola bar or gel or whatever snack I stuffed into my jersey pocket at the last rest stop.
And as was said above, something substantial at lunch will carry you through.
Enjoy your day and report back on how your century went.
And as was said above, something substantial at lunch will carry you through.
Enjoy your day and report back on how your century went.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Posts: 40
Bikes: 2013 Felt F75X
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Alright, century it is. I'm riding with a group so I'll be able to keep a pretty solid pace the whole time. If I survive I'll report back tonight.
#7
Senior Member
I would look at the elevation profile first. Around here, the difference between a metric and full century can be upwards of 3-4000 ft of climbing. Never been to VA, but I understand parts of it are hilly.
#8
Full Member
It works the same here in KY, the extra 38 miles on the century routes from the metric routes, are usually the more hilly section of the entire ride. If you keep a comfortable pace, and stop, walk around, eat and drink at the stops you should be fine for either. The only times I have struggled on organized century rides was when I tried to stay with a group that was stronger and faster than I was.
#9
Senior Member
Hope your ride was a good one.
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Posts: 40
Bikes: 2013 Felt F75X
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Did it. Now I'm exhausted. But I did it! First century, under my belt. Here's the strava link: https://app.strava.com/activities/49783627
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Hampton Roads VA
Posts: 1,787
Bikes: '07 Trek 520, '09 Gary Fisher Triton, '04 Trek 8000, '85 Trek 500, '84 Trek 610, '85 Trek 510, '88 Trek 660, '92 Trek 930, Trek Multitrack 700
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
jokell, it looks like you answered your question. Well done.
__________________
"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
T. Jefferson
"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
T. Jefferson
#18
That guy from the Chi
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,000
Bikes: 88 Trek 800 - gone to new cheeks; '14 Trek 1.2 - aka The X1 Advanced; '13 Trek 3500 Disc
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
Wow, very good time! When I did my first one last year, and with training, it wasn't that fast. You beat me by a good .5 mph!
Congrats!
Congrats!
#19
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Posts: 40
Bikes: 2013 Felt F75X
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks everyone! I rode with a team, which helped keep my speed up. We were actually some of the last ones to finish - but I don't care, because I finished!
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,695
Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back
Liked 2,038 Times
in
604 Posts
congradulations, the time doesn't matter, in a century the distance is what counts.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RichardGlover
Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling
21
03-08-11 11:03 AM