JBerman

I just finished my 1st century! Thanks to EVERYONE here with all their great tips! I've only been cycling for 3 weeks! I picked up a used Scott Speedster S20 from craigslist for $600 and hit the ground running (rode with a couple groups and took everyone's advice).

I did a 53 mile ride the beginning of the week, and that was the furthest I've done before today (before that was 30 mile rides). My rear was VERY sore after that ride so I was worried, but it's not sore at all today! I just bought a Charge Spoon but will be sending it back since my current seat works great apparently, I'm not changing it (everyone makes fun of me for it, Planet bike A.R.S.)

I took everyone's tips, and got out of the seat frequently (about every 10 minutes for 10-20 seconds)... Everything else is of course sore, but nothing crazy. My neck got tight and my legs were, well you know...

No chamois cream since I was advised not to experiment last minute. I ended up seeing a guy from a local group I started going to, and managed to stay with him the entire way (great motivator, plus I was able to draft now and then). He's been riding for a few years, and had a beautiful carbon Cervélo. I held a 16.2 mph avg pace for 77 miles, dropped to 16.1 mph at 87 miles, and at 100 (my computer says 101.94), it was down to 15.9... I blame fatigue and heat. The entire morning was gorgeous, around 65 degrees... It got up to 81 during the afternoon. I left riding at 7am (woke up at 4:30am to eat, shower, get ready, etc). It was briefly dark so we followed another rider who had a light, but after 10 minutes or so it was light enough. I drank PLENTY, including for the past couple days.. I also ate well the past couple days. For breakfast I had 2 packets plain oatmeal, with a banana and a tbsp of pure maple syrup, and 8oz milk. I then ate every hour (gel, fig newtons, cookies, whatever was at the sag stations, plus my granola bars). I also had a cup of gatorade, twice. The course was almost all flat, on a 46 mile long paved trail (back and forth, etc). There were a couple small hills on an 8 mile loop they threw in to make it 100, but we tackled that part 1st.

My overall stats were:
7 hours 2 minutes total overall time with breaks
6 hours 23 minutes cycling time
101.94 miles
15.9 avg mph overall
2904 calories burned (according to my Velo 9 anyways)

All I can suggest for others is to ride with someone who has the same pace as you. Having someone to talk to (and draft) certainly helps! I know I go against the rule of training, but I feel great and I'm proud of my accomplishment.

lanahk

Congratulations!

Ursa Minor

Wow super job.

Charlie

Weatherby

Well done, congratulations. What's next? Double metric?

bbarnett51

That's great!

JBerman

Thanks everyone! Yes, 200k would be my next big goal! But the wife and I are going to plan for a local sprint tri (1/4 mile swim, 5k and 15 mile bike ride). Should be easier and fun, but I don't run or swim so will be a challenge for us (she runs but doesn't bike or swim)!

I can't believe I'm not even sore today! I expected not to be able to walk! I soaked in the tub for an hour yesterday after the ride, so I'm guessing that helped!

anyride

Impressive time and numbers, congratulations!
c

Homeyba

Congrates! I did my first century in about the same time. I didn't go as fast as you but the century I did had 10,000ft of climbing. I think that things like this show that the distance really isn't a big deal. Most of us who have some basic fitness level can get on a bike and do a century without a whole lot of training.

A 200k should be an easy step from here for you. I finished my first 600k before the end of my first year of riding. I would suggest not neglecting the training though. Training will make it much easier and faster!

Chris_W

Great job. I think you're next goal should be doing a century somewhere other than Florida because hills make it more interesting and even more fun

JBerman

Maybe I'll do the Horrible Hundred (Florida). It's apparently VERY hilly. I just watched a video where everyone was walking up the hill, lol. It's in Nov I believe.

JBerman

Wow a 600k in a year, now that's amazing! I know my area does have super long rides like that, but since they aren't marked and have no sag stops, I can imagine that makes a world of difference! I am interested in long distance and I'm already looking into a 217k permanent route (https://www.rusa.org/cgi-bin/permview_GF.pl?permid=1901). I just joined RUSA. I'm thinking possibly April 12th for the ride.

Although after watching some videos my new lifetime goal is ironman! Lol. I'll train for those sequentially though, starting with a tri sprint.

Edit: Just registered for the Withlacoochee Rails to Trails 217k RUSA Permanent - Route #1901 for April 5th, 07:30am!

Homeyba

I don't know about amazing. More likely a result of hanging out with the wrong crowd. When I first started riding there were two RAAM veterans and a number of other long distance racers in my immediate riding group. They were talking about doing a century and I said sure, why not. I figured if they could, I dont't see why I couldn't. Then they started talking about doing PBP and I said why not. I didn't even know what PBP was. Every brevet I did was my longest ride. You do need to be careful ramping up that quickly though. I did run into some overuse issues with my knees. I'd have some knee pain, not on the rides but immediately after. They'd hurt pretty good. That went away for the most part after my first year of riding.
While I like long distance, when I do brevets I do it for the company. They are social events for me. I don't know about doing a permanent by myself. I do long distance races when I want to hear myself talking over extended periods.

JBerman

I apparently broke a spoke from the ride! My wheels were also quite a bit out of true. Just had the LBS fix me up. My rear tire was also super worn and got a bontrager AW3 HCL. I was planning on a GP4000s when the time came but this is what they carry (didn't want to wait to order). This is what they all ride at the shop apparently so I figured I'd give it a shot. Anything is likely an upgrade over the stock Conti Ultra Sport tires. I was advised to just keep riding the stock front since it has a bit of life left, so that works for me.

JBerman

I love my group rides for the company, and I also enjoyed the company on the century. For some reason I'm excited to do the permanent solo, mostly because I think I'll be more relaxed without worrying of "keeping up", plus I can take whatever stops I want. But I will definitely do brevets in the future!

rodar y rodar

Sounds good, but most of the other Cyclists I see are screaming along at like 15MPH or better

Anyway, congrats on the just ridden century and have a good time on the permanent.

anotherbrian

Thanks for starting a "my first century" thread that didn't ask for advice on how to train for it when it was still 9mo away. Nice to see someone just do it, and not over think it.

tomasso2013

Wow this is great news, I'm impressed at the amount of prep time. I've trained for two years and attempted it last spring. i did 76 miles and struggled thru it. i am attemptig it again next weekend at our first local ride. i have trained for the past 4 weeks. im 49 and ready to get on the century books! Carpe Diem my friemd.

JBerman

Good luck on your upcoming century! Remain positive and know you can do it! Take frequent but short breaks, and get out of the saddle often for a few seconds.

I'm off to do my RUSA 135 mile (217k) permanent this morning!