spoke50

I'm thinking about taking this ride on. Maybe just the 48 or 66 miles this year. I'm 50 and I rarely ride more than 25 miles. I live right by Oak Mountain SP, so I ride there most of the time. For those who don't know Oak Mountain, it is hilly, but not that difficult (especially compared to Cheaha). The hill going back into my nieghborhood is probably a 18, but that is the only tough incline I encounter on my regular rides. My question is - I haven't seen the Cheaha course (I plan to soon), what type of inclines should I prepare for? I am light (133) and concider myself a good uphiller, but I am concerned about the distance and severity of this ride. I am starting to slowly add a longer distance rides to my weekly scheduel, but I'm running out of training time.

Any advice would be appreciated

Ex Pres 

I haven't, but plenty of the https://www.bhambikeclub.org/ members have, and lots of us fit your age range (I'm 49), so should be some help. Rich, Ed, or Eddie on the contact list should be able to lead you in the right direction.

crispx

It's an out-n-back course, not a loop. So you can bail anytime you like.
I don't like out-n-back routes, so I've never done the ride, but have scouted it for routes. It is steepest on the backside of Cheaha, which on this route, you descend, then climb back up. So, you don't have to do it if you don't want to. Just turn around and head back to the start. This makes it an ideal ride for someone unsure about their conditioning level.

jppe

I've done the Century twice. I did it when I was 53 and 54 so you can do it too!! I really like it because the first and last 20 miles are pretty flat. If you can get in a good group those miles seem to zip by. All the climbing is in the middle 60 miles. While I don't generally like out and backs this one is fun as you can see where you stand with the front group as you meet them coming back. The climbs give you a good workout but but I don't recall them being overly long. The volunteers are just tops and the ride is well organized.

The first time I was a little worried about the section between 40 and 50 miles (the turnaround) but it wasn't bad at all. The climb coming back is longer than the others but it wasn't terribly steep.

I think the fastest I've been on a bike was on one of the descents on the return leg.

Give it a try.

spoke50

Just what I was hoping to hear. I was a little concerned about long steep climbs. I can handle steep fairly well, but the distance could be a problem. I have seen the profile and it does seem to be flat for the first 20 miles or so. I'm trying to add a longer ride every week, so I will be ready for the distance. My scheduel makes it a little tough. I thinking of trying for the full century next year as a more realistic goal.

Thanks fo the info