General Cycling Discussion - Century ride on Multi-Use Trail?

This summer I want to do my first century. I have been a bit nervous about it because it would generally mean a route that goes into the Nevada boonies. I'm not comfortable with it, really, as I'll be riding solo and I don't want problems to strand me. I'm very edgy about that actually.

Anyway, on my way in to work, I crossed the Truckee River that bisects our valley here and thought about doing rides on the multi use path that exists along pretty much the whole length of the river in the valley. I'd say its 10-12 miles long. Some of it is on road, a couple of miles maybe. I thought, if I were to ride back and forth along the river across the valley, then I'd have bathrooms etc along the way, and help would be nearby (I live only 2.5 miles from river). I could even meet my family for lunch. Of course I'd do it on a weekday (a Friday probably) so that there would be less people/traffic on the path.

So is this a bad idea? I just can't see anything wrong with it and really like the idea. BTW this is a MUT that I've cycled on many times.

sounds like a good plan to me.

I doubt you'll maintain a pace too consistently fast. 20+mph here would get you a speeding ticket and points on your license.

I'm not too worried about speed. I figure 15-17mph on my single speed road bike for the endeavor.

yup, pace and rhythm are likely to be your biggest problem. I find riding on multi use trails much more exhausting than finding a quieter road, as you have to concentrate much harder on the ped and bike traffic around you, and don't often get nice stretches where you can just cruise along at 20+ mph.

Repeating the same section over and over might get a little boring, too... but the advantages or rest areas and assistance nearby are certainly good to have.

Any organized century rides around that you can join?

Nothing wrong with doing it. Sounds pretty boring to me though. Why not ride the 72 miles around Lake Tahoe plus a little extra to get the full century?

There are organized centuries this summer at Tahoe, but they are all packed up already. I checked. I figured that maintaining a pace might be more difficult too, but alot of the trail is usually wide open, and sees very little pedestrian use. I can also extend it by taking other routes in town that are near the end of the trail.