Bah Humbug

People sometimes use analogies to make points.

Not all of us assume the OP can't do it. Most of us say the opposite...

Ogsarg

The obvious question here is what is the backup plan if you can't make it? Is there someone that will come get you if you are thrashed at the 80-90 mile point and can't handle the rest? If someone is on hand to come get you and you don't mind waiting along the road for however long that might take, give it a go and report back.

novicenyer

I ride an average about 500 miles a month depending on weather and such for last 6 months

MinnMan

People here clearly have diverse opinions on your proposition, but here's mine. You can do it, but it's going to hurt. The emphasis on nutrition and hydration that people have expressed is important, but in my experience, significant cramping is not simply solved by getting those right when you don't have the conditioning. Going that far beyond your normal training envelope is going to challenge your legs and your endurance.

I'm not telling you you shouldn't do it. You'll survive and you'll have a great sense of accomplishment afterwards. But be warned, there's a pretty good likelihood that you are going to be in the pain cave for the last 20-50 miles.

Bah Humbug

Can you increase that, like maybe double it, in the month or two before the event? If you do, you'll have a much more enjoyable ride.

Chubby715

I live in Fairfield CT so the terrain in CT will be mostly flat to easy rolling hills if you're riding parallel to the coast on Route 1 the whole way north. The bigger question is how comfortable are you with riding on busy roads with lots of traffic, especially if you're departing from Astoria and have to cross one of the bridges.The distance won't be a problem for you, but don't expect wide open roads with no traffic. Good luck!

Seattle Forrest

Yeah, I guess I went off on a tangent about a distinction that doesn't apply as long as you have a well fitting bike, so not relevant at all. My bad.

Iride01 

Pun? Double entendre? Or unrealized genius of phrasing?

bruce19

+1 I also live in CT.

Erzulis Boat 

Paleeese................I did the Solvang Century after I got out of the Army with 2 weeks of "training" (riding 15 miles on a good day).

It really sucked after around 60 miles, but Ranger School was worse, so it was doable. It's all in your head.

ETA- It really, really sucked after 60

mattscq

I just did my first century (102.4mi) with about 4000ft of elevation gain/loss. The longest ride I had done before was maybe 40ish and I had originally intended to do 70 but I got rerouted a couple of times and by the time I got back, I realized I may as well try for 100.

It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and I had brought along some bars and gels which I ended up only eating half of them. I also did stop at a gas station for a bag of chips and a Gatorade and a couple other stops for coffee/water. At around 80 miles, I did stop by a friend's and was fed, so I guess there were some breaks in between (not a true century perhaps).

I found that I wasn't in too much pain and I was mostly fine but just exhausted the next day. Legs were fine but knees did not want to pedal and there was a bit of numbness on my right foot which has gone away. At around 60 miles, I did not want to sit on the seat anymore and it was the saddle and my ass that was really the worst part but somehow that went away and it was fine a couple of days later.

If you're planning to bike to Mystic, I would just make sure you have the option of jumping onto the Metronorth or getting someone to pick you up if you do find yourself not able to do the whole journey but I think it's probably very doable if you're fit and already have done 80+. I felt like after I hit 100, I could have kept going but it was already pretty dark out and I didn't have a particularly interesting route left or a specific goal in mind so I just went home.

Good luck and keep us informed!

rivers

I think it's doable provided you pace yourself and fuel properly, as well as get some longer rides in before the ride. I did a double century (208 miles actually) last summer and my longest ride leading up to it was 120 miles. But, that 120 miles had more climbing than the actual double. And up until I tapered, I was averaging between 200-300 miles/week. Two weeks after lockdown restrictions eased in the UK, I went out for a 115 miler having not done anything more than 65 over lockdown. Pacing and fuelling are key, as well as being prepared for some discomfort. Good luck

curbtender

Why not break it in half and enjoy the ride?