Fifty Plus (50+) - Wondering if a century is worth the effort

Last weekend I completed another 100 mile ride. That was my sixth century in the past 12 months. As is normal, I was exhausted after the ride. I did not want to do much of anything the rest of that day or on Sunday.

This makes me take a look at my riding. I have completed several metric centuries. After the metric rides I have been tired, but enjoyed the ride. Also, I recovered later that day and was ready to return to normal activities the next day.

Is it worth the effort to ride past a point where you can recover the same day? I know that some people ride double centuries and some ride a maximum of 25 miles, so my question is not about a specific number of miles, but about riding past a point that you can physically recover by the next day.

Some would say yes. But I think it's an individual decision. You have to decide how much bicycling can you afford in your life. I'd ask Mrs. BikeArkansas.

It's only worth it, well...if it's worth it.

I prefer metric centuries also. it's enough riding to satisfy me

I think this falls into the 'which is the best saddle/shoe/short' category. To each his
own. I agree, metric is a nice stopping point for me also which balances recovery
versus being snowed for the next 12hrs. 5 yrs ago I had a hard time even completing
a century and sagged in at 60-85 mi on several. Kind of a psychic blow after having
done a century in 5H20' in '00. About a year ago I began stoking on a tandem and
riding longer and longer rides and we just completed our third weekend out and back
centuries, moteling it Sat nite. Counter to my years ago experience, I was able to
stay awake driving home! Centuries still take it out of me but the recovery is
much faster than I would have believed possible 2 yrs ago. (One other contribution
was to switch from lipitor to zocor, muscle aches whole lot less with zocor; and
perhaps an LAD stent might have helped also :D)
And then there was the guy that rode 86mi out with us on Sat, turned
around and rode 86mi back to the car and rode a century on Sun this past
weekend.

I've ridden two centuries. The first was years ago and solo. The second was a couple of weeks ago captaining a tandem on an organized ride. I'm pleased to have completed both of these rides, but don't plan to put centuries into my normal routine, although I won't rule out another at some point. I ride for fun and fitness, and the last 30 miles of each ride contributed to neither.

Cheers!

I don't make a steady diet of centurys, one or two a year is fine. This year I am contemplating 3. I prefer a metric as well, have done 1 so far this year and plan to do 6 more. Our local bike club does a century weekend, many people I know do the metric two days in a row.

I have done one double, two hilly double metrics, and a few assorted centuries and metrics, but that was all in the past. Since I currently tend to bonk after 35-40 mi / 60-65 km or so, I am slowly working my way back up to where I can knock off a metric century comfortably.

I suppose from a pure logic point of view it is not worth it. We humans unfortunately do not operate on pure logic. I'm in no rush to do my first century. Primarily because I ride slow. Maybe it's my age, medication, weight, or physical condition. No doubt all the above, but when I do ride that 100 miles I will be lucky to complete it under 11 hours. And probably even more lucky if I'm recovered by the following day. But it does represent a goal I'm shooting for this year. It will probably be worth it only to myself for just a few days. Wife will think I'm nuts. Kids will feel a little happiness for me. But after those few days I'll question it's worth as you are now. And in my case I probably will not repeat it.

Centuries are a goal every year and most years (for the last 20) I have completed 1 or 2. Metric centuries suit my lifestyle better as other pursuits (wife, teenage kids, job, yard work, kayak, ski patrol, etc) rob me of saddle time. Presently I try to ride 4 times per week, 16 - 18 mph, for at least 5 total hours. When the kids are on their own and the job becomes part time then I will allocate more time to all my healthy, outdoor pursuits - God willing.

I do them if my friends are, that adds a lot for me. Sometimes they are so memorable, like the century I did this past Saturday. A tough ride, but everything just fell into place. The weather was perfect, friends were there, one of my favorite routes, and the support was the best. Pics in the Sunday ride thread.

Sounds like you are not taking on enough nutrition before during or after the ride. It doesn't have to leave you so wiped out.

How about recognizing that you are fifty, or more? Try listening to what your body is telling you and acting accordingly. It's Zen, my man. It's one thing to build up to it slowly, and another to continually go way past your limit. What's the big hurry? Trying to get to your last day ahead of the grim reaper? bk

I've done 4 centuries and one double this year. I'm signed up to do Seattle to Portland. I may well toss in another 1 or 2 100 milers.

I'm 54. How much longer can I do this stuff? Not long. I'm doing it while I can.

Plus, you get a patch, or a tee shirt, or the opportunity to buy a jersey. How can that not be worth it?

Any thing worth doing is worth over doing!

Any thing worth doing is worth over doing!


That's ALWAYS been my motto!:D
And look what it's did for me:twitchy::twitchy:

Centuries are worth it. I do unsupported centuries. This year, I plan to do one each month I'm off (I teach). I average about 12 to 13 miles per hour, and bring a change of clothes.

I found that Hammer Nutrition products perpetuem, recoverite, help me get back on the bike and keep me going. I usually take the next day off.

BTW, I'm 59 years old. I see things on centuries that take my breath away, wetlands, full moons over lakes, spider webs forming on my bike as I ride. Plus, the ability to ride these distances is a personal affront to my arthritis.

How about recognizing that you are fifty, or more? bk

I was 51 when I rode my first century, and have completed 17 since then, mostly on the tandem.

It's not about age so much as training. You can't expect to go from 30 miles to 100 without some uncomfortable consequences. You have to have some distance rides in between those epic rides to keep your endurance and tolerance for long rides and sustained work high.

Those last 20 miles can be tough, even with good nutrition and preparation; however, the ride shouldn't leave you that beaten up. That said, I agree with others who've said that everyone responds differently, and each ride you'll respond differently.

Maybe it's time to reassess your goals, or your training. Just keep the fun alive -- because if it isn't fun, it won't be done.

Is it worth the effort to ride past a point where you can recover the same day? I know that some people ride double centuries and some ride a maximum of 25 miles, so my question is not about a specific number of miles, but about riding past a point that you can physically recover by the next day.
If you are riding yourself into a state of exhaustion - then of course, what's the point? My question is: "What is it about the way you ride these long rides that you have not discovered how to maintain your well being?"

Certainly, the point of challenging yourself to ride farther and faster is a part of bicycling. However, learning how to cope and manage your energy for your own enjoyment is a skill, if not an art, to be accomplished as well.

You may be riding at the wrong effort level, on the wrong rides, for the wrong reasons, you'll have to figure that out for yourself. No one else can possibly know.

What's the big hurry? Trying to get to your last day ahead of the grim reaper? bk

I've seen him, he's out there!
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/ba-1.jpg

I do recreational things for all sorts of reasons. I ride centuries for a sense of accomplishment. For me the first 50 miles are fun, the next 30 are tedious and hard, and the last 20 are an odd mixture of agony and elation when I think I'm actually going to make it. I'm not much good for anything afterwards except walking slowly and enjoying the glow of endorphins, plus the relief that it's over and I made it. The next day is pretty much shot too, except for laying around, but there's still a glow - this time it's the feeling of accomplishment.

Hi big john,

Great photo of Colleen with the Reaper! The "ICY" sign in the background is good, but the "Onyx Summit, 8,440 Feet" would have been better! I think this is actually a Chuck Bramwell photo, yes?

As I've said before, centuries are great training for doubles! Supported or self-supported, it's all good.

Recovery wise, sometimes it's scary. After the Heartbreak 100 on Sat. I rode the club ride with some of the fast guys, thinking, "Well, I'll see how long I can hang on . . . " and actually did 32 miles with an 18 mph average, though there was some pace-lining in there. Pretty funny! Guess I recovered alright!

Then the next day (Monday, Memorial Day) I rode 68 miles with 6,000 feet of climbing with my wife and her friend Roseanne, and felt great, lots of power and no pain. And I'm 58, plus, certainly not a naturally gifted rider (as Richard Cranium and big john both know!).

So, to the OP, I say, "Be sure to eat right during and after the ride (pretty much immediately after), then go for an easy (emphasis on easy) ride the following day, maybe 20 miles or so." Recovery rides really do your body good. I recommend a single-speed or fixed gear as a speed-limiting device, but whatever works for you!

Rick / OCRR

It is hard work to do 100 miles without stops or minimum time stops. I have done many of those and they do not come easy.
OTOH doing 50 miles 8:00 to 11:00 AM is fun for me. After that I do a long stop and a long lunch and walk around and relax. Next do the other 50 miles from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. This is not a race schedule but a lets enjoy life schedule.
Why do it at all? It is nice to be fit. Frequent centuries like this keep me fit. I can eat what I want (reasonably) and I am out in Nature which I like a lot. Mosquitoes do not bite me and the summer heat is reduced due to wind factor. Life is good.

I've done three so far this year, and would like to do many more. I only did three total last year. I'm not bored with them yet :)

Still it can be too much. On one of the rides I was wasted the next day. Not only tired and sluggish, but my heart rate was elevated, and I was light-headed. Not great.

Also my standards are getting higher. I won't do one just to do one any more, especially unsupported. I want to see different areas or ride with different styles of groups.

On a really great day, doing only 60, 70, 80 miles seems like a wasted day...

"Post-partum depression" is well recognized among runners, many of whom train for a year or two so they can run their first marathon, then in the days after wonder "Why did I dedicate a year of my life to THAT?".

They also accept that it might take from 1-3 weeks until life starts making sense again.

I don't see this written about in the cycling literature, but I'm sure its the same phenominon. My suggestion is not to make up your mind until about three weeks from now. If centuries no longer have an appeal, train for something else. Like an IronMan.

It takes time to prepare for a century. Its mostly conditioning, long hours of riding. Once you get the body to get used to this type of riding, then its not going to be a problem. This practice also includes taking nutrition breaks and getting enough hydration.

During the century, if its properly supported, make sure you stop at every rest stop and get the nutrition and hydration. Then after the century make sure you get a lot of electrolytes back into your body as soon as possible.

Okay, I was reading along with interest and had no intent to comment since I've never done a century (yet?). But there's something missing... FUN. Is it fun? Training to the point you CAN ride a century is no doubt great for your health, but going out and riding a hundred miles in a day isn't really about getting in shape. If you aren't having fun it isn't worth it, period.

Please note, doing something that sorta hurts but gives you a great sense of accomplishment may be defined as fun for this discussion. It's something you want to do and feel happy to have done, even if sort of wiped out the next day. If you don't feel happy at the end you've wasted a day you could have spent fishing.

Hi big john,

Great photo of Colleen with the Reaper! The "ICY" sign in the background is good, but the "Onyx Summit, 8,440 Feet" would have been better! I think this is actually a Chuck Bramwell photo, yes?

Rick / OCRR

Yes, that's Chuck's camera work, I should have credited him. I just wanted a shot of the reaper. As to Colleen, if I was there this year, she would have finished her post ride lunch before I got to the summit!
Oh, we did the Francis ride Saturday and it was amazing. Weather was perfect! A few pics in the Sunday ride thread.

Don't know if anybody has brought this up yet, but according to current sports science, the fact that you don't fully recover the same day is just a sign that you've pushed yourself beyond your body's comfort zone. Nothing wrong with that physiologically - that's how you improve; you just need a recovery day afterwards. That's why most training programs are built around the hard day / easy day sequence. 'Course this says nothing about whether or not it's "worth it" - that's a question only you can answer.

SP

I do recreational things for all sorts of reasons. I ride centuries for a sense of accomplishment. For me the first 50 miles are fun, the next 30 are tedious and hard, and the last 20 are an odd mixture of agony and elation when I think I'm actually going to make it. I'm not much good for anything afterwards except walking slowly and enjoying the glow of endorphins, plus the relief that it's over and I made it. The next day is pretty much shot too, except for laying around, but there's still a glow - this time it's the feeling of accomplishment.

Exactly. A guy I know who puts on alot of miles every year(7000+) says the best thing to do post century ride is to take a walk the next day, couple of miles. The feeling of having your goose cooked for several days after a century is not a good one but the sense of doing something is great!

No comments on the time it takes to complete a century?

>I'm 54. How much longer can I do this stuff? Not long. I'm doing it while I can.<

Well, at least six years longer.:) I'm 60 and I rode my last century a little over a month ago.

I was wondering how someone like Will Dehne can do a Century everyday for 30 days in a row. Was he a professional when he was younger? I feel so intimidated by his feat. I always think to myself if there are people out there older than I that can do that, why should just a single Century be so hard for me?

You may be riding at the wrong effort level, ...

That described me last Sunday on the Baltimore Bike Club's club ride of the Civil War Century. I chased this skinny little runt up most of the hills and about killed myself by the time I completed the ride. The runt bailed out before the climb at mile 58. He asked if I wanted to bail out with him, but I came to do a century, and come hell or high water, I was going to finish it even if it killed me. And, it nearly did--leg cramps and much salt loss even though I was supplementing with SportsLegs from the beginning.

I'm ready for another century this weekend. It'll be my 15th? for the year, so far.

The profile of last Sunday's ride looks like this:

http://www.baltobikeclub.org/uploads/images/9rwn1GHvKIg75-WU7znJsw/CWCprofile.jpg

Rhetorical question. Only you can answer if a century is worth the effort.

I've done enough centuries to say that post 100 miles- And I wonder if it was worth it. But the challenge of the thing still lifts me through the doubt. I will no longer be doing my offroad 100 milers- At my age I have had enough of punishing the body for that length of time. But these road centuries? Can't say they are easy as there is that funny thing called weather- hills and wind to cope with. But compared to what I used to do- they are easier.

Only problem is that I find them boring. 6 or 7 hours of just turning the pedals gets through to me. Metrics seem to be about the right distance for me though. 4 to 5 hours is a comfortable ride. Especially if there is enough climbing in it to say that you have worked hard at some point of the ride.

Saying that and all I look for on my rides is a couple of hills. 20 miles of up and down before PIE and coffee and then finish off with 30 to 40 of flatter bits.

Or I will be when I can leave this damn pool for a couple of weeks.

I was wondering how someone like Will Dehne can do a Century everyday for 30 days in a row. Was he a professional when he was younger? I feel so intimidated by his feat. I always think to myself if there are people out there older than I that can do that, why should just a single Century be so hard for me?

No, I was no professional but National level rowing from age 16 to 22. After that I did little in sports until age 45. There was a wake-up call due to obesity and general feeling of unwellness. I exercised but did not get serious until age 63. That is when I decided to train for Cross Country going fast. That means 100 miles in 6 hours, biking time, day after day.

A century is boring?
There is a continuous Rail to Trail from Reedsburg, WI to Trempealeau, WI. on the Mississippi. It is 100 miles through rolling hills with meadows, woods, rivers, small towns, tunnels and no cars. They call it God's country and I think it is.

I never get tired of that double century. The weather makes it interesting, always. From tornado's to the most beautiful weather you can wish for. My wife and I will vacation there soon and stretch it for 4 days because it is so nice. Lots of motels and places to eat.

OK - as the OP of this thread I will make a few points. I am 59 years old. I started riding seriously just under two years ago. I am averaging 100 miles per week from January 1 to today.

My question was meant to determine if riding to the point that it takes me an extra day to recover a bad thing to do for my body. As far as being able to push myself there is no problem. I was a varsity athlete in college and became very aware that being tired does not mean you need to let up or stop. Someone else could fill that scholarship spot if you did let up. However, at the age of early twenty something I could recover in a couple of hours. Not the case now.

I normally ride a century in about 6 1/2 hours, sometimes longer, sometimes less. I could take considerably longer to make the ride and not be as tired, but I like the pace I am riding. I just wanted some opinions as to whether pushing myself to the limits like I am will cause any problems other than the longer recovery time.

Thanks for all the comments.

OK - as the OP of this thread I will make a few points. I am 59 years old. I started riding seriously just under two years ago. I am averaging 100 miles per week from January 1 to today.

My question was meant to determine if riding to the point that it takes me an extra day to recover a bad thing to do for my body. As far as being able to push myself there is no problem. I was a varsity athlete in college and became very aware that being tired does not mean you need to let up or stop. Someone else could fill that scholarship spot if you did let up. However, at the age of early twenty something I could recover in a couple of hours. Not the case now.

I normally ride a century in about 6 1/2 hours, sometimes longer, sometimes less. I could take considerably longer to make the ride and not be as tired, but I like the pace I am riding. I just wanted some opinions as to whether pushing myself to the limits like I am will cause any problems other than the longer recovery time.

Thanks for all the comments.

We had a group of 32 bikers do 120 miles per day for 25 biking days. Most made it except a few hammerheads who exceeded their capabilities. These bikers exceeded 20 MPH average in the mountains. That caused issues including one guy dead.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=410516&highlight=

OK - as the OP of this thread I will make a few points. I am 59 years old. I started riding seriously just under two years ago. I am averaging 100 miles per week from January 1 to today.

My question was meant to determine if riding to the point that it takes me an extra day to recover a bad thing to do for my body. As far as being able to push myself there is no problem. I was a varsity athlete in college and became very aware that being tired does not mean you need to let up or stop. Someone else could fill that scholarship spot if you did let up. However, at the age of early twenty something I could recover in a couple of hours. Not the case now.

I normally ride a century in about 6 1/2 hours, sometimes longer, sometimes less. I could take considerably longer to make the ride and not be as tired, but I like the pace I am riding. I just wanted some opinions as to whether pushing myself to the limits like I am will cause any problems other than the longer recovery time.

Thanks for all the comments.

Have you spoken to your doctor about this? There are things you can do to help the recovery, too. I find if I stay hydrated and eat a lot during centuries, I feel better afterward. I also force myself to drink lots of water in the evening, that helps, too. You can also do self massage to help the legs. I always ride again the next day and it loosens me up and helps any aches I have.

I've only ridden two centuries, but I've experienced that good that "walking it off" does. By noon the day after the centuries, I'd walked about two hours at work, and although I could tell I was still a bit tired, any stiffness or ache had disapeared.

If you are not enjoying it, don't do it. Metrics are regular weekend events, sometimes one each day but a full century takes too much time out of my day. I enjoy cycling but don't want to spend the whole weekend recovering or riding for that matter.

What does recover mean? I just did the Sequoia Century. It had a lot of climbing and I was beat at the end. Next day I bike commuted to work, played lunch tennis and rode home.
My tennis was.... slow. My commute was slow. I wasn't 100%, but I wasn't dead.

If it takes you days to feel even OK you aren't trained enough. If you can tell you rode a long way the day after, you know you're alive.

There are centuries, and then there are centuries.
Some folks ride to improve their time, some just ride 'cause it's
fun. I've only ridden one century. I rode at a leisuly pace for me,
which may be a crawl for most of the folks on this forum and I
rode it on a LWB Recumbent. No pain, no strain, no recovery time
required. I commuted to my 12.5 hour day shift at the refinery
the next morning @04:00 am.

The century did get boring around the 60 mile mark, but I rode it solo,
unsupported in a couple of big loops around my side of the city.

All it was really worth to me was bragging rights and the knowledge that
indeed I could do it.

I used to ride a 115-mile ride every year on July 7th, my birthday, just to prove to everybody that I wasn't getting any older. I stopped that when I couldn't even convince myself.

Color me impressed!
I've got an oxygen transfer problem so same day recovery after a serious ride simply isn't in the cards.
I think it took about 2 after last seasons metric (forget full)
But to answer your question. I DO cycle to keep the grim reaper at bay.
At 65 I'm beyond the point where I'm in competition with anyone but myself. If I can up my average speed by 1mph every season I'm happy
Hell,If I don't see my name in the obits I'm happy!

If what you want or where you want to be is at the end of the 50 miles (round trip century) then yes, it is worth doing.
Question: WHY do a "century" in competition only? I've ridden a century plus to Key West (60 some miles one way from home) just because I wanted to go to Key West, and finding a parking space in Key West is almost always an impossibility in the down town area, traffic on Duvall St. makes walking or biking faster than driving, and you see more when walking or biking.

Any time you ride 50 miles from home you are in effect doing a "century" so enjoy the ride, you do not have to finish in 4 hours or less every time. Relax and finish in 10 hours, if you feel like taking it easy, perhaps your "better half" and the kids would/could ride with you at a slower non-competitive pace.

I went on a charity ride Saturday that had 75K and 100K routes, and did the 75. But, people doing the 100K were catching up to me after making their extra 25k loop. I was just pretty well drenched with sweat when I got back, and I saw a lot of people that didn't look like they had sweated at all. So my point here is that the amount it takes out of you is highly dependent on the rider. I probably worked harder than 90% of the roadies that were zipping past me. For me to ride a century would be like them riding 200 miles in a day.

As to whether it's worth it, that just depends on you. I ran into a similar issue hiking up mountains in Colorado. But one difference there was that I could say I had been up this or that peak, and didn't feel like I had to go up it every year.

I think on all of the charity rides I've been on, they've had a choice of lengths, and that choice is just so people don't feel obligated to do 100 or bust trying. If it's not fun, cut back the distance until it is fun. If it's fun at 100 miles, stick with it.

Somewhere, that I can't find now, is an article by Sheldon Brown on why he thought the Metric Century was the perfect distance.

Hello. this my first post.

I just turned 50, and have only been riding 4 years (i was a swimmer as a youngster, and have discovered biking as an excellent and more convenient aerobic workout activity). I bike only in the summer/fall, before work, 15 miles every other day, 16-17mph mostly flat. my goal is to ride 15miles everyday. Last summer i accidentally rode a 50 mile group ride (i missed the turn for the 35m). it was more hilly than i was used to, but felt ok at the end of the day.

Is a century within reason for someone like me? (it would be a fairly flat ride), or does one need to undergo a concerted training effort ? i was starting to get bored at the end of the 50, and an thinking maybe i'm not cut out for a long ride (at this point i dont have riding buddies).

Thanks much for any insight you might have.