Myosmith

I rode my first real century today. 100 miles with only a few 2-3 minute stops for refilling water bottle and slamming down a granola bar or oatmeal raisin cookie. I've ridden 100 miles in a day before but only with one or more long breaks for real meals or other activities, making them more like 3-4 rides of 25-35 miles each.

Wasn't the ideal day for this attempt but it was my only free day this week when the weather was supposed to be reasonable. I bucked a 16-20 mph sustained wind for the first 38 miles including the hilliest (is that a word?) section of the ride. After my first major change in direction I had a tail wind for about 10 miles then it shifted to become more of a side wind (dang) but at least I was making up time. Finished in just under 8 hours despite some very slow going on a few sections.

Nothing record setting, but I feel good about it and wanted to say thanks to everyone here who has offered advice and support.

drmweaver2

Congratulations. The "first one" is a real feeling of accomplishment, isn't it?!?!?

Machka 

Congratulations. But all those other 100-mile days with the lunch breaks ... they were real centuries too.

Street Pedaler

That's awesome. I'm hoping to do my first this year, too. Way to go!

dave5339

Great job! Now what's your next goal?

Semper Fi

Myosmith

Next goals are to get the time down and to improve my hill climbing. Still working at getting some more weight off (me and the bike). Yesterday I rode my 30# steel touring hybrid with about 4# of extras that I wouldn't have to carry, like a cable and lock in a frame bag and a stuff sack on the rear rack with a windbreaker and and leg warmers. This morning I weighed myself and found that I dropped over 2 pounds even though my hydration (bioimpedence scale) was the same and I drank a lot of water and had a big meal last night. I was pleasantly surprised to find that despite the headwinds and hill climbs, I'm not all that sore or tired today.

I'm riding the century in the Tour de Cure in June and would like to turn in a time around 7 hours. I've also got a century in September in lakes country with lots of rolling hills. I can't tell you how much the advice and encouragement I found on this forum has helped.

Dudelsack 

Like landing a plane, if you can walk after a century, it was a good one.