Preparing for a century ride

[biltu]

Hi, I am planning my first century ride for Nov 17 of 2007. I am training on a mountain bike with MTB tires. I am planning to change my tires for slick tires.
Do you guys think I will be able to finish my 100 mile ride in Nov, if I put in about 100 miles a week + 60 some miles on the weekends.?

Also, any strength training tips?

[Chaco]

If you can do 65 to 70 miles in a day, and feel OK, you'll be able to do a century.
Just be sure to read up on nutrition during and after the ride, so you don't bonk.

[supcom]

I'd take off the knobby tires and just ride faster to get in the workload.

If you can manage 60 miles comfortably in one ride, you can do 100 so long as you take it easy. If you are only doing 30 miles per day on a weekend, then you will have difficulty with 100 miles.

[powerglide]

yes

[Aloyzius]

The slicks will also make your training rides far more enjoyable, and productive. Knobbies on the road can be discouraging. You'll be surprised how much better you ride.

I would also check out some more of these threads in this section. There are some great tips on nutrition and training right here.

Good luck, you'll do fine. Is it an organized century and where is this going to take place?

[Toddorado]

I swear by Forte Versa-Trac tires. Great road tires for a mountain bike, and inexpensive.

[chill123]

u can defo do it. i have gone from the occaisional 20 mile ride to a comfortable solo century in about 2.5 months. long steady rides once a week, a couple of days intervals and plenty of rest/recovery rides are your friends.

nutrition is key - eat lots (i found varying intake helps; some gel, energy bar, some bagel, bananas etc) and don't go out too fast.

good luck!!!