shmulb

In preparation for my first century attempt next week, my 17yr old son and I rode 78 miles yesterday with 5000 feet of climbing. Our Average speed was 15mph. The route has most of the hard climbs in the last 10 miles.
We had 2 15 minute stops and one half hour for lunch, plus a few 5 minute stops to work out where we were. We started out in 39F at 9am and the temps got up to the high 50's, A long sleeve merino wool jersey really worked well. Generally the ride went well, we had enough food and water and are both confident we can do 100 next week.
The basic ride is hee, we added a few miles to and from home, and getting lost and finding a dead end and having to go around it.
https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...nati/305876507

Allegheny Jet

Nice job. You are ready to go! Is your century a supported event or are you two going at it alone?

shmulb

It is a supported ride
https://www.cincinnaticycleclub.org/e...al-rides/ggrr/

Allegheny Jet

One piece of advice is to not go at the ride too fast at the beginning. Trying to ride the same speed as others will cause your ride to go south later on. Keep the pace at what you and your son are accustomed to riding during your training rides. If you feel great at 80 miles, then go at it. For your first century, the goal should be to finish with enough energy to go home and mow the grass. Not that you should do that. Remember to have fun and have a "cold one" when your done.

stapfam

On a century- I always give it 5 miles before I start picking up speed. Normally I ride with a few friends on these rides and there is always at least one that has to go faster. I just let them go. By about the 50 mile mark we are back together and that is about the distance that I start piling on the speed. I use the terrain to get that speed. Downhill and I go for it- Gentle slopes and I maintain speed and uphill I just keep pushing.

One point though- 100 miles is just a bit further. At around the 70 to 80 mile mark you can hit a problem on energy so I stop at around the 65 mile mark. Stretch- Take a natural break- Drink a bottle of water and eat something a bit more substantial in comparison to what I have been snacking on. Only takes a couple of minutes but I don't bonk on these rides.

doctor j

Sounds like you're good to go with the century.

Pace yourself, don't forget fuel and fluids, and you'll do fine.

10 Wheels

Same some Energy for the Last Ten Miles.
The Last Ten miles will be Tough.
You can do it.

Yen

Good job! Sure sounds like you're more than ready for the century.

shmulb

Thanks for the advice, now if the weather will just co-operate we should be good to go.

jppe

Good luck....as you've probably read here before just keep the routine the same as your previous training and riding. DO NOT experiment......foods, fluids, nutrition, saddles, positions, etc. Save the experiments for the shorter rides. You will do just fine.

NOS88

It does indeed look like you're ready to go for the big 100. Good luck and congrats on the current accomplishment.... it's nothing to sneeze at.

Mojo Slim

I have never really had the urge to see how fast I can do a century. Maybe that's because I'm not very fast. But I love the distance, time on the bike, chatting with others, the little adventures and the feel-good tiredness at the end. You are ready. Have a ball. Take pictures. Eat pie.