DMF 

The Wilson 100 (this year on Sunday 9/10) is run by the Southern Bicycle League (www.bikesbl.org) out of Fayetteville south of Atlanta - a gorgeous and extremely well-run event. Despite (or perhaps because of) being off the bike for 10 days while traveling, and despite incipient intestinal issues, I decided to do a century. Here is my Journal entry for it:

"My first century and my body has been ravaged. Felt strong for 60 miles. Between mi 5 and 30 fell in with a pace line that maintained about 19 mph and felt like I could have gone all day. (They did the 60 mi loop.) But hills, headwind, and hubris in miles 50-60 did a number on my legs. Thighs turned into bags of rope. Butt hurt (might be a case for chamois cream as there seems to be some abrasion) and shoulders cramped, but those were to be expected. Ate a plate of spaghetti the night before and again at 6:00 am, so nutrition was good until just before the rest stop at mi 90, when I started getting nauseous and faint. A relatively long rest, lots of water, and a power gel seemed to fix that, but the body was quite unhappy overall over the last 50 mi. HRM was finicky until I realized that the controls didn't work (heart rate registered, but cumulative wouldn't restart) while mounted on the bike (strange); took it off the bar and controls worked, then remounted on bar. So no overall measurements, but weight after a shower was 230 lb. (down 3-4). Should have timed the stages, too. Started at 8:15 am and ended 8:15 later - the last three maybe half the speed of the first three.

"Afterward wasn't hungry (there was pizza), then felt overwhelmingly sleepy and had trouble driving home. Could barely climb the stairs. Today (Monday) after 12 hrs of sleep I feel much better. Might do a spin class tonight to check in on legs. So far the only lasting damage is numbness in the outside end of my right ring finger. Bike needed chain lube twice and even after that there was a squeaky link for a while.

"Next time: bike tune-up, chamois cream, keep a log onroute, eat a power gel at every stop, set a pace (slower) and stick to it."

During the last third of the ride I hated the whole idea of a century and of riding two-wheel pain machines, but pain is quickly forgotten it seems. Now I'm planning on another century in three weeks. I'll let you know where to send flowers.

p8rider

Congrats!!
Having just done my first century in July I can only say that yours sounds very familiar. Keep it up it gets better!

DougG

Congratulations! I'm only halfway to trying a century (see my similar thread) and at this point am not sure if I will ever try for the full distance, but I certainly appreciate the effort of those who do -- especially at "our age".

jppe

Outstanding!! Good for you for fighting off those demons near the end of the ride!!

I suspect the "sick feelings" were do to lack of nutrition and or fluids. Drink fluids to a clock as opposed to when you feel thirsty-taking 3-4 swallows each time. These can be in 10-15 min intervals depending on the temps and humidity.

Eat before you're hungry. Even though you ate very well beforehand you can handle a lot of extra nutrition during the ride. Just find the types of food that are agreeable to your digestive system and pleasing to the taste.

You've now broken down the wall on getting to the 100 mile mark so now you know you can do it again when you want to and you're ready for it!!

BluesDawg

Congratulations. You're a century rider now. I wish I could have been there. The Wilson is a great ride.

TysonB

DMF,

Congrats! It IS fun isn't it. JPPE is right about the nutrition and hydration. Drink and eat before you need it. It will make for a nicer Century.

Congrats again.

Tyson

DMF 

I like the idea of drinking to a clock. Any hints as to the rate of consumption? Say half a bottle every 15 minutes? (I carry two.) Problem is that without my glasses I can't read a watch. But I'll think on it.

As for nutrition, I did eat during the ride - at least a banana every stop and two power bars after 1/3 distance. Also a bottle of PowerAde, but I don't like the taste. Was I not eating enough? I'm not sure of the nutrional content of bananas or how long nut-based bars take to digest.

BTW, legs felt better than expected at the spin class last night. Not a lot of stamina, but fair power. Think I'll do a 20 mi club ride tonight if the weather holds.

And thanks all for the encouragement.

DMF 

Here are the numbers on the route taken by 'blackbur' using full avionics:

"My Garmin recorded the following numbers on the 100.5 mile ride, 79.5 avg temp w/ a high of 84.2, wind steady ESE at 8.5 avg/ gusts to 10.5, 5,258 feet of climbing, 19.4 miles of ascent, 19.2 descent, and 60.6 flat. Average ascent grade of 2.1% and max grade of 10.7%. ... Sure felt that headwind between 70 and 90."

My cyclometer recorded another mile (101.5).

DMF 

Did my second century Saturday. Cool weather compared to the first, and I rode with a buddy - a bike commuter that does 12,000 mi a year and maintains a steady pace. There were fewer hills and the wind behaved on this route. I also ate much more during the ride. We did 101 miles in 6:30 (on the road) at 15.7 mph.

Lesson learned: avoid Powerade.

Think I'll do a hill-cursed metric in two weeks, once I get the triple installed. Am I crazy?

rck

Congrats on your first century! Also, on all those yet to come.

Mojo Slim

Yes. You are crazy. Congratulations.

DnvrFox

I always dilute any "ade" 50%. Perhaps that might help?

NOS88

Great journal entry. Now keep riding those centuries and in two years you'll look back on this entry and laugh!

Skipper

It seems there are getting to be more of us crazy types around here. Congratulations.

I figure that the folks who think I'm crazy are the same folks who have NO IDEA about the feeling of exhileration and the feeling of accomplishment I get from being a 'crazy' bicycle rider. I usually just smile and nod.