divingbiker

Yesterday I did my first century. It was on the eastern shore of Maryland, during the second day of Cycle Across Maryland. The terrain is very flat, the temperature was cool in the am rising to mid-80s, and the humidity was low. Perfect.

Except it got up near 90, there wasn't much shade, and it was windy. Really windy. I rode faster than I ever have, going many miles at 14-16 and sometimes faster, but in the end I averaged about 13 mph. The first 60 miles were pretty good, but as the day heated up we took more frequent breaks. I had figured it would take one hour for every 10 miles, including breaks, and that's exactly how it ended up--10.5 hours for 105 miles.

Cycle Across Maryland is an event that definitely skews older, and I'd guess that at least half of the 500 or so participants would qualify for this forum. It's a 3-day ride; I did 30 the first day, then the 105-mile century, and 38 today.

The century was made much more enjoyable since I rode with a 50+ woman who rode across the US (Southern tier) this spring, and we talked about her experience. I have no desire to ever do another century unless my speed improves considerably, as 10.5 hours is a very long time to spend on the bike.

Edit: Here's the proof I did it. I rode 0.4 miles to breakfast, so that makes it 105 total!

century proof.jpg

maddmaxx 

But you now have something in the bag to be proud of. Congratulations.

Tom Bombadil

Tremendous! I like that you paced yourself. And your average overall speed, inc stops, of 10 mph is one that I rarely achieve on anything over 25 miles.

p8rider

Congrats!! That is a grand accomplishment!

Beverly

Congratulations!!

Doing your first century is a fantastic accomplishment. I said I would never do another one after my first but I'm considering one this year.

tlc20010

Congrats!! One of the true milestones of cycling. I think that until you do a century, you haven't really <fill in your own comment here>. Now that you have done it, no one can ever take it away from you. You are a true member of a special club of special cyclists.

George

WOW, I can't sit in a car that long, but I'll still have to give it a try. Anyhow congradulations on a fine ride.

Tom Bombadil

... brutalized your butt enough to get the merit badge?

MTBLover

Great accomplishment, divingbiker! Did you do the camping thing? I was so wanting to do the CAM this year, but I was in Europe till late Thursday, so it wasn't in the cards. Sounds like you had a great time! Are you goint to do the Seagull Century?

Jet Travis

Proven to your friends, family and co-workers how nutty you truly are.

Nycycle

Yoo da man!

doctor j

Congratulations and welcome to the group of insane people who get on a bike and ride 100 miles when they don't need to or have to It's a worthy accomplishment. Well done!!

OH306

Outstanding DB! You say you'll never do it again, but in a couple days from now when your butt feels better you'll probably start planning your next century.

BluesDawg

divingbiker

No, I'm no camper. I stayed in the dorm at UMES. I will probably never camp again, because I like a bed and air conditioning and a shower too much at the end of a long day.

I will definitely not do the Seagull Century, but there's a slight chance I'd do the metric. I haven't reserved a hotel room yet, and I understand that it may be too late at this point. The CAM route today covered some of the Seagull route, if the seagulls painted on the road are any indication.

Coloradopenguin

Way to go!

How did you train for the ride? And what kind of drink/food combo worked for you?

Old Hammer Boy

Yep, I've heard that before--maybe even said it myself. I heard about those gals, they were just a few days behind me as I made my Southern Tier crossing. I think one was even in her 70s.

Tom Bombadil

Hey, I like this divingbiker.

Did a century, but took 10.5 hours. Doesn't want to do another one. Will only stay in motels.

Welcome brother!

divingbiker

Thanks for making me one of the guys, but I think it should be "yoo da woman!" and "Welcome sister!"

Tom Bombadil

Even better ...

Welcome Sister!

divingbiker

I didn't really "train." I ride to work every day, 14.2 miles round trip. I ride one or both days on the weekend, usually around 20-40 miles, sometimes 10 miles mountain biking. The last two weekends I did 50 miles and then 62 miles, and then I went for the century.

I ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at every rest stop, and occasionally orange slices or a banana or a few peanuts. Occasionally I'd have a handful of trail mix that I had brought along. Since I'm a vegan, I took along snacks just in case but the rest stops were well stocked so I didn't have to dip into my stash. I took Gatorade diluted to about half strength in one water bottle, and water in the other. (I got new Polar insulated bottles for the century since I almost got sick drinking 90 degree Gatorade on my 62 mile ride. I like them a lot.)

I just ate and drank regularly and everything worked out fine.

Terrierman

Congratulations on joining the hard heads with cast iron butts club. It's cool to be able to say hey, I done that, I know what it's like. You and I ride about the same speed, we would get on fine together on one of those long rides. WAY TO GO!

momof4greatkids

Way to go girl! COngrats and now just think, you've earned all those bragging rights. Non-cyclists tend to think 20 miles is a long way to go on a bike, but cyclists KNOW 100 miles really IS a LONG, very long way and a tremendous accomplishment. You should be very proud of yourself. I'm proud of you!

Colleen

bobby c

Most excellent & congrats. As a fellow DC'er, let me know (or tlc20010 - the Grampster) if you ever want to go out for a 45 mile ride in the Maryland burbs - my wife would like some more female company.

Tom Bombadil

Nice planning. I'm impressed by your approach to it. That you set out to do it and then knocked it down.

And you did it without the tornado assistance that gave Terrierman such a big boost on his century.