roccobike

For starters, I'm not a fast rider like many of the posters here. I'm a "B" club rider and I'm OK with that. I've done many metric centuries (Fred centuries) but never a 100 mile century. I figure, it's over rated.
So I'm riding with the main club I ride with at an MS 150 event. I'm signed up for the 75, most of the group is signed up for the 100 the first day. I took a few turns pulling the line thinking I'd help out then break off for the shorter ride. The weather was PERFECT high 70s, some overcast skies, some direct sun, low breeze that's blowing cool air and the course is flat. We picked up some other riders along the way and at one point I counted nearly 40 bikes in a double pace line.
A couple of club members told me to go for it, stay with the club and get my first century in. At the break off point the line was moving consistantly at around 20+MPH and I decided to ride with them. It was great. Nice smooth riding pace line, we skipped three rest stops and turned a fourth into a fill up the water and go. Funny thing happened at 85 miles, the soreness in my thighs went away and my power actually Increased! At the end, we finished with nice 18.9 MPH average.
I know some of you will flame this thread. That's Ok, I'm still feeling good two days later.
Oh, yeah, doing 100 miles is not over-rated.

furyx

Why would we do that? Your average isn't that low. Congratulations!

bike4life

Fantastic!

surfengine

is it still considered 100 miles if you do it in a group ride?
i think you should solo 100 miles.

reef58

Good job.

Richard

cshell

<---- Jealous

scotch

FR4NCH1SE

18mph avg and you consider youself B class? Thats darn awesome. B class is more in the 14mph century, you are legit dude!

chriscolts

That is a great average for your first century.
Way to go.

umd

It's going to depend on your perspective. Those kind of speeds are good but aren't spectacular for a large group on a flat century. When a club splits groups into "A", "B", etc. it's all relative to the group. So by saying he is a "B" rider he really just means there are faster riders and groups that he can't hang with. There is a club ride here that has an "A" ride and a "B" ride that splits off, but really the real "A" ride starts across town, and is much harder, faster and longer.

Anyway, to the OP, good job.

roccobike

Good explanation. Thanks,

BigBlueToe

Oh man, I must be in about M class! I'm a clunker and there's no cash. But I agree, a century is not over-rated. It's an accomplishment.

So, a metric century is a Fred century? I like it. I'm signed up for a century in two weeks and haven't been able to train much. I'll be happy to finish the Fred century.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Machka 

Congratulations.

For more first centuries, you might want to have a look at the "Remember Your First Century" thread in the Long Distance forum:
https://www.bikeforums.net/long-distance-competition-ultracycling-randonneuring-endurance-cycling/233725-remember-your-first-century-100-miles.html

kleinboogie

Sweet! Congrats to you and everyone else on their first whatever. Keep it up.

AngryScientist 

good work, dont downplay your accomplishment. you rode well and had a good time, what more can you ask for.

skol

congrats - solo/group its still a long day in the saddle and a great bucket list achievement if nothing else.

JohnKScott

Congrats. Nice job!