Fifty Plus (50+) - Rode my first century today

Got back on my bike 13 months ago after being off it for 15 years. Started losing weight and riding longer and longer. This Spring I set my sights on this century and worked hard to get ready. I had gotten up to 100 to 120 miles per week---with 40 to 70 miles on Saturdays. This morning was a perfect day. Sunny and about 55 degrees. I rode with two other 50 plus guys---each on their first century as well. It was more hilly than I anticipated but we finished in about 6 hours and 30 minutes total time which included stopping at some well stocked rest stops and we averaged 17+ mph for the day cycling time. That pace began to wear me down around 75-80 miles but I seemed to get a bit of a boost around 90 miles. I was plenty tired and the hour drive home was a little tough---but after a shower---some Aleve---and a couple of football games on the tube---I am feeling better. I certainly won't need to be rocked to sleep tonight though.

It feels so good to be able to set a goal like that and then achieve it. I may ride this same century next year---but I'm not in a hurry to do another right away. Maybe I'll feel different after a good night's sleep.

You've earned a good rest. Way to go! You're a century rider now.
That's a very good time for your first century.

very nice! http://www.pacfit.com/thumbsup.gif

Nice job. I could ride that fast only with a tailwind.

Don't forget you've earned some pie. In fact, a LOT of pie! :)

It's great to accomplish a goal that you've set for yourself, especially if it's also fun :)
That's a great time for your first century!

Congrats on your first century! It's always great to accomplish a goal like that and you made good time also.

Welcome to the club! Hope you took a pic of that magic number on your speedo for your scrap book!

Welcome to the Century club!! Terrific results in setting goals and achieving those as well. That's a pretty darn good time on the century as well! Now you just need to plan to do the Cheaha Century next spring! It's a great little Century for early in the year!

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You did much better than I did also after 15 years of inactivity. Keep going. You know the saying: Use it or loose it.:)

Congratulations on your Century sour01. Seeing someone hit this milestone is always a great inspiration for those of us who haven't gotten there yet. Nice going.

Did you guys do a pace line? I've done 6 centuries this yr after not riding a bike in 40 yrs but my ave speed was usually in the 14 to 15 mph riding alone. I doubt I'll ever reach an ave of 17 in a century but I WILL do a double century next summer!

Very impressive. Just getting back into cycling myself and I can't imagine knocking off a century 13 months from now. And I'd love to do 17 mph for 1 hour!

Congratulations on a significant accomplishment! As others have said, it will serve as an inspiration.

hei when you ride for that long isn't that a problem whit impotence? so manny hours on top ths perinium

No impotence. Get a bike and saddle that fits properly is key.

No impotence. Get a bike and saddle that fits properly is key.

+1. Fer shure. Slotted saddles, wide saddles, flat saddles, various curved saddles, leather saddles, ischial bone saddles.....I suspect I've tried at least half of them out there. Eventually, you find one you can make peace with. A proper saddle will keep you weight on your two bumpy sit bones and not dig into the soft tissue you mention. I like the old Regals and the newer Max Flite gel. But there are many out there...hopefully one for most needs. Unless, of course, you think your a** is special ;) .

Long riders also move around on their saddle, stand frequently, and know that pushing down on a bit heavier gear keeps you "lighter" in the saddle.

Your story is so similar to mine it's strange. I took up cycling about 11 months ago after a 15-year hiatus. I rode my first century about a month ago. Not as fast as yours - - about 15.5 mph. I, too, felt probably my best at about 80-90 miles. I was a bit worried about being on the saddle for such a long time, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. To me, riding a century is like a rite of passage for cyclists. Way to go, and keep it up!