pgjackson

Did the Tour de Palm Springs century today. My goal was to finish in 7 hours, ended up at 100 miles at 6:10. The ride was actually 103 miles and I forgot to check my time at the finish line (too many people around). Anyway, my average was a little over 16mph. The first 15 miles sucked. Took 20 minutes just to get to the start line, then it was a huge mess, into the wind till the first SAG. After that is was awesome. Those pace lines are no joke. Got in a huge one (probably 40 riders, 2 lines side by side) going about 30 mph for about 6-7 miles. Talk about total focus. Then we hit some really bad road and it got pretty scarry. Even got to lead my own pace lines a few times. The worst part was being out in the middle of nowhere all alone. Anyway, I had a great time.

Oh, ZERO flats! I was having a horrible time with flats a couple of weeks ago. Too tired right now to type much more.

Carbon Unit

Congrats. I have yet to do my first century. I have done 65 miles four or five times and it wasn't too bad. I want to start out with a century that is relatively flat. How flat is the Palm Springs ride? I might want to try that one next year. I have heard that Solvang is another one that I should consider.

What I need to learn to do is eat on the bike or have some liquid nutrition so that I don't bonk.

sqharaway

Congrats! They're addicting.

vision646

Congrats!

I'll be doing my first century in November (El Tour de Tucson), 40 miles into some serious wind by myself was enough for me today....

Creatre

Cool, congrats!

pgjackson

Palm Springs was pretty flat. Lots of low, rolling hills and the bigger hills were very gradual. I was looking at the Solvang Century, but I read that it is VERY hilly. I think it is rated as very difficult. This was about all I could handle. Probably won't be doing another century for a while.

megalowmatt

Congratulations. My wife and I rode the 55 mile route today and as you know the weather was perfect.

You're right about the roads, some were pretty crappy.

Velo Vol 

How many riders?

pgjackson

I was in that huge pace line from about mile 45-50. Road was beautiful, everyone was in sync, wind was at our backs...then all of a sudden nothing but potholes. Stuff started flying off of people's bikes, about 6 of us (including me) had to swere across the double line (fortunately there were no oncoming cars), and the whole line fell apart. But other than that it was a spectacular day.

pgjackson

I think there were something like 10,000 total. There was also a 55 mile and 25 mile ride. The bulk seemed to be in the century.

d8168055

cool man i was there too! my chain broke at mile 13... so it took me 6 hours and 53 mins... but it was a great experience... good job!

callmeclemens

I did my first last year, this year i'm doing 6 so far. Have fun!

zonatandem

Congrats!
Rode my first century in 1973 and have ridden well over a hundred since then. Even did a half-dozen double centuries.
Now at age 78, still ride 100+ miles a week.
See what you got to look foreard to?

10 Wheels

Awesome speed....Glad no one crashed.

Phil85207

Congratulations. Now that you have the first one under your belt you can do one anytime you want to just for fun. You never forget your first organized century though.

wants185s

Love to hear this. I am 64 and hope to follow in your footsteps (pedaling) for a long time.

kleinboogie

Congrats! I've been training for crits and tt's so haven't done any centuries in a few months. Kinda miss 'em. Enjoy!

Tunnelrat81

Also did the Palm Springs century today. My wife and I met up with our team and had a really nice time pacing out the miles. We got out right at the start time so the road was sparsely populated compared to our experience last year. We took it moderately easy up the first climb, and then some of the folks started pushing it through the long roller section. Our group split into two (or three) on one of the bigger rollers and didn't come back together until the 51 mile SAG station. That halfway point is the only SAG stop that we made. Filled bottles and ate a bunch of food quickly before jumping back on and continuing. Took it easier on the second half for sure, but still made really good time. Lots of fun, basically no wind (after those first few miles), tired legs, and great food at Fisherman's afterwards. What's not to love.

-Jeremy

BayAreaUser

Congratulations!!
I rode 82 miles today too. My longest ride so far. I can't wait to join the 100 mile club. Enjoy =) a 30mph pace line is no joke...

StephenH

If you had taken 8 hours instead of 6, you'd probably be talking about how easy it all was instead of it being "all you could handle". If you try hard enough, you can ride 20 miles and be completely wiped out, or you can back off on the speed and go all day. So don't rule out the hilly rides, take your time, crank up the hills, and there's lots of fun to be had there, too.

valygrl

Congrats! Solvang was my first century, it wasn't hard. Only about 3-4000' climbing. One of the easier centuries, I think.

banerjek

+1

Slowing down by 0.5 mph makes a huge difference in how you feel, and by the time you take that to 2mph, it's the difference between killing yourself and being bored silly. Congrats on your first century, and don't be afraid to try something more ambitious.

eyeheartny

Congrats! I was there too. Planned to do the 55, missed the turn (and didn't realize it) at the first truck, and rode an extra while with the century riders. Turned off at the big truck with the signs on it (along the long, straight section). Ended up being 68.5 miles. My longest ride to date.

Best part was that I heard people talking about what mile we were at, and I couldn't figure out why my count was so much higher. Turns out I had rejoined the majority of the 55'ers. First organized event ride was memorable to say the least!

Titmawz

Awesome ! Cents are fun indeed !

mwbarker

Congrats on the century! How'd the Z85 perform? Did you swap out the stock saddle before the ride? As a fellow Z85 owner who's aiming at a century or two later in the year, I'd love to hear any bike-related details you care to provide.