WonderMonkey

After starting last year very over weight I did a 100k in just under 5 1/2 hours. I could have done it faster in hindsight. I am in much better shape this year plus a new road type bike instead of a hybrid

I am wondering if I can do it in 4 hours.

What are your recent times and do you have a goal for this year?

WonderMonkey

Other thread (double post) was deleted. Thanks to whomever did it!

Machka 

Earlier this year, my goal was just to finish a 100K.

I've done heaps in the past (hundreds), but got out of shape over the past couple years. When I started doing them, I was doing them in 4 to 4.5 hours, depending on the day. Now I'm happy to finish them within Randonneuring time limits of 6.5 hours.

Machka 

Wait ... here you say that you've done 100K, but in the linked thread, you haven't done one yet ... explanation??

https://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdale...me-saddle.html

StephenH

For randonneuring rides, a 100k will normally have a stop in the middle. The fastest I've ever done a 100k was in a little less than 4 hours, but that was in cases where it was part of a longer ride, and that 100k was mostly with tailwind. Otherwise, we've been running 9-10 hours for a 200k, and half that for a 100k. And we go over 10 a lot more than we go under 9!

WonderMonkey

I'll have to go look at my wording but basically I haven't built up to doing one THIS YEAR. I did one last year, along with a 100 miler, etc.

I'm building back up to do that distance this year and was looking to set some goals for myself. I know I'll finish excepting an accident or a screw-up on my part but I always like to have a loose goal.

WonderMonkey

On the organised ride I did last year and the one I'll probably do this year there were about five (maybe 4) tents along the way. If I'm in good enough shape and I'm trying to test myself I'll pass some of them by (unless I need water, etc).

cvskates

i Usually don't set a goal for my longer rides, because up until this year I wasn't training for anything other than to loose weight. I find my 100km rides are right around 4 hours including a 10 minute stop. I use that 25km/h average as a planning guide if I'm on my road bike. On my [unloaded] touring bike I average 2 km/h less.

StephenH

On the charity rides (where you pay $30, get a T-shirt and do the ride), they usually have rest stops every 10 miles. There's been rides where I stopped at every single one. It depends on how hot it is, etc. Riding in the heat with a Camelbak and 2 full bottles, my limit is around 30 miles between stops, and that's usually how we work the rando rides. But just riding with 1 or 2 bottles, that 10 mile rest area is required.

WonderMonkey

Ultimately my goal is fitness (physical and mental) but my fitness includes weight loss so that is what is on my mind. When I train to lose weight I like to have the self-competition goals as that keeps me interested.

WonderMonkey

Last year I stopped at all of them. I may do that this year as well maybe just to refill the water and jump back on the bike. Last year I stopped and had the little snacks they had and wondered how much I was going to hurt when it was all over, etc.

WestPablo

Whatever you do, don't overtax yourself! Increase your strides ever so gradually

WonderMonkey

Agreed. I'm going from a heavier hybrid to a more efficient road style bike. Just for simple math the effort (whatever goes into that) one hour at a certain pace on the hybrid is equal to XX hour(s) of a certain pace on the new bike.

When I head out today I'm dropping off my taxes then heading back. About 30 miles and whatever hours. When I get back I can easily continue past and get in more miles/time depending on how I feel.

cvskates

I can see that. I got it in my head that I want to do a Full Iron Man next year, so that's definitely upped my interest level in goal setting on my longer rides.

WonderMonkey

Unless I am riding with my wife to the next town to get an ice cream I don't just meander about and enjoy the day. Nooo.... can't do that! I like to work towards something. Now I will say that here and there I'll purposely go do a little ride just to stretch the legs or something.

Some can go bike and stop and take pictures and such. I envy them.

martianone

For me, 100 km = about 5 hrs. I don't race and not overly interested in beating any specific time.

BlazingPedals

Four hours is totally do-able, even with lots of hills. Three hours isn't anything extraordinary.

WonderMonkey

My first goal is to finish and not be in so much pain that it runs my day. Once I think that isn't an issue I'll try and beat a certain time depending on where I think I'm at. However I won't care about a time if I'm riding with someone and we can chit-chat as we go as long as we a decent pace. Last year I was able to chat with a few people as I passed them and a few chatted with me as they passed. I'd rather add some time to my outing to enjoy that.

WonderMonkey

I think it's all relative. For me a four hour finish (my goal if it all goes right and I don't social ride with someone slower) would be pretty good and three hours WOULD be extraordinary! If I keep riding hard (for me) then maybe next year a four hour time will be my "new normal" and I can work on the three hour time. That would mean just over 20 mph average and for me that is mind-blowing.

Machka 

So when are you planning to do your first 100K? For the first one ... just go ride!

mrodgers

Jealous of you folks giving out the numbers. On the road, I get about 8 mph with hills pushing it and doubt I could sustain 8 mph for that amount of distance. I assume 100k is 100 km (k is not a unit and a pet peeve of mine) so I figure I'd do 100km (62 miles) in about 8 hours.

Phil_gretz

Rode my touring bike with panniers and handlebar bag this Saturday between Cherry Hill and Colt's Neck, NJ. It was windy/gusty and the handling was a bit sketchy at times. 62.5 miles in 4 hours 23 mins rolling time. I took one break for lunch at a little golf course cafe in East Hanover. Pleasant, and I didn't push my self at all.

WonderMonkey

The first planned one is July 4th. I may do one before then just for fun. As for "... just go ride" I may do that if I don't feel I've prepared the way I like to. And if I don't prepare the way I like to it won't be a big deal, I just like to be .... prepared! The 100k distance is a stepping stone to my 100 mile distance so I want to safely get there as soon as I can. I could go do it NOW if I really wanted to but it be painful. I'd rather work up to it and enjoy it more.

WonderMonkey

You are correct.... 100k is what is usually used so I do that. Same with using "c" or "C" for calories, kcal, etc. etc. I sort of look at it like "100k" is short for "100km". Not quite correct (or at all) but I roll with it.

Around here there are very few actual hills and even then the ones I am normally around are just a few hundred yards long and are not in a row. Gradual inclines or declines at most.

Little Darwin

I sometimes do challenge myself to times, but it has been so long since my last 100 km ride that my next goal will be to finish.

But even when I set goals, I usually don't set them based on what others have done, since it can be easier or harder than I like.

Since you have some time, my process would be, "I can ride 20 miles in xx minutes now. By July 4th I want to ride 100 km in xx * 3 minutes" or maybe xx * 2.9 to increase speed in the ensuing months.

Of course, it is highly unlikely that I will ever push myself to the point where 20 mph for 3 hours is going to happen, but we all have different objectives. I am one of those you envy that stops and enjoys the scenery. You are one of those I envy that can push themselves to speedy long rides.