Road Cycling - Settle this Bet!

I am riding in a two day ride this weekend. 50+ miles each day. The others on the ride are telling people that this will be their first "century" ride. I don't think it counts as a century unless it is the same day. Who is right?? Thanks.

I doesn't. Do it all in one day.

Same day, at least. I'd consider a century to be one effort with a "reasonable" amount of breaks in between. I suppose everyone would define "reasonable" in a different way!

Maybe they are thinking if they can do the miles in 24hrs. That would be one day.

Same day, at least. I'd consider a century to be one effort with a "reasonable" amount of breaks in between. I suppose everyone would define "reasonable" in a different way!

See, that's what I think too. What these guys are thinking is that this is a two day ride and the ride will be 100+ miles, so it qualifies as a "century". It won't even all be completed in 24 hrs. from what I understand. I told them I would put it out on the Bike Forums and let the majority decide.

Sheldon Brown's Glossary says:


Century
100 miles (161km). A "metric century" is 100 km (62 miles.)

Not too helpful.

I would feel that a Century needs to be done in a day, generally a continuous effort (no matter how slow or fast you go) with reasonable breaks. Even if you average 10 mph and do it in 12 hours, it would be a Century. However, IMHO, starting at 4:00 pm, riding to 7:00 pm, then sleeping all night, then the next day going from 7:00 am to 12:00 am, would not count.

I would feel that a Century needs to be done in a day, generally a continuous effort (no matter how slow or fast you go) with reasonable breaks. Even if you average 10 mph and do it in 12 hours, it would be a Century. However, IMHO, starting at 4:00 pm, riding to 7:00 pm, then sleeping all night, then the next day going from 7:00 am to 12:00 am, would not count.
My thinking is the same... a continuous effort counts as a century. If you spread it over two days you've just ridden two half centuries, no matter whether it was completed within 24 hours or not.

One calendar day and 100 miles constitutes a century ride.
However, two half centuries in a row is good training for the real thing!
Go for it!

There is no way *I* would consider that a century....but a century is sort of an arbitrary milestone anyway. If they want to believe they did a century...good for them. I wouldn't try to discourage them, because it sounds like 2 50+ mile consecutive days is a big deal for them.

You do win the bet though.

if you can take a nap and a shower in the middle of the 100 miles, it ain't a century.

But it's still awesome!

I am riding in a two day ride this weekend. 50+ miles each day. The others on the ride are telling people that this will be their first "century" ride.

I'm assuming these people have 100 miles under their belt, so how could this be their first century? It may be the first time they've ridden a hundred miles in two days, but I doubt it's their first hundred miles :rolleyes:

I agree with the others, a century needs to be in one day.

-murray

I agree with the above. And then some. Not only does the ride have to be in one day, I'd argue that the sum total of breaks shouldn't be very high either - maybe an hour total at most. It's a personal opinion, so no flames please, but I tend to think that taking an hour break every 25 miles doesn't equal a century "ride" either. Two 10-15 minute breaks to re-fill bottles and pee is fine. But, like I said ... just my opinion.

Why do you care? While I agree with you, there's no Guiness entry involved so everybody gets to kind of make up their own rules. You get to decide what they have to do in order to impress you with their accomplishment and they get to decide what it takes to satisfy themselves. Live and let live, baby!

I would feel that a Century needs to be done in a day, generally a continuous effort (no matter how slow or fast you go) with reasonable breaks. Even if you average 10 mph and do it in 12 hours, it would be a Century. However, IMHO, starting at 4:00 pm, riding to 7:00 pm, then sleeping all night, then the next day going from 7:00 am to 12:00 am, would not count.


I agree, 1 day ride, a few short breaks to refuel.

Thanks everyone! Looks like the "all in one day" vote is clearly ahead.
Grouch - The reason that I care is, we all want to be using the same terminology when talking about cycling.

We especially should protect the integrity of the "century". This is and should remain to be a special milestone for the roadie community.


Olds

One way to define a century is to apply the time limits from randonneuring, either brevets (15kph) or "populaires" (10kph). That would allow between 10.45 and 16 hours to complete the ride.

/Csson

I'm with everyone else. A century is done in one day. Even if you start in the afternoon and do 50 miles, sleep and do the next 50 the next day, it's not a century. It's two 50 mile rides, just close together.

It's still great- two 50 mile rides is a great achievement, though. That's something to write home about!

Koffee

G'day,

I'm with most others here. If pressed for an opinion I would go with the Audax model which requires any distance to be completed at 15kph or better, (including all rest breaks) form the start time to the finish time. Do that & it's a century,

cheers,

Hitchy

One calender day + one hundred miles = A century ride

I feel like I've cheated if I stop for more than 5 minutes. A nights rest in between though? No way is that considered a century.

I think I win the bet!

If you can count a century as 50 miles per day over two days, then you count a century as 25 miles per day over four days, or 10 miles per day over ten days, etc., etc., etc. If you want to be ridiculous, you can ride a mile a day over three and a half months.

I realize the OP's question has long been answered, but I wanted to chime in on this whole philosophical question regaring breaks. When I found out my 50-mile group rides would include a luxurious convenience-store break at the 25 mile mark, I kinda questioned whether I was really doing a 50-mile ride, or rather two 25 mile rides. The purist in me wants to think a true 50-mile ride should occur without putting a foot down (or at least only at stop signs/lights). Ditto for century. Maybe a happy compromise should be defined in terms of how cooled off you are. If you cooled off, you severed the ride. If you're still sweating from the ride, you maintained the continuity.

century or no century, back to back 50+mi rides on consecutive days makes for some solid riding.

sd

So, if I ride 20 miles a day for 5 days, I will have a century under my belt. No.
A century is a magical number for a cyclist. You will always remember your first, most remember all. Afterwards, you will have that feeling of accomplishment that you won't get on the second 50 mile day.
Okay, wait...what if I do 10 days at 10 miles each...

Completing the ride will be quite an accomplishment for the group. We will be quite proud of ourselves. I just want them to call the ride what it is, a two day 100 miler. I win the bet! :roflmao: I win! I win! I win! I win! Not that I'm going to rub it in or anything. ;)

If you can ride 12 extra miles one of those two days (total of 62), you will have completed a "metric century," and everyone can brag that they have finished a century.

Hey! Now that's a good idea. I'll bring that up tonight with the organizer calls me. I told him that I could supply bikes for four of the teens that don't have their own bikes to ride.

The purist in me wants to think a true 50-mile ride should occur without putting a foot down (or at least only at stop signs/lights). Ditto for century. Maybe a happy compromise should be defined in terms of how cooled off you are. If you cooled off, you severed the ride. If you're still sweating from the ride, you maintained the continuity.

I disagree. Are you going to tell Ironman competitors that they really didn’t do an Ironman because they took some breaks along the way?!?

A buddy of mine does ultra marathons (100 mile runs). Are you going to tell him they’re not even marathons if he takes more than 4 breaks?

Do you count a century if you’re in a pack? It’s certainly easier if you’re sharing the wind!

A 50 mile (one day) ride is still a 50 mile ride regardless of stops. It’s just a matter of bragging rights or pride if you do it non stop.

-murray

A buddy of mine does ultra marathons (100 mile runs).
-murray

That is just plain sick. :eek:

That is just plain sick. :eek:

Not only that, they are frequently in the mountains. IIRC the Leadville 100 starts at 10,000 feet and goes UP over passes :eek:

We have another friend who's on the women's national ultra team. She's one of the top ultra runners in the country. Another friend does adventure racing similar in length to the Eco Challange. Several of our friends have done Ironman races as well. I feel left out when I don't do the American Birkebeiner.

It's pretty much impossible to impress anyone here with a century ride or cross state tour :rolleyes:

-murray

It's pretty much impossible to impress anyone here with a century ride or cross state tour

Where is "here?"

My 50 milers are 25 to the top of the dam,take 5 minutes and start back only stopping to pee. Is that ok or did we stop to long? I need to know the roadie rules on this.

Where is "here?"

Madison, WI. The road biking here is hard to beat :D

-murray

Madison, WI. The road biking here is hard to beat :D

-murray

Okay - duh! "Mad Town" = Madison. I get it now. Just a bit slow this am.

My sis just came back from a visit to Madison, really liked it.

My 50 milers are 25 to the top of the dam,take 5 minutes and start back only stopping to pee. Is that ok or did we stop to long? I need to know the roadie rules on this.

That counts as a 50 miler, IMO. I used to ride 25 up to our local dam, pee, swim for a few minutes, quick snack, and come back. I still consider those 50 mile rides.

I think the idea of a century is that you can stay on your bike for 100 miles without stopping, except for short quick hydration/nutrition/pee breaks. These breaks are not meant for recovery time.

Well this turned out to be quite the adventure. First the guy who measured out the distance was off by 15 miles as we only rode 35 each day. I wanted to get in some extra miles but for various reasons that didn't work out. Last night we camped at a campground by the river. The campfire was very close to the 15 foot drop into the river but seemed safe enough when it was still light. About midnight I was tending to the fire, forgot about the cliff, took the wrong step and down I went. It was fast! I was in the water, over my head without having time to even call out for help. Luckily, I grabbed a tree root and pulled my way to the surface. Then I used other tree roots to climb half way up the muddy, vertical bank. At that point a hand from above appeared and I was able to pull myself to safety. The only injury is a sore shoulder and a scrape down the inside of my lower leg. Whew! The whole thing was pretty scary. I quickly got into some dry clothes and then into the tent and sleeping bag. Got up in the morning and rode.
BTW - The riding was awesome! Not sure what the moral is but I'm just REAL glad to be typing this!!!

We should have a new classification for 100 miles without stopping at all. Yeah, you would need a support car to do it, but I think it's something worthwhile to work towards.

That counts as a 50 miler, IMO. I used to ride 25 up to our local dam, pee, swim for a few minutes, quick snack, and come back. I still consider those 50 mile rides.
y'all need to stop peeing in the dam... makes the water all funky.


Well this turned out to be quite the adventure. First the guy who measured out the distance was off by 15 miles as we only rode 35 each day. I wanted to get in some extra miles but for various reasons that didn't work out. Last night we camped at a campground by the river. The campfire was very close to the 15 foot drop into the river but seemed safe enough when it was still light. About midnight I was tending to the fire, forgot about the cliff, took the wrong step and down I went. It was fast! I was in the water, over my head without having time to even call out for help. Luckily, I grabbed a tree root and pulled my way to the surface. Then I used other tree roots to climb half way up the muddy, vertical bank. At that point a hand from above appeared and I was able to pull myself to safety. The only injury is a sore shoulder and a scrape down the inside of my lower leg. Whew! The whole thing was pretty scary. I quickly got into some dry clothes and then into the tent and sleeping bag. Got up in the morning and rode.
BTW - The riding was awesome! Not sure what the moral is but I'm just REAL glad to be typing this!!!
Good god that's messed up!

A. the guy who planed it needs a boot upside the head. I'm sure he's a good guy, but to be 15 miles off on a supposed 50 mile ride, well, let's just say he could work for NASA and slam another probe into Mars.
2. Glad you're not hurt worse, but I'm soooo confused (probably concussions)... why was your campsite *that* close to the "cliff"? Why'd the rangers allow a campsite to be in that spot anyway?
#. How come you didn't get extra miles in? Sounds like 35 isn't quite enough for someone like you.
|). Did ya ever tell the group that 2-days of 50 ain't 100?

A. the guy who planed it needs a boot upside the head. I'm sure he's a good guy, but to be 15 miles off on a supposed 50 mile ride, well, let's just say he could work for NASA and slam another probe into Mars.
2. Glad you're not hurt worse, but I'm soooo confused (probably concussions)... why was your campsite *that* close to the "cliff"? Why'd the rangers allow a campsite to be in that spot anyway?
#. How come you didn't get extra miles in? Sounds like 35 isn't quite enough for someone like you.
|). Did ya ever tell the group that 2-days of 50 ain't 100?

You are cracking me up!
By Friday morning the make up of the group had changed dramatically. There was supposed to be 20 riders and they asked me to bring one extra bike. We ended up with a group of seven of us and I supplied FIVE of the bikes. The group was very inexperienced. It was better than not riding though. And a couple of them acted like they may continue to ride.

A. Found out (the hard way) that the organizer isn't very organized. Biking is not his thing so he was unaware that being close the right number of miles was important.
2. Private campsite, so no Rangers. They built the fire where the fire ring was. Yep, pretty stupid.
#. So many reasons, By the time we pitched camp, it was getting dark. In the morning, if I would have ridden extra there would have been people waiting on me. This just wasn't a real biking group.
|). Yeah, this is funny. After I told them, they were like, "Oh, good. At least we didn't get close and blow it."

Its most likly me but that doesnt seem fun at all.

Its most likly me but that doesnt seem fun at all.
Are you refering to Kerk's adventure?

I friggin' LOVE trips like that. You never remember the ones where everything goes "fine" and the trip was "nice". I'm really glad he didn't get hurt worse tho sliding into the river in the middle of the night, but it was a good story.

As for 100 miles over two days = century... I think Andrew Dice Clay summed it up best when he said, "my g/f told me to give her 12 INCHES and MAKE IT HURT! So I ****ed her twice and hit her in the head with a brick." :D

If I do 100 miles over 3 days, is it considered a Century?


As for 100 miles over two days = century... I think Andrew Dice Clay summed it up best when he said, "my g/f told me to give her 12 INCHES and MAKE IT HURT! So I ****ed her twice and hit her in the head with a brick." :D

Holy crap that was funny!

Good Point. No one will be forgetting this trip for a while!

Thanks everyone! Looks like the "all in one day" vote is clearly ahead.
Grouch - The reason that I care is, we all want to be using the same terminology when talking about cycling.

Bologna! (Or words to that effect.) People use imprecise language to describe bicycling all of the time and nobody cares. My personal favorite is people who say "alloy" when they mean "aluminum." That's just plain wrong because they are using the term to differentiate from steel which is, by definition, an alloy. Aluminum parts are even listed in the catalogues that way. The point is, the "alloy" speakers aren't going to change and neither are your co-workers. Consequently you and I and the rest of the enlightened people of the bicycling world are simply going to have to live with it.

Oh you silly Grouch! When I said "we" I just meant my little biking group for this weekend. They are all on board now with the meaning of "century".

y'all need to stop peeing in the dam... makes the water all funky.

NICE! ...I was waiting for that... :)

NICE! ...I was waiting for that... :)
well, I can hit a softball pitch as well as anyone :D