Road Bike Racing - What's the fastest anyone's ever completed a Century in?

What's the fastest speed (or time) that a century has ever been completed in (and by whom)?

Thanks!

It's dependant on the course really.

A new record was set for the 160km Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge (http://www.cyclechallenge.org.nz) last year being 3:46, about 13 minutes faster than the previous record. It was also a new record of 4:08 for the women's event. This is a fairly hilly course so I doubt it's the fastest century ever.

Check the RTTC in the UK. They have 100 mile records going back to the year dot.

Check the RTTC in the UK. They have 100 mile records going back to the year dot.

Thanks! Are those UK only records, or world records for any federation?

Probably UK only, but I'd expect that it will be a good starting point. Those pommies ride 50 and 100 mile TT's nearly all year!

EDIT - Here is the competition record for 100mile from the RTTC website ( http://www.rttc.org.uk/ ).
2003 K Dawson Life Repair CRT 03:22:45

The website is a bit fiddly to navigate, but all the competition records are listed.

100 miles @ 30 mph = 3:20

That happens in the pro ranks sometimes.
Hell, the Worlds RR in Zolder in 2003 was just short of 30mph avg and that was about 150-160 miles.

Personally, I've been in 100+ mile RR's that were well under 4 hours, but don't usually care what the time was. Racing is about efforts and recovery.

Never have I gone for a time at a century ride though. That takes all the fun out of doing it. Piggin' out at sag stops. Socializing with friends. Etc...

Best way to ride a century = ride 20 miles mod-hard, stop at sag for 20',
ride 20 miles mod-hard, stop at sag for 20',
repeat 3 more times

The big difference between road racing and straight century is drafting, peloton, etc. A solo century under 4 hours is very good, a 4 hour 100 mile road race not so much...

Not upright bikes obviously, but fast none the less...

http://www.recumbents.com/wisil/racing2003/sub4/Sub4-2003.htm

The big difference between road racing and straight century is drafting, peloton, etc. A solo century under 4 hours is very good, a 4 hour 100 mile road race not so much...Yeah, solo centuries are boring though. You gotta make it a social event with lots of partying! I think it would be fun to do it on one of those 4-man bikes with a keg on board! :)

The big difference between road racing and straight century is drafting, peloton, etc. A solo century under 4 hours is very good, a 4 hour 100 mile road race not so much...

Well it depends. If you were going 15 mph for the first 1 1/2, and still do it in 4 hours....

Thanks for all the great info guys!