phatmonkey

I have only been riding for about two months. A friend and I did 32 miles last weekend (about 2000 feet climb) and I felt pretty good about it. I wasn't exhausted at the end of it.

We are riding 50 on wednesday, but I was wondering how big of a jump is it from a half century to a full century? Did you think the biggest hump was getting over a 50 mile run? a 30 mile run? I don't want to get halfway out and pass out.

Thanks for you advice.

schnabler1

Personally, once I did 60 miles solo felt I could do 100 and did fine. Rest up before hand and eat well and have fun.

MIN 

Just make sure to eat plenty of fuel along the way. If you can do 50, you can do 100. Eat and hydrate and pedal like hell.

johnny99

Unless this is a mountainous century ride, the biggest difference between 35 miles and 100 miles is eating and drinking. You can probably do a 35 mile ride without eating or drinking anything during the ride. On a 100 mile ride, you are going to need to refuel. A supported century ride will have rest stops every 20 miles or so. Try to drink at least one full water bottle before the next rest stop, possibly 2 bottles if it is a hot day (or you are a large person). Also pick up some food at each stop and eat it while riding to the next stop. Eat and drink what you are used to; you don't want to get a stomach ache or allergic reaction half way into your ride.

jrobe

Do a web search on century training regimens (or even something like a marathon run training regimen). They will all suggest a gradual increase in a weekly long distance ride as well as in the total weekly mileage.

You can go straight from 50 to 100 miles (ie. 3 hour ride to a 6 hour ride) but it isn't very wise, probably won't be very fun and you may even be risking injury. I would build up a little slower (maybe something like 10-15% per week).

woodcycl

While I don't disagree with what anyone has stated thus far, you certainly may notice a few differences and it is good to have an idea of these areas before you start:

1. Where your bumm meets the saddle. There is a HUGE difference, at least for me, if you are only use to riding 35 to 50 miles in one sitting and riding a 100 miles when it comes to your bumm on the saddle. It could be pressure points on your sit-bones, numbness, chaffing, or whatever based on your personal situation. This takes time to build up.

2. Knees, Joints, lower back, wrists, hands, kneck, etc. Going from 35 to 50 miles ... and jumping to 100 miles in one sitting can wreak havoc if done all at once on these areas. If you aren't opposed to taking ibuprofen, have some on-hand!

3. Fuel. Stay hydrated, replace electrolytes, etc. Even if you don't feel thirsty ... keep hydrated ... especially with speciall formulated bev's which contain electrolytes and such. And, EAT something solid, but not too heavy.

Just my opinion. Given you have only 2 months of riding under your belt, going from 35 to 50 miles ... and jumping to 100 may not be the same for you as it is for those folks who've been cycling for 5, 10, 15, or 20+ yrs and deciding to jump from 50 miles to 100 miles all of a sudden early in a season. Good luck and have fun.