Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - 1st century coming up

Really have to stop procrastinating and get some miles in. Signed up for the 100mi MARR ride on Aug 1. Commute daily 8.5mi. Longest ride last year was a metric. Longest rides this year are 2 for 36mi. This seems to be my limit for saddle comfort without breaking (unless you count road crossings on the MUP). Also joined the local club and they have no drop mixer/beginner 25mi rides on Mondays, beginner groups on Thu and I might be barely fast enough for the Sunday ride.
Plan: 2, 36mi loop Fridays, 2 Metric Saturdays. 2 mixer rides on Mon. Maybe some 36mi loops on other days.
Camelbak a good idea for the century?

Is the century supported? If so you may not need the camelbak, if you want to try and save some weight. Nothing like a deadline to get some riders to start planning;)

I'm not a fan of the Camelback just because it's hot and makes me sweat. For supported rides, heck, even for unsupported brevets where I've got to buy my water at the 7-11, I bring 2 large bottles. At most on a really hot day I'll put the remainder of a purchased refill in my jersey pocket, but usually it's just my 2x 24oz bottles.

The standard plan would be to slowly train up to about a weekly long ride of about 50-60 miles a week or two prior, and increase your weekly long ride by 5-10% a week. Sounds late for that.

Watch out for overuse injuries if you start riding way more than usual. The big thing is to back off the last 5 or 6 days, stairstep down, like: 25-20-15-10-off-ride. It will leave your legs fresh for the ride. That's worth more than whatever small gain in fitness you could get in a week.

The saddle comfort issue is a tough one. Try standing up periodically, and shifting positions in the saddle. The Camelback can get a bit hot, in the summer. But, it's much better than not having enough to drink. Eating a bit every hour or so will help a lot with your energy, too; eat a little even if you don't feel hungry. Good luck, and have fun.

Camelbak a good idea for the century?

Depends on the route. I've yet to participate in a supported century where the rest stops didn't run out of the beverage I wanted to drink most. If I know I can stop along the route and buy the beverage of my choice, I won't bother with the Camelbak. If rest stops along the route are the only source of supply, I'll either carry everything I think I'll need or I'll stay home...

The big thing is to back off the last 5 or 6 days, stairstep down, like: 25-20-15-10-off-ride. It will leave your legs fresh for the ride. That's worth more than whatever small gain in fitness you could get in a week.

Actually, I think the normal recommendation is to continue training as normal until a day or two before your long-distance event. This page (http://www.kanbike.org/pages/training.php) has a pretty typical example of a 10-week training program. Notice that there's a short (5-mile) ride the day before the century and the ride two days before the event is half-length.

For myself, I know that if I don't ride for a day my legs will feel very heavy the next time I'm on the bike. When I plan for long (60+ mile) rides, I always schedule a 15-30 mile ride at an easy pace for the day before the long-distance ride. For me, it's essential to get the muscles moving, loosen everything up, and make sure that both my body and bike are working well. This is especially true if the ride is going to require significantly more effort (e.g. distance, hills) than my normal weekend training rides.

Actually, I think the normal recommendation is to continue training as normal until a day or two before your long-distance event. This page (http://www.kanbike.org/pages/training.php) has a pretty typical example of a 10-week training program. Notice that there's a short (5-mile) ride the day before the century and the ride two days before the event is half-length...

20, 30, off, 10, 5 vs. 25-20-15-10-off. I can't see a material difference. The strategy is to go in fresh, either way.

20, 30, off, 10, 5 vs. 25-20-15-10-off. I can't see a material difference. The strategy is to go in fresh, either way.

You should look at the training week as a whole: in the plan I linked, you ride 194 miles in total during the week before the century. And the training for the week of the century is the same as the previous week... up until two days before the event. In short, there is very little tapering in this well-respected plan.

I, personally, think that your suggestion involves too much of a taper, especially for an athlete who may not have a significant number of miles under his belt to begin with...

You should look at the training week as a whole: in the plan I linked, you ride 194 miles in total during the week before the century. And the training for the week of the century is the same as the previous week... up until two days before the event. In short, there is very little tapering in this well-respected plan.

I, personally, think that your suggestion involves too much of a taper, especially for an athlete who may not have a significant number of miles under his belt to begin with...

How is my 25 miles in the last 3 days 'too much tapering', vs. the plan's 15? My 70 miles in 5 days vs the plan's 65, also 'too much taper'? I'm asking for more miles!

There is no material difference. A few miles training plus or minus in a day is not going to affect the outcome.

Mad Anthony River Rally sponsored by TAB Toledo Are Bicyclists. Great group of people, but I didn't really make any connections since I'm 90% introvert, maybe on one of the mixer or beginner rides will introduce myself. Got it done but was VERY bad before the ride and came in near to last.
Dist 103.3mi Ride time 7:12 Total Time: 8:45 Avg Speed 14.3mph Avg cadence 65rpm Total elevation 1713ft.

Pre Ride: Maybe I should see someone about my procrastination issues :o 2 Weeks ago did 37mi rides on Sun and Tue. Bought a new car 1.5wks ago and haven't ridden at all since then. Even stopped commuting daily after living 2 years car free. Need to check the bike out sooner than 2 hours before registration as well. The gooseneck/riser thing had some play in it. Its a good thing I told a lot of people I was doing the ride because I was making a bunch of excuses to bail and I can't lie about it if they ask.

Ride: stock Schwinn Super Sport DBX. Nashbar padded bib, gym shorts, bike jersey, tennis shoes. Knees are shot, level changes are going to be slow the next couple days. When it was feeling warm down there, stood up for a bit to cool down and dry out. No powders or creams needed. Usual stuff with 2nd wind, sore this and that. After mile 70 it was all a mind game - I've gone this far and am practically done. Breakfast was fun with flying flapjacks, sausage links, fresh fruit. Lunch was pizza, hot dog, fresh fruit.
Sure was a lot of "Are you OK?" but the buzzards didn't get me. The route was incredibly well marked and I probably could have done it without a cue sheet. I did miss a turn in the last 10 miles because I was paying too much attention on the rollers and my gearing. Added a couple extra miles to the ride.

Post ride: Like I said, knees are shot. Previous personal best was 64mi last year and I feel much better after this ride than that one. A lot of advice is give for noobs to drink and eat frequently. I could have drank more earlier but managed to avoid bonking. One other piece of advice: don't forget to breathe.

SO
I know a few souls here really crank out the miles with double centuries and brevets but what are typical after effects of doing a century? A century a month seems to be a new standard but is that because of physical issues or time limitations?

Congratulations!

For me, typical after-effects are cramping problems if I did a lot of sweating, otherwise, just tired.

Some people mentioned the camelback and drawbacks. I've read of putting ice in one as one way to help keep you cool. Also, if you need your favorite drink, consider taking powdered drink mix and mixing as you go.

Actually a prety decent time. There is a huge ride out here that attracts 10,000 riders. With a time like that, you'd be 50% maybe!:thumb:

I like to read the "got out there and did it threads". Much more interesting than those, eat 20% this, add that, heartrate this, heartrate that, drink this magic potion #9!:roflmao2:...JUST DO IT MAN!!

Most of the ride I had no idea where I was and just kept following the signs to get back. Would have bailed if it was something I was doing on my own instead of being an organized ride. A few people wore camelbaks but 2 water bottles combined with food and water waypoints were good enough. I do have to say that riding country roads>MUPS*1,000,000.

Today I'm feeling pretty darn awesome except the knees and a little sunburn on the neck. Slept better/longer than I have in a long time too.

As far as hydration goes, when it's a longer unsupported ride, I have one of these:

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1024983_-1___

That way I can carry 4 bottles with me.

Lot of stretching, some cold packs and a good nights rest and the knees are 95% back to normal. Super excited to do it again :thumb:
Gonna start doing group rides in the mean time.