My first century

Urbansherpa

....I did my first century today. Was actually 168 km total. (104 miles)

Took me 5 hrs, 40 mins at an average speed of 28 kph. (17.5 mph) I averaged 30 kph for the first half. My ass was numb for the last third.

At one time I got behind a tanker truck and did 68 kph for about a mile!

When I got home I wanted to keep going but my butt was too tender. I'm glad to say that today I have NO soreness at all. I thought I'd feel like crap.


* Last November I bought a nice Cannondale R700 Warrior (roadie with drop bars, 105, and SSM Aero saddle) after working at the World Cycling Championship in my city of Hamilton, On.Ca
I thought biking would also be a great way to lose weight. I do about 120 - 150 km per week and have lost 25 lbs this year (more than I expected). Because of the weightloss I'm now more conscious of my eating habits, and healthier all-round.

My wife saw my weightloss, and blew the dust off her 20 yr old (but very, low mileage) Norco Avanti SL roadbike. She now does about 100+ km per week (averages 26.5 kph) and has lost about 20 lbs (she was already petite).

If you live in the southern Ontario area.... my route was from Stoney Creek to Niagara-on-the-Lake along the shore, to Niagara Falls, and then Hwy 20 back home. First half was picturesque, second half was boring.

Biking has given us a common passion and she hopes to do her century before the yearend.

Thanks,
-Karl Roberts

newskinnedknee

What kind of distances were you doing before the century? I am up to 50 km at a time with no biking shorts as yet. I just need to know before I go and make a fool of myself. I just got back into this after a ten year hiatus. My goal is a century someday and a little light touring. But my original plan does not call for a possible century until I got to 140 km or so in Summer of 2005.

Urbansherpa

First, I'm 39yrs old, 5'10 and now 178 lbs (was 203 in early June!). I do wear padded shorts and wouldn't ride w/o them. I started off doing a 40km route 3-4 times a week (often as I can with 2 small kids, and a busy wife) averaging 30-31 km/h with a few small hills. (about 1hr 15m) I now prefer longer routes of 50-60 km with more hills. Before my century the longest I'd done was 115km (w/o stopping) with a Burlington bike club, drafting behind 12 guys at 34 km/h. Drafting really amazed me,...it's like doing 27-28 km/h solo). I did that distance once, and only packed a banana for the ride. I felt really stoned (bonked) at the end probably due to lack of calories.

For my century I ate well, and drank a lot of water + gatorade.

I must admit that I didn't plan for the century, I just thought about doing it the night before, after seeing a good weather forecast. I took a few bagels, 2 water bottles, and a $20. bill! (I bought food on the way)

I'd highly recommend padded shorts (and 'Bag Balm' for your taint), and jersey (pockets for food)
I don't mean to sound cocky, but it was easier than I thought, and had no muscle pains the day after. I really think it was more of a willpower thing.
I think it would have been easier with someone for company.

I'm certainly no expert but recommend you get some shorts, and give it a try THIS year while you have the weather. I also feel that my high cadence (90+) was a possitive factor. Maybe ask at your LBS if anybody wants to go with you for company.

Good luck,
-Karl