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I just did my first century!

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I just did my first century!

Old 10-13-13, 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Gnosis
Congratulations on your first century ride, Frosty Camel!

However, I'll add that riding a century ride just once doesn’t provide a heck of a lot in the way of bragging rights, as in essence it conveys that you deemed it so daunting that you decided against ever riding another century. See what I mean? Not much to brag about.

But it's definitely a gratifying personal achievement and that achievement becomes all the more significant when you find yourself riding numerous century rides per year without giving its difficulty a 2nd thought.

There are many on this forum who ride a dozen and even more than 2 dozen century rides every year, now THAT qualifies for some serious bragging rights, but oddly, their achievement far outweighs any need to brag about them, so instead they deem it gratifying that they’re capable of doing so at whatever their age.

So I’m not raining on your parade, but instead trying to get you to realize that century rides get easier the more you ride them and eventually you may find yourself riding much greater distances just as I have (i.e., a 200-mile ride in late August of this year). I only rode 8 hilly century rides in 2012 and that was the first year that I ever rode a century ride, so my point is, it doesn’t take all that long before you can progress to far greater distances, but it won’t happen unless you possess the desire to accomplish such distances and you can't accurately determine the scope of your limitations via a single successful century ride, as they do get easier each time (short of riding them in sweltering humidity, which is always more difficult).

I hope it doesn’t turn out to be your only century ride, in which case, I wish you much success in your future distant rides.
Well, 3 years ago this was my life: I used a riding lawn mower to go out to the street and check the mail because WALKING that distance was too exhausting. When I went to the store I would circle like a shark waiting for the absolute closest parking space I could find, and walking into the store had me panting. I could only shop using the electric cart. My body ran on cigarette smoke and beer. That was a short 3 years ago.

Then I bought a bike (and quit smoking). 3 years later I have the ability to ride A HUNDRED MILES!!! This parade can't possibly be rained on!

I had an itch, I scratched it, and it doesn't itch anymore. Only time will tell if I will ever get that itch again. I ride a bike for two reasons: 1) I'm in better shape than I've ever been in my life and 2) I LOVE the **** out of it!! 3 days ago I didn't think I could ever ride 100 miles, now I know I can! That's something that can never be taken away. So yes, I can and will brag. For the time being I'm perfectly content going back to my 20 to 50 miles rides with the occasional foray into 60 or 70 mile territory.

Last edited by Frosty Camel; 10-13-13 at 03:43 PM.
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Old 10-13-13, 04:37 PM
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Frosty, No doubt about it - great achievement! The thing is this: right after doing the 100 is when you just enjoy what you've done, even though you're mindful of the pain. In a while, you'll forget the pain but not the sense of triumph, and the 100 may start calling to you again.
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Old 10-13-13, 09:40 PM
  #28  
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Congrats on your century, quitting smoking and your improved health!

Originally Posted by Frosty Camel
Well, 3 years ago this was my life: I used a riding lawn mower to go out to the street and check the mail because WALKING that distance was too exhausting. When I went to the store I would circle like a shark waiting for the absolute closest parking space I could find, and walking into the store had me panting. I could only shop using the electric cart. My body ran on cigarette smoke and beer. That was a short 3 years ago.

Then I bought a bike (and quit smoking). 3 years later I have the ability to ride A HUNDRED MILES!!! This parade can't possibly be rained on!

I had an itch, I scratched it, and it doesn't itch anymore. Only time will tell if I will ever get that itch again. I ride a bike for two reasons: 1) I'm in better shape than I've ever been in my life and 2) I LOVE the **** out of it!! 3 days ago I didn't think I could ever ride 100 miles, now I know I can! That's something that can never be taken away. So yes, I can and will brag. For the time being I'm perfectly content going back to my 20 to 50 miles rides with the occasional foray into 60 or 70 mile territory.
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Old 10-14-13, 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Frosty Camel
I considered a century to be the "holy grail" of bicycling. Something that extra ordinary people could do but I was never going to see it. My last attempt at 100 miles was about 4 months ago and I completely ran out of steam at a little over 80. I went as far as I could and couldn't even stand when I stopped. Had to call for a ride.

Well today I did it!!! 104 miles!! I'm so proud I just had to share!

https://www.strava.com/activities/88449927

So now I have the bragging rights but I don't think I will ever attempt it again. The last 20 miles were not what could be considered fun by any definition, and the last 10 were absolute torture.

But I made it!!
You *HAVE* to do it again. Honest, they get easier.

I got a kick out of the Strava segment "da hill".

https://www.strava.com/segments/1365903

Not even close to someones driveway eh Trojan Horse?
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Old 10-14-13, 02:35 PM
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Originally Posted by IBOHUNT
You *HAVE* to do it again. Honest, they get easier.

I got a kick out of the Strava segment "da hill".

https://www.strava.com/segments/1365903

Not even close to someones driveway eh Trojan Horse?
My driveway blows... 150 or so feet in .4 miles (ok, driveway and up to the first point where I can no longer go up) Every time I leave my house I get that. At least if the numbers in strava are to be believed.
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Old 10-14-13, 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by TrojanHorse
My driveway blows... 150 or so feet in .4 miles (ok, driveway and up to the first point where I can no longer go up) Every time I leave my house I get that. At least if the numbers in strava are to be believed.
7.1%
Happy Happy Happy!
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Old 10-14-13, 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by IBOHUNT
7.1%
Happy Happy Happy!
That is not how you spell "blows"

I don't think it averages 7% so there's probably some rounding error in there, but if I keep heading up, there's another mile or so that averages 6-7% before the top.
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Old 10-14-13, 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Frosty Camel

So now I have the bragging rights but I don't think I will ever attempt it again.
Nonsense. I said the same thing when I did my first one and now I want to do one every weekend. Last Saturday I pulled the one in the link below. Planning for another one nov.2

https://www.strava.com/activities/88663163

Now rest and do it again!
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Last edited by lsberrios1; 10-14-13 at 03:01 PM.
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Old 10-14-13, 03:20 PM
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Old 10-14-13, 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Frosty Camel
3 years later I have the ability to ride A HUNDRED MILES!!! This parade can't possibly be rained on!
THAT'S the attitude! Congrats. You done good and should be proud of your efforts.

How far from a major city do you live. I'd bet you would enjoy an organized century of some sort. I've ridden two with local C/A friends and have thoroughly enjoyed the time. Yes, the last 20 miles suck, but misery loves company!
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Old 10-14-13, 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Frosty Camel
Well, 3 years ago this was my life: I used a riding lawn mower to go out to the street and check the mail because WALKING that distance was too exhausting. When I went to the store I would circle like a shark waiting for the absolute closest parking space I could find, and walking into the store had me panting. I could only shop using the electric cart. My body ran on cigarette smoke and beer. That was a short 3 years ago.

Then I bought a bike (and quit smoking). 3 years later I have the ability to ride A HUNDRED MILES!!! This parade can't possibly be rained on!

I had an itch, I scratched it, and it doesn't itch anymore. Only time will tell if I will ever get that itch again. I ride a bike for two reasons: 1) I'm in better shape than I've ever been in my life and 2) I LOVE the **** out of it!! 3 days ago I didn't think I could ever ride 100 miles, now I know I can! That's something that can never be taken away. So yes, I can and will brag. For the time being I'm perfectly content going back to my 20 to 50 miles rides with the occasional foray into 60 or 70 mile territory.
I'm with you. I've done a couple really long rides (100+) and yeah they were fun, and I'll probably do another if I'm going with some people I like, but I have pretty much no desire to go out and do one myself or do a bunch. I go out on the fast group rides usually 50-60 miles and go home tired and go do it again a bunch of times each week. Not everyone wants to sit on the bike for 7-8 hours riding a fairly constant pace, to me it's boring.
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