Northern California - Marin Century...

Hello,,, newbie here. I'm riding the Marin Century on Aug 4th. Been out of cycling for the last 10 years- out meaning less than 1000 miles/year. Back in the days, did the Solvang Cent and all the other fun rides in So Cal. I'm also 44 yrs old, and have close to 500 base miles this year. So, is the Marin Cent tougher or easier than the Solvang Cen.? Also, considering the low base mileage, should I just do the Metric century? Thank you in advance... and see you guys at the ride...

Jesus,
You should try joining us for the Giro this weekend. Sign up for maybe for something a little more than you are comfortable with, and build up the miles leading up to Marin. You have some base mileage so far (500 miles is still pretty good). Marin Century has about 800 feet more climbing than Solvang. Plus, you'll be battling heat on Marin, so I would say it's a little tougher.

Also, considering the low base mileage, should I just do the Metric century? Thank you in advance... and see you guys at the ride...

How familiar are you with the route? There aren't any super-long or steep climbs on the traditional Marin Century route, but there are constant short climbs and rollers.

The 60-mile route includes all but a couple of the biggest climbs on the 100-mile route. So if you can do the metric, you should be able to do the century as well, as long as you think your wrists/back/butt/etc. can endure the extra saddle time the century will require.

I.E., it sounds like you've probably been doing fairly short rides this year, so you may not want to jump up to a 6 - 8 hour ride if the longest you've ridden this year is, say, a 2-hour ride, simply for comfort reasons. But if you could get some longer rides in between now and then to get your body acclimated to more hours in the saddle, then you might consider the century.

I was in a similar situation this Spring, doing no riding to speak of except commuting to work (56mi/wk). I did a two-week "crash" program before the Canyon Classic Century 2-1/2 weeks ago and I was fine (I have a ride report in the NorCal forum). For two weeks I did ~64 milers on Saturday and two ~33 milers during the week on my way to work, about 340 total miles over two weeks.

The only problems I had on the century was the 94° temperature (I had been training in San Mateo county where it was cool) and a little butt soreness (I since changed the saddle on my commute bike so all my miles are on identical saddles, so my commutes count as "butt training" miles now:) ). My only advice is train under as simular temperature/grade/sun/bicycle conditions to the Century as you can.

The only problems I had on the century was the 94° temperature
interesting you should mention this. I had a similar problem on a double century I did in SoCal ... Grand Tour. My difficulties began once we started climbing, and sun came out. I wouldn't say it was really hot, but the sun was beating down on me with high intensity. Perhaps heat training is in order.

I'm not going to be much help but wanted to say that if you can do a few longer rides (including some hills) during July, you'll probably be okay for the century. I am signed up for the standard century and looking forward to it! :p

Red Rider and I will be there on our Tandem doing the standard century. Looking forward to the beautiful ride.

I'll be there doing the metric with TnT!