Northern California - Century a month

I've heard of people trying to ride a century each month but never tried it myself. Well it's just my luck that there are 4 more days in January to get the year's first century under my belt. One of those days is even on a weekend!

I was thinking the easiest way for to get my first 100 miler of the year would be to ride from my house to the start of Saturday's Patterson Pass ride. This will give me 37 miles. Then I think Ron's proposed loop is about 65 miles after which I'd just take bart home.

Anyone else interested in this?

I am just now reaching the level where I can probably do 100. I did 81 last Sunday and it whipped me. I should really try to squeeze in my century before the end of January so I can join the club.

I am contemplating a century a month this year too, just to have a goal, and to give me an incentive to get my mileage up this year. I only did 2,500 last year and it wasn't enough.

I'm actually thinking of doing back-to-back centuries this weekend (I'm a bachelor this weekend). Going to go down the coast to Santa Cruz and back on Friday and Saturday. I've never done back-to-back centuries before, so I thought it would be a good time to try.

I would welcome company also, if anyone is interested.

You guys inspire me! My longest ride last year was 72 miles and my typical long rides were only about 40 miles. To do 100 miles every month would be pretty impressive!!!

What's your proposed route?

You guys inspire me! My longest ride last year was 72 miles and my typical long rides were only about 40 miles. To do 100 miles every month would be pretty impressive!!!

Just to make you feel better. My longest ride is 55 miles and my normal rides are 25-30 miles. Does that help? These guys who talk about double centuries are just plain nuts

I'd do something like this:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2520658

How about the polo field century?

Just to make you feel better. My longest ride is 55 miles and my normal rides are 25-30 miles. Does that help? These guys who talk about double centuries are just plain nuts

A century isn't that bad. When I did my first one my longest ride up to that point was only 55 miles. I was afraid I wouldn't make it, but we stopped like every 20 miles and ate cookies and brownies and all other kinds of good things, not to mention the post ride meal! I think I gained about 3 pounds.

I've never done a double though. My longest rides have been about 115 which I've done several times. After that I usually really want to stop. :D

I'll try the century a month, which I haven't done yet. I've already done a couple this month and plan to do another on Saturday.

How about the polo field century?

Yes, I have to try and figure out a good date for that one. :D

How about the polo field century?

What's that? Go clockwise 50 times, then counter-clockwise 50 times? Sounds like fun! :eek:

I think the GGP Polo Field is 2/3 mile so 150 times around. Don't forget to get tires that are fatter on the left side :D

SoCal BF group does a CAM Challenge, or Century-a-Month. I almost completed it in 2007, but I suffered major burnout by the time October came around, and didn't complete my 2 centuries for November and December. So it's been done ... just a matter if you are up for the challenge.

Now you got me contemplating completing a century ... decisions decisions ...

Going out of town for a non-cycling excursion on Saturday.

Crit on Sunday.... Damn!

January is going to be a weak month for me.... sigh

Good thing I am doing TWO night rides this week. ;)

If I do Saturday's Patterson Pass ride, I'll ride over from Fremont. We can meet and ride over from like Fremont Bart or the Niles staging area right off Mission blvd.

The Palomares/Dublin Canyon/Foothill/Niles loop plus out and back from my house in south Fremont is around 45mi. Should be about the same if I cut out Palomares and add the few mile to Bart. So about 110 total.

I think the GGP Polo Field is 2/3 mile so 150 times around.

That might be worse than riding a trainer for couple hours. :lol:

If I do Saturday's Patterson Pass ride, I'll ride over from Fremont. We can meet and ride over from like Fremont Bart or the Niles staging area right off Mission blvd.

The Palomares/Dublin Canyon/Foothill/Niles loop plus out and back from my house in south Fremont is around 45mi. Should be about the same if I cut out Palomares and add the few mile to Bart. So about 110 total.

What time would we have to leave Bart? I was thinking of just doing the Niles Canyon thing all the way to Foothill, then do Palomares on the way back. Is that what you were going to do?

That might be worse than riding a trainer for couple hours. :lol:

Nah, nothing is worse than the trainer.:lol:

Constant rider and I (& 3 others) did a 30 lap (20 mile) paceline ride at the polo field tonight averaging about 23mph. With 5 of us there we would each lead for 2 laps then pull off and go to the back and draft. Each of us had 3 turns pulling the group for 2 laps. A century would ONLY be 5 of those in a row. Piece of cake.

Constant rider and I (& 3 others) did a 30 lap (20 mile) paceline ride at the polo field tonight averaging about 23mph. With 5 of us there we would each lead for 2 laps then pull off and go to the back and draft. Each of us had 3 turns pulling the group for 2 laps. A century would ONLY be 5 of those in a row. Piece of cake.

Amazing stuff you guys at the Polo Field at night no less, sometimes I can't get myself to go out riding during days. :p

Hey Chris what kind of lights you using out there? I see they run anywhere from $20 to $500

I'm also interested in the Polo Fields. Is it open to public at all times? Is it safe at night to do solo (i.e., is anyone else around)? Based on your speeds, I assume that it's paved and not gravel. It's also a flat track and not a banked velodrome, right? I might give it a try some night.

I'm also interested in the Polo Fields. Is it open to public at all times? Is it safe at night to do solo (i.e., is anyone else around)? Based on your speeds, I assume that it's paved and not gravel. It's also a flat track and not a banked velodrome, right? I might give it a try some night.

Yes, it's open at all times to the public and it's a flat track, paved. As for nighttime conditions, you have to ask Chris, Pete, or Constantrider. I assume, nobody else is out there at night...:eek:

I'm also interested in the Polo Fields. Is it open to public at all times? Is it safe at night to do solo (i.e., is anyone else around)?

There are usually people riding in the early evening -- 5PM to 7:30PM or 8:00PM. After that, it seems to get pretty deserted. I haven't heard of anyone having problems there re: safety, but if I'm the only one out there, I usually don't stay too long.

Re: a different kind of safety issue -- since you aren't dealing with cars, you might not think a strong light is really necessary. But there's the occasional raccoon, skunk, dog, ninja jogger/walker on the track, so the more light you have, the better.

What time would we have to leave Bart? I was thinking of just doing the Niles Canyon thing all the way to Foothill, then do Palomares on the way back. Is that what you were going to do?


It's ~18 miles taking Foothill, should be about an hour with a few guys and no wind. Depending on how we feel, we can take Palomares or Niles on the way back.

edit: maybe should discuss in the Patterson Pass 1/31? thread http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=505280

Amazing stuff you guys at the Polo Field at night no less, sometimes I can't get myself to go out riding during days. :p

Hey Chris what kind of lights you using out there? I see they run anywhere from $20 to $500

Dinotte 200 Lumen. I got it (including batteries & charger) for $120 at Nashbar a couple months ago on ConstantRider's recommendation.

I've never felt unsafe out there.

The turns are slightly banked. I've gone up to 35mph on the track (motorpaced behind an electric bike) and the turns are fine at that speed.