Fifty Plus (50+) - Your Solo Century Ride

I started riding my road bike on July 5th 2008. The first week I rode 13, 9, 13, and 24 miles. The second week I rode 24,16, 33, and 47 miles. The third week I rode 27, 16, 21, and 62 miles. The fourth week I rode 21, 22, 27, and 101.6 miles on August 2nd 2008 and I was 55 years old. Which brings me to my point. The Century ride was made on the Beautiful Trail of the Coeur d' Alenes that crosses 72 miles of the North Idaho Panhandle you can look it up it is a great ride. The ride was solo, unsupported and no drafting. I completed the ride in 6 hour 52 minutes of ride time. I took a couple of short rests to ease the pain in my rear. This was completely enjoyable and I made all the rules to suit myself:D. I have heard where some on this forum have gone on organized and supported rides and have been very disappointed. Why not do a solo century that you have only yourself to blaim if you do not have fun. I would like to hear about your solo century!

Nice ride.

I started riding my road bike on July 5th 2009. The first week I rode 13, 9, 13, and 24 miles. The second week I rode 24,16, 33, and 47 miles. The third week I rode 27, 16, 21, and 62 miles. The fourth week I rode 21, 22, 27, and 101.6 miles on August 2nd 2009 and I was 55 years old. Which brings me to my point. The Century ride was made on the Beautiful Trail of the Coeur d' Alenes that crosses 72 miles of the North Idaho Panhandle you can look it up it is a great ride. The ride was solo, unsupported and no drafting. I completed the ride in 6 hour 52 minutes of ride time. I took a couple of short rests to ease the pain in my rear. This was completely enjoyable and I made all the rules to suit myself:D. I have heard where some on this forum have gone on organized and supported rides and have been very disappointed. Why not do a solo century that you have only yourself to blaim if you do not have fun. I would like to hear about your solo century!

I've only done one century and it too was solo. It was way back in Oct 2007. I was on a recumbent and didn't have to get off to relieve any pains in my butt. I agree that it's a very pleasant experience.

Now about your ride history, did I fall asleep for 20 yrs. again or something?

I did get the date wrong thats where age 56 comes in! Got a heads up on it from 10 wheels and its been corrected!

I did get the date wrong thats where age 56 come in! Got a heads up on it from 10 wheels and its been corrected!

Whew, I was getting worried for a minute there. Don't wanna duck out of the house for no 20 year nap, it might tend to upset the bride a bit...if ya know what I mean. :D

Done hundreds of century length rides, but never one solo. Wonder what that's like?

I've done hundreds of centuries too, the first back in 1978. Most have been with at least one other person, but I've ridden several alone too. In fact, I used to pre-ride proposed century routes for my bike club when I lived in MO.

There is a very tranquil self-sufficiency about a lone century, and while they are fun, I kind of like riding with people too.

Odd story: Once I was riding a lone century and I was almost out of water, with no clue when or where I might be able to find more. A motorist in a VW Golf pulled up next to me and shouted, "Do you need water?" No idea where he came from . . .

So I said, "Yes, I'm almost out!"
He said. "Give me your bottles"
Very stupidly, I did.
He took both my bottles and drove off.
"Am I stupid or what?" I thought to myself.
I rode along wondering just how I could be that absolutely stupid to give my only two bottles to an absolute stranger. Sheesh, . . .
Then, a mile later, I saw this same gentleman, standing by his VW Golf, holding my bottles aloft.
"Here you go!" he shouted.
I grabbed the bottles, now heavy with ice water.
"Thanks!" I shouted, not feeling quite so stupid after all.
To this day, I have no idea who he was.

Rick / OCRR

I did my solo century on October 13, 2006. I set out at dawn (which was about 7:15 at that time of year in the mountains) and did a 114 mile out-n-back from Quincy, Plumas County, CA to Hallelujah Junction on Highway 395 above Reno NV. Thanks to a tail wind coming back, I averaged 15.5 mph.

I'd like to ride that trail. Are there any places to camp along the way?
thanks

I'd like to ride that trail. Are there any places to camp along the way?
thanks

You can camp along the trail anywhere you can find to rough camp. There is a nice campground about 1/16 of mile pass the Cataldo trailhead about 28 miles down the trail from the Mullan trailhead which I would assum you would start if you where coming from Missoula Mt. Mullan is about 6 miles from the Idaho Montana border just off I-90, good place to start your ride. You can google the Trail of the Coeur d' Alenes and the friends of the trail of Coeur d' Alenes have a nice Website with more info!

Thank You. I plan on riding that trail as soon as I can get there. I've been on the Hiawatha Trail which is a can't miss for anyone who has a bike.

I've done many solo centuries and 200+k Permanents. I find it quite enjoyable, never minded being by myself or being self-supported.

I've done several solo rides over 100 miles but didn't think of them as doing a century. We have a family cabin in Western PA that I ride to while my wife comes later in the car. It's 130 miles by bike. I've also rode to my parents home several times with a distance of 110 miles, again my wife rode over in the car. I don't do anything special for food or drink since there are gas stations and mini-marts along the way but I do try to keep from riding too hard so I'm not beat up upon arrival.

I've done a lot of organized centuries, a good handful of solo centuries, one 115 mile day fully loaded while on tour with two companions while on the TransAmerica, and most recently a 142 mile day again fully loaded and on tour, but alone this time. The fully loaded solo 142 mile day was the last day of my Santa Fe Road tour. It was a beautiful ride within sight of the Sangre De Cristo mountains of New Mexico and it involved a good bit of gradual climbing. The scenery was beautiful, there were oodles of antelope, and it was overall just a great day.

I'd say to go check out my journals, but the crazy guy site is down today.

I've done many organized centuries and many solo rides between 60 and 80 miles, but never a solo century. I would like to do a solo century. Not because of any shortcomings of the organized centuries I've done, but just for the challenge and experience of doing something new.

I've done a few solo centuries, but most of mine are either organized or semi-organized. The semi-organized ones are like the one I did today: they're club rides where a 'ride leader' hands us a cue sheet and off we go. The group supports itself and we're on our own for rest stops and food. The routes are planned to go through towns, so there's usually places to stop at somewhat irregular intervals. I like the format because I'm not paying $25 or more in registration, and I just buy whatever food and drink I want along the way. Plus, I get to ride with a bunch of friends. Today's ride was an even 100 miles, and had lunch at mile 47 with breaks at mile 28, 65, and 82.

: they're club rides where a 'ride leader' hands us a cue sheet and off we go. The group supports itself and we're on our own for rest stops and food. .

Not the self supporting bit as I do that all the time but those rides with cue sheets are murder for me. I wear reading glasses and can't wear them when riding- so rely on others to get the route right. Some of the Cue sheet rides and I have done a lot of backtracking and extra miles to what I should have done.

I now enter the organised rides on my own and although there are other people about- I do the ride solo. That way I do not have to keep up to others pace- or down to it- and I don't get sidetracked into the leader putting on extra miles by getting lost.

But locally- If I feel like a good ride- I just get on the bike and go. I know the local area for about 40 miles radius- except South and I haven't been there except on the ferry to France. I know the relationship between towns- where the hilly hits are and where I can get a good breakfast. Time limits me so I go out for 4 hours or so and it is surprising how many- or how few- miles you can get in during that time.

Ah yes, I need those reading glasses too. I always appreciate having the cue sheet beforehand in excel format so that I can print it myself, big and bold !

Not the self supporting bit as I do that all the time but those rides with cue sheets are murder for me. I wear reading glasses and can't wear them when riding- so rely on others to get the route right.
I spent a ridiculous amount on a pair or Rudy Project Horus glasses with Transitions lenses and my bi-focal prescription. I had the reading prescription set real low on the lense so I have to look way down to use it, that way it is out of the way. It works great for seeing maps or the cyclocomputer on the bike and my wrist GPS when running. I have to tilt my head back to read a menu or whatever, but on bike tours I usually change glasses for lunch stops if going to a restaurant.

Despite the high price they were well worth it. It is so nice being able to read maps, cue sheets, and the cyclocomputer clearly.

I did a solo ride of 97 miles last summer. I choose to call it a century...loved it and after a shower felt good enough to go out to dinner and then fish for 8 hours the next day. Company is nice but there is something soothing about riding alone.

Most of my century rides are done solo. I ride solo most of the time, work five week days and teach all day Saturday. So, during the spring, summer and fall I get short 15 to 25 mile rides in after work, and longer rides every Sunday. Many of the longer Sunday rides end up being century rides. Most are not planned. It's just that when I finally get home, I've ridden 100+ miles on that day. The lack of structure to these rides has been a great release from the demands of work and a therapy of sorts.

Organized ride plus factors:
Route usually carefully chosen, often showing me a new place.
Lots of other riders, makes is more likely cars will see me and maybe not hit me.
Fun to ride with others, chat, smile, encourage.
Support on route for major mechanical problems. Nice if you are out of cell range.
Rest stops with food and rest rooms, often in out of the way spots.
Drafting.
Get to drool over other bikes. There's always something to see.
I'm a sucker for jerseys and tee shirts.

Solo century ride plus factors:
No schedule
Don't have to ride with really bad riders.
Pick your own route.
Zen experience.
Flexible (I think I'll climb that hill after all.)
No extra cost for reg or jersey

M21 -

Good on ya! An awful lot of folks would never even CONSIDER doing 100+ miles solo. For most around here, they only way they'd do that kind of distance at all is on some kind of event ride.

Personally, solo centuries are some of my favorite rides. Love the solitude (and hate the crowds on event rides), love being on the bike all day, and being in charge of my own destiny, at least for a while. Here's to long solo rides!

SP
Bend, OR

I did several solo centuries in my 20's, including a couple while touring on a fully loaded bike (if you're touring all day, you don't have anything to do but ride...).

I haven't done one as a 50+, but it's one of my new goals. I also am considering (but not committed to) a solo double-century -- one of the most popular rides in this area is the annual Seattle-to-Portland (STP) ride. I have never done it, but it seems like a semi-dangerous zoo (thousands of riders, crowded support stops, etc.). It's an easy route, with plenty of services along the way -- I like the idea of just riding my bike to Portland, crashing in a hotel, and then riding Amtrak home the next day.

Odd story: Once I was riding a lone century and I was almost out of water, with no clue when or where I might be able to find more. A motorist in a VW Golf pulled up next to me and shouted, "Do you need water?" No idea where he came from . . .

So I said, "Yes, I'm almost out!"
He said. "Give me your bottles"
Very stupidly, I did.
He took both my bottles and drove off.
"Am I stupid or what?" I thought to myself.
I rode along wondering just how I could be that absolutely stupid to give my only two bottles to an absolute stranger. Sheesh, . . .
Then, a mile later, I saw this same gentleman, standing by his VW Golf, holding my bottles aloft.
"Here you go!" he shouted.
I grabbed the bottles, now heavy with ice water.
"Thanks!" I shouted, not feeling quite so stupid after all.
To this day, I have no idea who he was.

Rick / OCRR


Great story! :thumb:

I've done several solo rides over 100 miles but didn't think of them as doing a century. We have a family cabin in Western PA that I ride to while my wife comes later in the car. It's 130 miles by bike. I've also rode to my parents home several times with a distance of 110 miles, again my wife rode over in the car. I don't do anything special for food or drink since there are gas stations and mini-marts along the way but I do try to keep from riding too hard so I'm not beat up upon arrival.

Same here - although our getaway is in the Adirondacks and it's a 75 mile ride, wife drives - I pedal.
The route I take is truely breathtaking. About 1/2 of it follows the Hudson river where it is mostly rapids and flows through the mountains. The other 1/2 is through farmland and forests.

I have never done a 100 mile solo ride, I really can't see why I would want to. However I do several organized century rides/year.

Same here - although our getaway is in the Adirondacks and it's a 75 mile ride, wife drives - I pedal.
The route I take is truely breathtaking. About 1/2 of it follows the Hudson river where it is mostly rapids and flows through the mountains. The other 1/2 is through farmland and forests.

I have never done a 100 mile solo ride, I really can't see why I would want to. However I do several organized century rides/year.

I was looking online to find a local bike shop with Adirondacks but only came up with Glen Falls NY. No bike club, but just South Glen Falls and its Serrota. What's your route on this 75 mile ride? If I'm visiting, where to stay.

Have done several solo centuries, double metrics and a couple double centuries.
Those are great training rides and make it oh so much easier when you later do group century rides.

I've gone on 100 mile training rides by myself (prepping for Pan-Mass Challenge's 110 mile first day), and just to go for a ride. Sometimes I have "get lost days", sometimes I have definate routes in mind. My first planned century turned out to only be 90 miles, but it hooked me. http://www.dpbsmith.com/amm/?part1

I am glad to hear that you had a good experience. I have done solo centuries and organized centuries. The nice thing about a solo century is that if I have complaints about the timing, the route, the support, the food, I know whom to blame.

The best thing about the solo century is that it is just me and the bike. Someone else mentioned the "zen like" experience, which I guess sums it up as well as any.

Great story! :thumb:

Thanks Bengeboy,

Throughout my 40+ years of cycling I've had a few strange things happen, and when I write the book of my cycling adventures (and mis-adventures), that story will be in there!

Rick / OCRR

I do lots of solo century rides, I've done one each month of this year. I'm almost getting to prefer a solo century, unless a partner is known to be pace compatible. I have 6 solo centuries this year, and last year I had 8.