Peach of a Century and Harvest Century: questions

[Flabulouso]

I just got back into bicycling (in my 2nd week of commuting) for fitness and fun, and I was wondering if I can realistically start training so as to be able to ride in an organized century later this year. I live in Bend, which is a great place for cycling due to the many low-traffic backroads. I have my eye on the Peach Of A Century, held Sept 23 and the Harvest Century, held Oct 7. I don't know how much training I need to do for these, as I don't know the route layout. I've tried to download specs from the ORBIKE site but for some reason my computer locks up whenever I try to download. Does the same thing when I try to download event calender from the bicyclepaper.com website. Maybe my operating system (vista) doesn't like the format?

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone knows about these two centuries and what I should expect. I would only be planning to ride in one of them, so which one would be better for my first organized century? My main concerns are: my ability to complete the ride in a timely fashion (i.e. before they close the finish point!), fun, and good event organization.

Forgive me if some of my questions sound dumb. I'm still really new to this.

Thanks!

[dtrain]

I'm guessing you could pull off a century with 8-9 weeks of training. You may not be real quick, but you'd probably finish one. Do some searching on training for a century. But you also might consider a metric century as your first 'organized ride' goal.

The Peach has a flat 65-mile route and a somewhat more challenging 100-miler. If you haven't had a chance to work up too at least one 60-70 mile ride by mid-Sept. - I'd suggest doing the metric Peach and then maybe the 75 or 100 at the Harvest.

[velocity]

I live in Bend, which is a great place for cycling due to the many low-traffic backroads. Do you ever get to see Chris Horner ridding around out there?
V

[Flabulouso]

Do you ever get to see Chris Horner ridding around out there?V


Sorry, I don't know much about the cycling community or who all the competitive cyclists are, other than Lance Armstrong, who is of course retired. I DO know that there are a lot of competitive cyclists who use central Oregon as a training ground, at least from what I hear in bike shops and such.

Do some searching on training for a century. But you also might consider a metric century as your first 'organized ride' goal.

Thanks, I'll do both of those.:)

Of the two events, is there anything about them that might make one more fun than the other? While I do want to participate for the joy of riding, I've no desire to "pound out the miles" just for its own sake. I want to enjoy myself and the cameraderie of other riders, etc.

[dtrain]

Horner lives in Bend and placed 14th or 15th in this years Tour de France.

[frugal_guy]

I don't know how much training I need to do for these, as I don't know the route layout. I've tried to download specs from the ORBIKE site but for some reason my computer locks up whenever I try to download. Does the same thing when I try to download event calender from the bicyclepaper.com website.

Go Here (http://www.salembicycleclub.org/majrides.html) for the Peach. Maps and elevations are available.

Go Here (http://www.harvestcentury.org/route.htm) for the Harvest Century. Contains maps, elevations and a link to a training schedule.

In general, go to the club sponsoring the ride for the best information.

I agree that it might be a good plan to go for a metric century first, then progress to a full "imperial" century.

Whether you can work up to a full century in the time available is dependent on many factors, notably current fitness level and age. I imply from your moniker (Flabulouso) that you're carrying a few extra pounds. That will make it harder, particularly the climbing. Just for context, I started cycling in February at 235 lbs. (age 53) and easily made it through the Monster Cookie Metric Century at the end of April. By that time, I had ridden almost 1000 miles and had lost 20 lbs. I rode the full Pioneer Century (my first) on June 2nd after 1600 miles and minus 27 lbs. You're probably younger and can train for it in fewer miles and less time.

Of course, if you're not used to this level of exercise, check with you're doctor before getting too far into this. BTW: I highly recommend getting a heart monitor for training. One of my biggest risks was that I tend to try for too much too soon. My heart monitor helped me progress at a realistic pace. Overtraining is a good way to get injured and to set back your schedule.

Remember that both of these rides are getting pretty late in the year and weather could be questionable. It's better to be mentally prepared, and equipped to ride in the rain than to train for months for a target and have to cancel at the last minute because of weather.

I'm planning on riding both of these centuries rain or shine. :D Hope to see you there!

[dtrain]

Of the two events, is there anything about them that might make one more fun than the other? While I do want to participate for the joy of riding, I've no desire to "pound out the miles" just for its own sake. I want to enjoy myself and the cameraderie of other riders, etc.

Well they are somewhat different. The Salem ride (Peach) will have more people and is closer for you. We had a good turnout of Bike Forums Members at that last year. I think the Harvest ride had a live band and party scene at the finish last year - but is slated a little late in the year to draw as big a crowd (not to mention the increased chance that wet weather will have set in). If you end up targeting the 65 or 75 mile versions, the Salem one is flatter/easier. But some of the roads on the Peach are a bit rougher (chipseal).

[dtrain]

By that time, I had ridden almost 1000 miles and had lost 20 lbs. I rode the full Pioneer Century (my first) on June 2nd after 1600 miles and minus 27 lbs.

Wow...congrats! I gotta lose some weight. :( I put in a lot of miles and additional time at the gym; but i think my caloric intake is doing me in. :o

[velocity]

Horner lives in Bend and placed 14th or 15th in this years Tour de France.

It was 15th but was the first to attack on the Champs of stage 20 he definitly will do better next year. They are talking about having national teams too and he would definitely be one of them. Consider that he had a better finishing place then George Hincappi.
M