Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Fixed Gear Century Ride?

I'd like to ride 100 miles on my FG bicycle. I have run several marathons (26.2 miles) and a couple of ultramarathons as well (50km). I haven't run that far though since October 2011.

Any advice as far as training? I'd like to do it this Fall if possible, but I can wait until next year if need be.

My longest rides right now are only about 15 miles max. I don't stop because I can't continue though. I just stop because I went where I needed/wanted to go, and back.

I'm familiar with hydration and nutrition and electrolytes - from my ultrarunning experience. I probably need to figure out how not to get chafed on a bike though. Do I need to do a couple 50's before embarking on a hundo? What's the best way to prepare? I don't want to set any speed records, just cover the distance in a reasonable amount of time.

Work your way up to it. Set a Saturday or something and aim for a 40 mile ride, and if you're feeling good, bump it to 50. Just work your way up to 100, there's no reason to rush into it.

As for the chafing, get some decent bike shorts or bibs and get some kind of chamois butter/cream; others here should have specific recommendations.

This thread is specifically aimed at fixed gear riding:http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/785252-Training-for-Your-First-Fixed-Gear-Century

Written by this guy:http://www.thebicyclestory.com/2011/11/paul-rozelles-24-hour-pre-pbp-fixed-gear-mont-ventoux-rides/

Work your way up to it. Set a Saturday or something and aim for a 40 mile ride, and if you're feeling good, bump it to 50. Just work your way up to 100, there's no reason to rush into it.

As for the chafing, get some decent bike shorts or bibs and get some kind of chamois butter/cream; others here should have specific recommendations.

Alright. Sounds like a good approach.
The trouble is finding someplace I can ride for long stretches without having to stop at lights etc. But I loathe the Lakefront trail too (at least when it's busy, and especially when it's windy - which is almost always seems to be).

This thread is specifically aimed at fixed gear riding:http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/785252-Training-for-Your-First-Fixed-Gear-Century

Written by this guy:http://www.thebicyclestory.com/2011/11/paul-rozelles-24-hour-pre-pbp-fixed-gear-mont-ventoux-rides/

Thank you!
(I totally didn't search the forums first :o BUSTED)

Riding a century is not like running a marathon. It is really closer to going on 15 mile hike. You should pack a lunch or plan where you are going to eat and bring some snacks in addition to lots of hydration. Don't plan to do it in 4 hours. Plan to do it in 8. Take some breaks. Really, if you can finish a marathon, all you need to do to finish a century is to keep the legs turning over. If anything I would guess that your biggest risk is going at it too hard on the way out.

The chafing thing is an argument for taking a few shorter rides first but you are relatively thin and used to working your legs. I've never had any problems with just using cycling shorts.

One other thing is that it is nice to have an escape plan in case you do need to bail, like riding somewhere where there is commuter rail back to your home or having an understanding wife who will pick you up if need be. Its good to have if only for that occasion when you run out of tire patches.

Alright. Sounds like a good approach.
The trouble is finding someplace I can ride for long stretches without having to stop at lights etc. But I loathe the Lakefront trail too (at least when it's busy, and especially when it's windy - which is almost always seems to be).

Dude, there are plenty of trails. The LFT is great south of downtown, so is sometimes worth dealing with the northside **** show. But beyond that, there's the North Channel Trail -> Green Bay Trail -> Robert McClory Path which gets you to Ft. Sheridan and can keep going all the way to Great Lakes Naval Station.

Or there's the North Branch Trail, which you can take up to the Botanic Gardens.

If you have a car or some other way to get to it, the Des Plaines River Trail is also really nice, you can take that all the way up to the Wisconsin border. We've also driven to/from a start point on the Illinois Prairie Path.

My friends and I do a century to Milwaukee every year, and it is like 90% on trails. There are lots of trails around Chicago.

Riding a century is not like running a marathon. It is really closer to going on 15 mile hike. You should pack a lunch or plan where you are going to eat and bring some snacks in addition to lots of hydration. Don't plan to do it in 4 hours. Plan to do it in 8. Take some breaks. Really, if you can finish a marathon, all you need to do to finish a century is to keep the legs turning over. If anything I would guess that your biggest risk is going at it too hard on the way out.


That's kinda what I was thinking but I didn't want to disrespect the distance. I think it would be cool to experience 100 miles on my bike. Actually I'd like to run 100 miles on foot but I don't have time to train for that.
So yeah, shouldn't be too difficult. I mean, it's far, but you do get to sit down most of the time. ;)

Dude, there are plenty of trails. The LFT is great south of downtown, so is sometimes worth dealing with the northside **** show. But beyond that, there's the North Channel Trail -> Green Bay Trail -> Robert McClory Path which gets you to Ft. Sheridan and can keep going all the way to Great Lakes Naval Station.

Or there's the North Branch Trail, which you can take up to the Botanic Gardens.

If you have a car or some other way to get to it, the Des Plaines River Trail is also really nice, you can take that all the way up to the Wisconsin border. We've also driven to/from a start point on the Illinois Prairie Path.

My friends and I do a century to Milwaukee every year, and it is like 90% on trails. There are lots of trails around Chicago.


I do have a car and a bike rack for it. The wife and I went up to the North Branch trail once a few years ago. We got there early and it was great. Sun coming up, nice and quiet, cruising along, came to a little meadow/clearing and there was a male deer standing so close to the trail you could count the velvet hairs on his rack. Just standing there all majestic, chewing stuff, lol.
But then as the hour grew later, hordes of people, strollers, rollerbladers, kids, and then about twenty or so Lance Armstrong wannabes who were doing 40+ mph around blind curves and totally drifting into the oncoming lanes and stuff. Got annoying pretty quick.

A century up to Milwaukee sounds awesome though.

None of the trails I listed come anywhere near the mess that is the LFT. I mean yes, you will encounter other humans, but it's not bad at all. Maybe work on not getting annoyed as easily? Then the world of Chicagoland trails would be your oyster. Or, don't train for a century. Those are your choices.

(I say this somewhat hypocritically, since I hate the huddled masses on the LFT so much that I choose to fight cars on city streets for my commute instead. But the suburban trails are fine, really.)

Right on. I don't mind a little "tough love". Actually that's what my wife tells me all the time - that I need to work on being less irritable haha.
So yeah, sorry for the whining.
And with the NB trail, I think it may be helpful if I went on a weekday instead of a weekend, although that's easier said than done if you have a "normal" M-F work schedule.

Kaz pretty much said the same thing I would've. North Branch Trail is my favorite. One of the best parts is that the trailhead is right by Superdawg. Mmm... Hot dogs.

you should absolutely do a bunch of mid-range rides ahead of time...your neck / shoulders / ass will appreciate the advance warning. also, use drop bars w/levers for maximum hand position options.

I did a fixed gear century in Door County 2 weeks ago. Put in lots of miles before -- 30 to 40 mile rides several times a week, preferably in terrain similar to that in which your century will be done. A couple longer rides, 60 to 80 miles, in the month before the century will give you a good idea of your preparation. Don't overdo it in the week before the century, but don't slack off, either. If it's an unsupported ride, make sure there are places where you can refill your water bottles and get a snack. Take a brief rest every 30 miles or so. Not too long or your legs will get stiff, at least my 57 year old ones do. Don't try to set a speed record; the goal is to finish. Enjoy.

thanks for the advice John - Appleton eh? I'm originally from Freedom. Born in Green Bay. Spent a lot of time in Appleton. thanks again!

Well I'm not sure if I calculated this correctly, but since my bike is 44/17 for 69.3 gear inches... I'm pretty sure that means I have to turn the cranks 91,429 times to cover 100 miles. When you say it like that it sounds WAY farther.