BikeArkansas

The century rides will start soon for the 2012 season. Do you have goals for your time in a particular century event? The time I am asking about is from the time you start until you finish, not ride time only.

LesterOfPuppets

Never done a group ride century. Best solo time is 7:15.

I bet I can beat that this year.

Did a group flat Metric long ago and got in under 2:30. Dunno if I could pull that off today.

northbend 

I am riding the Cascade 100 this year - an MTB race, 80 miles of which is on single track. Being primarily a recreational roadie, I have no idea how long this will take but it certainly will be an adventurous challenge.

big john

Never really think about time on a century ride, think more about how I'm feeling and how I'm doing with those around me.
I'm happy to finish century type rides in 7-9 hours, depending on hills, wind, etc.

big john

Sounds hard. How much climbing?

bigbadwullf

When I finish

northbend 

11500 according to the organizers

jethro56 

This summer.

DX-MAN

Start Sunday at about 8:15AM, finish about 7:55PM Friday, any week from Easter to Halloween.

At one time, in one uninterrupted ride, I won't do more than 40-50 anymore. Don't feel the need to 'experience' the century.

AzTallRider

Last one I did, a few weeks ago (season is early in AZ), ride time was 5:15 for 102 miles, but there was a lot of stopping due to the group I was with liking to do that. I'd like to really rip one off some time in a fast group that doesn't stop, and get the elapsed time under 5 hours. 4:30 would be my target for 100. I may try for a fast one in November at the next Tour de Tucson, which is 109 miles: my target would be 5 hours or less, which is a 21.8 mph average.

10 Wheels

4 of them this month. 8 to 9 hours.

Pamestique 

My first century (Tour de Tucson): Has planned only to do 50 miles and sag in. My friends, doing the century, left me and rode on. I could not figure out how to get back to the start since I never saw a sag so I kept riding. Before this ride the most distance I had done was a metric. I finished 10 minutes behind my friends at total time 8 hr. 22 minutes. I spent 20 minutes crying at 100 miles (my feet really hurt!) when I found out I had another 8 to go...After the cry, I got back on the bike and finished strong.

Several years later I helped 3 friends do their first century - I agreed to stay with them. Total time was 11 hrs+... I have to say that was an excruciating long day on a bike and off. I won't ever ride like that again! My friends would socialize at all the rest stops. I think taking like 40 - 45 minutes each time. When I do century its pretty much in and out 5 minutes tops. Generally my total riding time is between 7 - 8 hrs. but like DX-man not really into riding organized centuries anymore.

BikeArkansas

I want the same thing, so I have joined the 5 hour pace group for the Hotten Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls, TX in August. I rode this century in 5 hours 1 minute last August. However, I am getting older each year, so I will join this group that has some guys to pace the peleton.

I did ride one metric century (63miles) in which I did not put a foot down. A good way to ride it.

Most of my centuries are around 6 hours, or a little less.

stapfam

Last did it in 2006. When I failed--but 14 hours was my usual time and 12 hours was the best, South Downs way in one day.

Metric and I can do in around 4 hours on the road but 100 miles and I will be around 8 hours. That extra 35 miles slows me down.

Looigi

On organized centuries, a lot depends on how much time you spend dawdling at aid/lunch stops. Some have stops every 10-15 miles and if you hit each one you can easily add an hour or more to your time. I tend to go 30 miles between stops and only stop long enough to pee, refill bottles, and stuff some food items into my face and jersey pockets. Stops longer than 5 or 10 minutes seem to make it harder for me to get going again.

IMO, it's not the distance but how long you spend in the saddle. The faster you go, the less time you spend on the bike, and the easier it gets.

big john

Wow. Sounds like something I would enjoy, or maybe about half of it.

AzTallRider

I've taken to approaching my training rides this way, and have a route where I can not break cadence for as many as 3 hours. My base rides are typically 60-80 miles, and other than for traffic lights (which I time when I can), I only stop to use the bathroom or refill my water bottles. For those training rides, I eat either nothing, or some peanut butter. For fast group rides, I use Hammer Gel, or 50% honey/50% water. I've been training my body to burn fat to the highest extent possible, and that includes a diet that is higher in fatty proteins (like nuts).

az_cyclist

When did you ride Tour de Tucson, Pam? I have never seen a sag on that ride (but there is a number they give you to call if there is a problem). My results for that have been anywhere from about 6:45 overall to 7:35. I always ride it solo.

BlazingPedals

I only do one or two a year that I worry about timing. For those, anywhere from 4:20 to 4:40 would be good. Although I may zoot the bike out and see how close I can get to 4:00. No drafting, of course - drafting would be 'cheating' in that I'd be relying on someone else to help me reach that time. See, even lowracer riders have ethics!

Mr. Beanz

Expected century time really doesn't mean much really, too many different variables. For instance, I'm a 6 hour solo organized century rider but know a gang of sub 5 hour century pack riders that post an hour more than I do on timed centuries with with 10,000 ft.

StephenH

I just did a 300k last weekend (actually a 309k, 192 miles or so) and took 19 hours and 55 minutes to do it. And it was a good ride and I'm glad I worked it the way I did, and wouldn't do anything different. It's not always about speed.

I'll report back if I hit any speed records on the new bike, though.

Barrettscv 

I'm good for a 6 hour, 100-mile Century on a flat, Illinois route in mild weather. I normally catch a few groups during an event, which will pull my on-the-bike speed above 20 mph for 30 to 60 minutes. If I'm solo, I can hold 18 mph on most days. I try to finish 100 miles with two stops for water, a snack and other needs.

If its 80f or warmer, I'll add stops and my time will go up to about 7 hours. I’ve completed events on days that hit 97f, but my pace goes down as the temperatures go up.

Doohickie

My fastest time so far this year is 3 days. Hoping to bring that down to 2. Maybe someday I'll do it in less than a day.

Pamestique 

I wish I could remember - it was maybe 10 years ago? I hadn't planned on doing the century and just casually signed up and decided to do the first part with my friends but then they dumped me after the first "water crossing". I hadn't researched the ride and knew nothing about it... 2 dry river crossings!!?!?!? After the first one I could not engage the cleat (I wore Speedplays at time) for the rest of the ride. I had to push the pedal. By mile 65 my feet were on fire, I really wanted to quit but had no idea where I was and I didn't have a cell phone or a number to call. I would just stop, take my shoe off, put it back on and ride...

It was a cool ride though and I am glad it was my first century. Riding by myself I met alot of nice people along the way. I would ride with them for awhile and then one of us would move on. The finish was well worth the pain. The look on my friends' faces when when I showed up at the hotel 10 minutes behind them was PRICELESS! I probably outrode them if I didn't break down for my cry...

BluesDawg

I'm usually between 7 and 8 hours. A little longer when I'm accompanying a virgin or doing an especially hilly ride. Maybe around 6:45 on the right day.