Fifty Plus (50+) - First Century

Saturday I completed my first century, 102 miles, 16 MPH average speed, 3800 feet elevation. Interesting observation, got faster after the first fifty and the group was cruising at 22 mph for the last 15 miles or so. I guess we smelled the barn. My anxiety about this distance was way over rated, although we did keep our speed under control early in the ride.

The only thing that was sore on Sunday was my forearms. Can't wait for the next one.

Congrats!

Congrats on the milestone. Great attitude! :thumb:

Congrats, that's a speedy time.

Now you can impress your friends. When they ask you how far you have gone. you can say 102 miles. When they gasp in amazement, you can tell them it really is not that hard. The modesty impresses people.

Excellent! That final segment speed is extremely impressive.

Saturday I completed my first century, 102 miles, 16 MPH average speed, 3800 feet elevation. Interesting observation, got faster after the first fifty and the group was cruising at 22 mph for the last 15 miles or so. I guess we smelled the barn. My anxiety about this distance was way over rated, although we did keep our speed under control early in the ride.

The only thing that was sore on Sunday was my forearms. Can't wait for the next one.

Congrats!

Did your group stay together for the entire route? Did you stop at the sag stops?

This was not an organized ride, just a group from the shop. 2 planned deli stops, 2 gel stops and 2 mechanicals (both me). I found the only piece of metal on the road the size of a flea to penetrate a brand new tire at mile 18 and at mile 90 had the sidewall sliced enough to blow the same tire. The dollar bill in the tire trick got it home. I'm getting very good at changing tubes.

We are a no drop group and everyone hung in to the end. The next event ride for our group is the Mile High ride, total climbing will be 5,280 feet in a much shorter distance.

With the repairs, tire repair tricks, deli stops, mileage, adn average speed, you've had quite a ride! Congrats on your first century.

Wow! Congrats on a great ride. :thumb:

Congratulations!

WAY TO GO!!!!
Mine is in less then two weeks.

That is funny you say you thought you got stronger as the ride went on, because I feel that way on my longer rides, but I just thought I was crazy. (O.K. maybe I am):p

So was it as hard as you thought? People have told me that just the excitement of the event will take you an extra 20 miles.

The mental aspect caused more anxiety than it was worth. The advice here about building base miles should be taken as gospel. Everyone in the group has at least 1000 miles in their legs this season with several 75 mile rides so this wasn't a huge leap in terms of miles, just a progression. We were very good about hydration and gels every hour, deli stops were for fruit and fluids, then we moved on. Stops were longer than we would have liked but we were 8 strong and waiting on line to purchase goods took more time than expected. Five of us had never gone 100 miles so we were concerned but the training really paid off.

Respect :speedy: :50:

george

Anything over 15 mph is WAY too fast. Slow down and smell the Butt Butt'r. :roflmao2:

Great Job!!! Now you're ready for your next one.

Very respectable effort. Congratulations!:beer::beer:

congratulations! sounds like you have a very cool crew with whom to ride!
the speed increasing for the final "kicker" is wild. either everyone was motivated to return or you've got some buff hammerheads who can lay down serious wattage.

Congrats!! Being with a good group was key, I think.

:beer:

It's an awesome feeling to finish your 1st century, and you sound as though you finished fresh and exhilarated.

When's your next one?

Way to go! Congratulations on a great first century.

Congratulations, that's some great riding and what a achievement, WOW.

aim for one century each for the remaining months of the summer.
think what it could do for round-the-calendar fitness levels!!!

if you enjoyed reading HenryL's ride description, you also like this other one (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=422387) here on these pages!