Southern California - BF - So Cal / Century-a-Month Challenge

Some of you have participated in Century challenges on other forums & others have not. I thought it would be great to get a challenge going amongst the So Cal BF riders who like to ride Centuries or do long distance rides.

The challenge is as follows:

1) One must ride at least one century (100 miles or more) each month of the year. One century in January, one in February, one in March ..... etc. Single metric centuries do not count.

2) If you ride 2 centuries in one month, you cannot carry it over to the following month or use it some other month where you do not complete a century.

3) Centuries can be on a route of the cyclist's own choosing ... a collection of short loops or long loops, and out and back, or whatever.

4) Centuries can be offically organized rides, or unofficially organized rides ... in other words, a century could be a century with the local cycling club, or could be a century where the cyclist just goes out and rides 100 miles on his/her own. Organized centuries that call themselves centuries and are 98.5 or whatever mileage close to 100 counts, some of us will ride the additional mileage to make it 100, but don't let that discount your accomplishment.

5) Time limit for centuries; we all know that centuries are a same day ride with stops for mother nature, nutrition, hydration, mechanical issues, aside from these stops, this is a one shot ride. No stopping for 3 hours to take a nap so that you can finish later.

I will volunteer to keep a monthly update of the riders still partaking in the challenge. We will utilize the honor system, besides you are only cheating yourself if your not being honest.

For tracking purposes, include as many of the following details as possible, and then a short synopsis of the ride.

Date of Ride:
Type of Ride: (group ride or solo ride)
Name of organized ride or route:
Actual Mileage:
Ride Time:
Total Time:
Avg. Speed:
Altitude Climbed: (if available, either by route map, or cycling computer)
Weather conditions:

And then a synopsis of the ride.

Can anyone think of any other details that should be listed?

When doing this in other forums it was interesting to read about the rides that others had completed, it gave you a measuring stick as to how you were doing against the others.

When I did this 2 years ago, it was a great motivator. I was able to ride for 10 months in a row with at least one century per month, a couple of months I did more than one. But as the name implies it is a challenge, life gets in the way. November that year, I broke my arm in a century ride (El Tour de Tucson) and was not able to finish the challenge. I doubt that I would have ridden as many centuries or miles that year without the Challenge. I was still proud of my accomplishments that year.

Whether you complete one century or all twelve you are a winner, completing a century requires commitment.

WHO IS UP FOR THE CENTURY-A-MONTH CHALLENGE???????????

12/17/06 EDIT:

After all the debating, I hope those that expressed interest are still interested in this challenge. So far I see those that have accepted the challenge as
scvroadie
Brandy
merider1
Sir-Lanceimnot
cjbruin
jschen
mateo44
awiner
Kar3368
Grumpy Pig
1955
BigSean

I'm sure there are others I have missed or some of those above have decided to withdraw (I hope not), just let me know who else would like to challenge themselves to this challenge. Once we start the challenge maybe the moderator will allow us to create a sticky just for the ride details of each rider's century.

I completed it before with 23. Only problem was at the end, the organizer didn't acknowledge anybody. I think he vanished the last week of the challenge. Gotta at least get a yippee!:D

I'm in. :D

I might be flamed for this but just to clarify something here:

A century is when you roll and stay in perpetual motion for 100 miles (or 100kms for a metric). Ok if you have to stop for repairs thats forgivable but this idea of ride stop ride stop ride stop = century doesnt count :)

IMHO.

When you roll you roll for 100miles non stop = century ride :) :p

(oh boy i bet i get flamed for this one..says the man who hasnt done a 'real' century)

Are we allowed to stop and go to the bathroom Aussie Boy? Some of us girls haven't perfected pissing off of the bike just yet. :p ;)

Are we allowed to stop and go to the bathroom Aussie Boy? Some of us girls haven't perfected pissing off of the bike just yet. :p ;)
ok i think a stoppage of 4-5mins is allowable to take into account toilet stops/repairs/water bottle refills. anything over 4-5mins more than 2 times in the one ride disqualifies your century attempt.

this 24hr period to complete the ride is rubbish too....i cant go run a marathon and do half in the morning and kick my heels up for the rest of the day and finish the marathon in the afternoon and say i ran a 'marathon'.

a marathon is tough precisely because its a non-stop perpetual motion event. All im saying is before you all run off to do doubles triples and quadriple century rides....do a proper single century first ;)

flame away....:p

I'm not going to flame you...I guess I'm thinking from the perspective of someone who just started riding and completed an organized century in August. They provided rest stops and we took advantage of all five of them to grab food, use the restroom, etc. I wouldn't say there was much actual resting, but mentally as a newbie, I needed those stops to help get me through the ride. I'm sure as I improve as a cyclist, I'll find that I need fewer of them, but the fact that I stopped at all five rest stops doesn't negate the fact that I actually completed a century ride. KWIM? Not everyone is out to race or be the fastest, and for some people...the fact that they finished is enough...even if it meant several stops along the way.

im just going to throw this comment out there...I think in general on this board there might be a misconception of what a 'century' ride actually is....each to their own though right :)

Oh...and I agree with you fully on the 24 hour thing being rubbish. :p

I'm not going to flame you...I guess I'm thinking from the perspective of someone who just started riding and completed an organized century in August. They provided rest stops and we took advantage of all five of them to grab food, use the restroom, etc. I wouldn't say there was much actual resting, but mentally as a newbie, I needed those stops to help get me through the ride. I'm sure as I improve as a cyclist, I'll find that I need fewer of them, but the fact that I stopped at all five rest stops doesn't negate the fact that I actually completed a century ride. KWIM? Not everyone is out to race or be the fastest, and for some people...the fact that they finished is enough...even if it meant several stops along the way.
hey im a newbie too!!! and im not being 'elitist' with my comment in any way because i am crap myself. And this isnt actually directed at you personally!

I think more respect for the 'true' idea of a 'century' ride should be given by more people on here who talk of doubles and triples etc etc. And a good goal would be to do a group ride where the century is completed without stopping (man or woman).

anyway as a mere mortal im off to do my humble 'metric' in the morning...but at least i wont stop once ;)

Not I. :o Sorry. I know myself and how my training must pan out if I will realistically complete 3 doubles next year. I may very well end up doing a century a month (or even two or more some months) just with training, but I don't consider doubles centuries as "two centuries," nor do I count double metrics as century rides. They are all different in terms of endurance. And from what I've learned from other double riders as well as my own experience, you do need to taper about 2 weeks out from a double and recover for the week after. Doing the math - that's a month! (technically, I do realize that a double may fall at the end of one month, meaning I could do a century the following - but there is a chance it could land in the middle, like Butterfield for example)

So, I’m more inclined to just focus on training than on meeting a century a month challenge (although it’s a good one, Lee!) Plus, there will most likely be a month that my body may need a break from longer distances. I learned that last year when I was overtraining, putting on weight even when I was eating "clean," and tired constantly during and after some of my most intense training months.

Not for me - but I'm going to have a blast betting on all of you who sign up for the challenge. :D (I use the term "betting" jokingly as I will be encouraging of anyone who tries whether they succeed fully or not!)

sorry for bumping in but...

this reminds me of people who say that someone that runs a marathon in 5 hours did not really do a marathon.

the people who usually say this have never ran a marathon in thier life, trust me it never took me 5 hours but I have never lost respect for those who ran it in 5 and good luck telling them it wasnt actually a marathon! it was still 26.2 miles to run.

Now centuries, good luck telling them it isnt a true century because they had to make a few stops. They still rode the same route and still did the same milage.
How many century have you rode to be an expert as to what is and what isnt a true century?

There are things that happends to your body when you go such a long distance weather it is in running or cycling, things you didnt experience when you were just "talking" about riding one and now are experiencing them in a century weather it's cramps, dyadration ect and those stops are there for a reason.
I always get a kick out of people telling others that thier accomplishments are not up to thier standards when in fact they have never even done any of what they are referring to.

nor do I count double metrics as century rides. [/COLOR]

I'm confused...how could 130 miles not be considered a century + ride?

hey im a newbie too!!! and im not being 'elitist' with my comment in any way because i am crap myself. And this isnt actually directed at you personally!

I think more respect for the 'true' idea of a 'century' ride should be given by more people on here who talk of doubles and triples etc etc. And a good goal would be to do a group ride where the century is completed without stopping (man or woman).

anyway as a mere mortal im off to do my humble 'metric' in the morning...but at least i wont stop once ;)

So if your riding a 100 miles with someone slower and u pull over frequently to let them catch up the slower rider will have completed a century but not the faster rider? Just curious.

I knew that exact comment was coming. Like I stated in previous posts Im not aiming to undermine anyones achievements merely openning a debate on where you draw the line on what can be called a 'century' ride and what should be called 'a bunch of long intervals'??

Personally the day i can ride non stop for 160kms will be the day I say I rode my first ever century and it will be a really proud moment. Others will laugh at me and say 'oh i do century rides every other weekend champ' and I will smile and bite my tongue.

I'm confused...how could 130 miles not be considered a century + ride?
Because it's a double metric which means 120-135 miles. Centuries are 100 mile rides. You end between 97 and 108 (on most of them). The way I presonally ride 100 miles and how I pace myself is different than riding a double metric or a double. That is just how I look at it. Others may include those rides if they want, and I didn't read all of Lee's rules (this may be acceptable). But I, personally, do not count them for myself as century rides I've completed.

Because it's a double metric which means 120-135 miles. Centuries are 100 mile rides. You end between 97 and 108 (on most of them). The way I presonally ride 100 miles and how I pace myself is different than riding a double metric or a double. That is just how I look at it. Others may include those rides if they want, and I didn't read all of Lee's rules (this may be acceptable). But I, personally, do not count them for myself as century rides I've completed.

I understand what you're saying m.e.

I think that according to the rules that Lee posted it was "100 miles or more"...so I assumed the DC training rides would count. :p

Ah...screw the challenge...I'm just going to ride my bike! :roflmao:

So if your riding a 100 miles with someone slower and u pull over frequently to let them catch up the slower rider will have completed a century but not the faster rider? Just curious.

well basically you would be a prick for riding off on them in the first place when clearly if they are struggling you should of been helping them by letting them draft you. Personally I dont even like the idea of drafting so a century should be done alone or at the front of any pack so you dont draft. But thats just me.

All im saying is dont cheapen the idea of a 'century'. It should be damn hard to achieve so you dont get into this stupid silly position of people not knowing where to turn to next and start dreaming up doubles and triples with 25 rest stops :rolleyes:

ok i think a stoppage of 4-5mins is allowable to take into account toilet stops/repairs/water bottle refills. anything over 4-5mins more than 2 times in the one ride disqualifies your century attempt.

this 24hr period to complete the ride is rubbish too....i cant go run a marathon and do half in the morning and kick my heels up for the rest of the day and finish the marathon in the afternoon and say i ran a 'marathon'.

a marathon is tough precisely because its a non-stop perpetual motion event. All im saying is before you all run off to do doubles triples and quadriple century rides....do a proper single century first ;)

flame away....:p


Since this is a personal challenge I think it is what ever the person riding it can acomplish. Personally I prefer to roll when I ride, but Im all fo however ya gotta do it to complete it. For some people the goal in the beginning may be to just complete 100 miles in 24 hours. 3 months later that same person may be really stoked to complete a 100 mile ride without stopping. I say 100 miles is 100 miles, even a 1 mile loop ridden 100 times is still a century, although a bit boring.:rolleyes:

They provided rest stops and we took advantage of all five of them to grab food, use the restroom, etc. I wouldn't say there was much actual resting, but mentally as a newbie, I needed those stops to help get me through the ride. I'm sure as I improve as a cyclist, I'll find that I need fewer of them, but the fact that I stopped at all five rest stops doesn't negate the fact that I actually completed a century ride.


Brandy, even as a non-newbie, I need those breaks. I may skip the first rest stop on rides now, but other than that, I take advantage even if I only stop enough to stretch, pee and go! That's the beauty of cycling over running, we DO get to take more breaks (or at least, we don't feel a clock ticking necessarily). I don't know many riders who blast through century + distance rides without stopping. I know they're out there, I just haven't met them. I doubt I'll ever become that rider - I like to enjoy the ride and breaks help with the enjoyment.

EDIT: Oh, and I meant to say +1 on your comments above!

Did I mention I love a good arguement :D I just couldnt resist this thread :)

I understand what you're saying m.e.

I think that according to the rules that Lee posted it was "100 miles or more"...so I assumed the DC training rides would count. :p

Ah...screw the challenge...I'm just going to ride my bike! :roflmao:
Oh, no, no...missy! You take that challenge. And truthfully, for sake of argument, doubles (century or metric) should be counted. I just don't count them for myself. I like to keep the rides separate. It's one of my many weird quirks. :o :D

Did I mention I love a good arguement :D I just couldnt resist this thread :)

Noooooooooooo...you? I never would have guessed it. :p ;) :roflmao:

Since this is a personal challenge I think it is what ever the person riding it can acomplish. Personally I prefer to roll when I ride, but Im all fo however ya gotta do it to complete it. For some people the goal in the beginning may be to just complete 100 miles in 24 hours. 3 months later that same person may be really stoked to complete a 100 mile ride without stopping. I say 100 miles is 100 miles, even a 1 mile loop ridden 100 times is still a century, although a bit boring.:rolleyes:

I agree with you Sean - I just think people should 'conquer' a single century first before running off looking for ultra distance challenges thats all. I realise its all personal but surely 'rolling' the full 160km stands for something???????? I mean THAT is a century ride!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did I mention I love a good arguement :D I just couldnt resist this thread :)
Yes, but the thread is for the challenge not to start a debate or argument on the topic of how everyone thinks centuries should be ridden. These are Lee's rules. If you don't like them or agree with them, start your own challenge (e.g. The Non-stop, Ride Until You Puke Century a Month Challenge). Or, better yet, why don't you take the challenge as is and report back next year each century you ride for each month? Oh, and take pics. The women on here love those. Um...I mean, all of the riders on here love those. :D

I've never rode an organized ride. Are those the rules of organized centuries like breathless agony and the Mulholland challenge?

Oh, and take pics. The women on here love those. Um...I mean, all of the riders on here love those. :D

No we don't. We hate them...especially the new one on his blog where his leg mu...

well basically you would be a prick for riding off on them in the first place when clearly if they are struggling you should of been helping them by letting them draft you. Personally I dont even like the idea of drafting so a century should be done alone or at the front of any pack so you dont draft. But thats just me.

All im saying is dont cheapen the idea of a 'century'. It should be damn hard to achieve so you dont get into this stupid silly position of people not knowing where to turn to next and start dreaming up doubles and triples with 25 rest stops :rolleyes:


It sounds to me like you are describing a "solo 100 mile ride". Thats how i do a training ride, solo, cause i dont want the benefit of drafting. Personally I believe any ride a person does is a acomplishment. I know its sometimes hard to get on the bike after working all day, its cold and wet outside. Sometimes the challenge is just getting going.

I've never rode an organized ride. Are those the rules of organized centuries like breathless agony and the Mulholland challenge?
Well, there is a time limit because they'll "sweep" you if you don't finish by a certain time on century rides. But for BA and MC, the ride info on the website (I think those rides belong with Planet Ultra - so check that website) should provide you the rules if any. But for the challenge that Lee is presenting - those are his rules for us Bike Forum riders.

No we don't. We hate them...especially the new one on his blog where his leg mu...
:eek: Oh, you're talking internet terms? Sorry, for a moment there...:p

:eek: Oh, you're talking internet terms? Sorry, for a moment there...:p
:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Poor Lee...we've gone and smutted up his challenge thread. We have a unique ability to do that no matter the topic, don't we m.e.? ;)

I always get a kick out of people telling others that thier accomplishments are not up to thier standards when in fact they have never even done any of what they are referring to.
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
you know what im going to bed right now but when i get up im going to change my ride from a metric to a 'real' century. Ill post pics and my polar for your verification :p

Goodnight

Wow, lots of early birds this morning here/there in So-Cal.:)

These aren't my rules, they are common rules that exist in other forums where the challenge is presented.

Sounds like some clarification is needed on a couple of points.

1) A century is any ride over 100 miles, whether it is 100, 112, 130 miles, even 200, all count. If the ride is 200 miles it counts as 2 centuries (hence the description - double century)

5) The only reason I put in the 24 hr rule is weather. It is a common rule if all the other forums because a lot of people in certain locations around the world aren't bless with So Cal weather. (24-hours is permitted to allow for centuries done in exceptionally inclement conditions, such as heavy rain/snow, which we never get in So Cal) This past spring in Solvang after getting totally soaked in the thunder/hail storm, I stopped for about 90 minutes in Lompoc to dry out & warm up. We can eliminate this rule if the consensus is that we don't need it.

Wow, lots of early birds this morning here/there in So-Cal.:)
Well, I have to get to the gym here soon, get my weights and spin class in, get back to clean my place (I may even clean my closets out if I have time) and then shop! Ugh...it will be a long day for sure. :p And what are you doing up, Sean? Oh, and more importantly, did you say below that you would take the challenge or not? :D

Well, there is a time limit because they'll "sweep" you if you don't finish by a certain time on century rides. But for BA and MC, the ride info on the website (I think those rides belong with Planet Ultra - so check that website) should provide you the rules if any. But for the challenge that Lee is presenting - those are his rules for us Bike Forum riders.

ok thanks. Guess I'll pass and stick with personel challenges. I prefer to keep riding fun.

Wow, lots of early birds this morning here/there in So-Cal.:)

Fell asleep at 9 after a glass of vino...then was up at 4...tried to go back to sleep, but it didn't work. So, here I am...waiting for the sun to come up so I can ride. :)

Sounds like some clarification is needed on a couple of points.

1) A century is any ride over 100 miles, whether it is 100, 112, 130 miles, even 200, all count. If the ride is 200 miles it counts as 2 centuries (hence the description - double century)
We can eliminate this rule if the consensus is that we don't need it.

Okay, fine. By pure coincidence I'm in, because if you read my 2007 cycling goals, every month I have either a double metric, double century, century, triple-century, quadruple-metric-century, five-county-600-mile-jaunt-metric-century...I should be taking the trophy home for sure on this one! :p :p

Oh, and NO, do not eliminate that rule. Some doubles take at least 18 hours to complete (and be counted) and if I recall, the Grand Tour in June gives you 24 hours to do it (because Kermit and the other Wheelman organizers are sweethearts).

Also, what exactly do we win if we complete this Lee? Hmmmmmm....:rolleyes: :D

I've never rode an organized ride. Are those the rules of organized centuries like breathless agony and the Mulholland challenge?
Most organized rides have no rules whatsoever. They are for fun and you just ride and have fun. Breathless Agony, Heartbreak Hundred, and Muholland Challenge have checkpoints with time cut-offs, if you don't make it to the check by a certain time, you don't get credit for the ride toward the "King of the Mountains" jersey. Big whoop. You can still finish the ride, there just might not be any sag.
I did over 50 centuries a year more than once. A century is a term cyclists use to describe a ride of 100 miles in a day. There are NO written rules for this because it is a fun, informal thing. If someone says your ride doesn't count as a century because you stopped for lunch, tell them their opinion doesn't count to you.

I did over 50 centuries a year more than once. A century is a term cyclists use to describe a ride of 100 miles in a day. There are NO written rules for this because it is a fun, informal thing. If someone says your ride doesn't count as a century because you stopped for lunch, tell them their opinion doesn't count to you.

50 centuries in one year! :eek: Okay, you "win." ;) I didn't know that, John. I'm impressed and now you've seriously upped the ante! :D

50 centuries in one year! :eek: Okay, you "win." ;) I didn't know that, John. I'm impressed and now you've seriously upped the ante! :D

+1 :eek: :eek: :eek:

Well, I have to get to the gym here soon, get my weights and spin class in, get back to clean my place (I may even clean my closets out if I have time) and then shop! Ugh...it will be a long day for sure. :p And what are you doing up, Sean? Oh, and more importantly, did you say below that you would take the challenge or not? :D


I guess Im getting used to waking at 5am. I went to bed at 8:30:o so here I am. Im excited about our road ride today. I didnt say anything about the challenge,:rolleyes: but since yoou called me on it yes, I will take the challenge since it falls within my personal goals anyway.:D

50 centuries in one year! :eek: Okay, you "win." ;) I didn't know that, John. I'm impressed and now you've seriously upped the ante! :D
Ahh, those were the days. Younger, leaner, and, most importantly, a job that allowed me every Wednesday off. 12,000 miles in 1990, 9000 in 91 and 92. My friend Mike (self employed) was doing 22-25,000 per year. Seriously, if you can devote the time, doing a century every weekend is doable. Time is the problem, though.

Fell asleep at 9 after a glass of vino...then was up at 4...tried to go back to sleep, but it didn't work. So, here I am...waiting for the sun to come up so I can ride. :)

3:30-4:00 is when we get up. I leave the house at 5:00 when comuting by bike.

If UR going to ride that century u better get going.

I've only done 1 "century", it was 10.5 times around Lake Arrowhead. Did it with short breaks, some forced by Cal Trans. The cateye said it involved 8500 feet of climbing. Had one failed attempt. Tried to ride from Woodland Hills to Lake Arrowhead. Hit the wall at mile 90. Made the mistake of drinking only water. It was 92 degrees at the bottom of the mountain. Plan to do that one again sometime.

3:30-4:00 is when we get up. I leave the house at 5:00 when comuting by bike.

If UR going to ride that century u better get going.


No century for me today...just a short ride to...somewhere?!?!? I have no plan as of yet. :p

Personally the day i can ride non stop for 160kms will be the day I say I rode my first ever century and it will be a really proud moment.

You must have a huge camelback for your hydration needs and the back pockets on your jersey must have an awful lot of food in them. I think the reason that these rides have SAG stops is so that one can rehydrate and fuel themselves. I don't know anyone that can complete a 160kms ride with only 2 water bottles.

Maybe you have someone on the road that follows you so that they can bring you what you need to stay hydrated and fueled. I doubt even Robbie McEwen could finish a 160kms ride on two water bottles with out any additional support.



Personally I dont even like the idea of drafting so a century should be done alone or at the front of any pack so you dont draft. But thats just me.

By that defination I guess most pro riders aren't up to your standards, especially Robbie McEwen, since he is only out in front of the draft for the last 50 meters or so.

I guess Im getting used to waking at 5am. I went to bed at 8:30:o so here I am. Im excited about our road ride today. I didnt say anything about the challenge,:rolleyes: but since yoou called me on it yes, I will take the challenge since it falls within my personal goals anyway.:D
Have a blast on your ride today, Sean! :)

No century for me today...just a short ride to...somewhere?!?!? I have no plan as of yet. :p


San Gabriel River trail....come on..its just up the 605!!!
ride the whole thing...ride part of it...anything you want to do!!!

Ahh, those were the days. Younger, leaner, and, most importantly, a job that allowed me every Wednesday off. 12,000 miles in 1990, 9000 in 91 and 92. My friend Mike (self employed) was doing 22-25,000 per year. Seriously, if you can devote the time, doing a century every weekend is doable. Time is the problem, though.
I'd agree. But with work and life, I rarely have that time. :o Sigh. If only I could win the lottery! Then I'd start the century a day challenge! {insert evil, completely-insane laugh here** ;)

By that defination I guess most pro riders aren't up to your standards, especially Robbie McEwen, since he is only out in front of the draft for the last 50 meters or so.
well it's not really a century unless your pulling a 200lb trailer with all your supplies. climb 20,000 feet and ride solo :D