My first century tomorrow
07-20-07, 12:45 PM
#1
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My first century tomorrow
I'm somewhere between this 
and this 
I feel I have enough mileage under my belt to successfully complete the century, it's just kind of scary attempting a new pr for distance. I've run a marathon so I know how to suffer
It's a non-supported club ride w/only three planned stops and an average pace between 14-16. The ride leader is a great friend and very experienced cyclist so I am really happy about doing "my first" with him at the helm.
I have been taking it real easy this week on the bike, not by design but mostly out of necessity due to my work schedule, so I should be very fresh. The weather is expected to be awesome, sunny and 70's with no humidity.
Tell me I'm not nuts to be doing this
and this I feel I have enough mileage under my belt to successfully complete the century, it's just kind of scary attempting a new pr for distance. I've run a marathon so I know how to suffer
It's a non-supported club ride w/only three planned stops and an average pace between 14-16. The ride leader is a great friend and very experienced cyclist so I am really happy about doing "my first" with him at the helm.
I have been taking it real easy this week on the bike, not by design but mostly out of necessity due to my work schedule, so I should be very fresh. The weather is expected to be awesome, sunny and 70's with no humidity.
Tell me I'm not nuts to be doing this
07-20-07, 12:48 PM
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You are not nuts. You'll do great. Have fun and do report back, with pics.
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07-20-07, 12:52 PM
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Have a great time! I'll be looking for the report. I learn a lot from them.
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07-20-07, 12:54 PM
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you're nuts. Just like the rest of us.
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07-20-07, 01:05 PM
#5
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I'd tell you you not nuts, but I'd be lyin.
Have fun, and if you get dropped, have fun any way.
Have fun, and if you get dropped, have fun any way.
07-20-07, 01:25 PM
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No worries, you'll be fine. Go ride and have fun. 
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
07-20-07, 01:30 PM
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There is nothing like it. Ride at your own pace. You will never forget your first century.
07-20-07, 01:44 PM
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I wish you the best of luck, since you have experience with a successful marathon I think you will do OK. I will be in a strangely similiar situation in two weeks. (Not to mention we both are over 50). It will be my first century also. Like yours it is a club ride which is not supported of which about 10-12 of us will be riding. We plan on stopping twice at about the 35 mile mark and again at about 70 miles. But there is usually a flat or minor mechanical which affords some additional rest. Fortunately it is a mostly flat ride, I'm guessing 1500-2000 feet of climbing which is not much for 100 miles. The past few years the group has been averaging about 17 mph for the trip due to the usual west to east tail wind we get around Long Island, NY. I've done a few 60-70 mile rides and will be doing 70 miles tomorrow morning. So I figure I should be OK.
07-20-07, 01:44 PM
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We have confidence in you.
Three stops??? I might finish a 25 miler with three stops.
Three stops??? I might finish a 25 miler with three stops.
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07-20-07, 01:48 PM
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I'm sure there are some here who have done it with no stops.
For me to finish a century would require a minimum of 12-14 stops, and I suspect it would be more than that.
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"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
07-20-07, 02:04 PM
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Good luck and Don't set the pace.
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07-20-07, 04:00 PM
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Good Luck, The first century is the one most remembered. It's great that you're on a club ride, a paceline will make the miles fly by.
Let us all hear about it tomorrow evening.
Let us all hear about it tomorrow evening.
07-20-07, 04:15 PM
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We expect a complete report. Know you will do great. Remember what DG says (my god, like anyone could remember all that), you know, the part about it being 50% physical and 90% mental....that is the more difficult part. It is also 100% satisfying and fun. Pics, too, if possible.
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07-20-07, 04:27 PM
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07-20-07, 05:45 PM
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You'll do great, I'm sure! Drink lots, eat lots, (and keep some Motrin in the bag- it does wonders for late ride leg cramps!) be sure to get a pic at the start, and of your computer screen at the finish, for the scrapbook/journal.
07-24-07, 02:18 PM
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There are two scheduled stops, about 30 minutes each. But there are a lot of stop lights, the usual one or two flats and "did we make the wrong turn" kind of stops. Of course if I get desperate I'll head to the back of the line and pretend I dropped a chain.
