N2GLOCK

I've been road cycling quite consistently for about 2.5 yrs. now. I haven't done a Century yet and I have really been wanting to. For about a year I've been experiencing this problem where I tend to "BONK" after about 55 miles, keeping me from completing a 100 miler. I've been reading alot lately about all the members on this site and all the Centuries that everyone has been completing and I decided that I've got to get on the ball if I wanna be able to keep up with everybody. Last night I planned out a route for myself to ride out to Moorpark solo. I left this morning at 9:30 and I ended up doing 76 miles. This is a big deal for me and it's my personal best so far! Here are some of the stats:

Total miles: 76.3
Time: 5hrs. 05 min.
Avg. HR: 145
Avg. Cadence: 74
Calories Burned: 4006

I don't know if that time includes my stops or not. I did stop once to do one of my 5 minute tube swaps because of a flat. I also did a 13 minute break stop in Moorpark, and a 5 minute break stop just before climbing the Santa Susana Pass on the return. As you can see I didn't "BONK" after 55 miles I think mainly because I kept myself hydrated and I brought plenty of food this time. I did feel like crap once I got home but after taking a shower, resting and eating I feel alot better. Hopefully my legs won't be in too much pain tomorrow

awiner

Awesome work.... Your are right, fueling your body does make a big difference as does pacing yourself. You should think about comming out with us next week from Van Nuys to Santa Barbara....

merider1

Ed, that is wonderful. Congratulations!!!! You should be very proud of yourself. 76 miles is huge! It worries me that some riders may feel as if "the majority on here" look at any ride under 100 as if it doesn't matter, and that couldn't be farther from the truth. Pat yourself on the back, and keep looking into proper nutrition, fueling, etc. for longer rides, as that IS the key. You'll find it and soon you'll be one of "us" nuts out riding 100+. I am one who feels for me that 100 miles has become easy but only because I ride them constantly. But I remember the process of getting to this point and respect and admire riders at all levels (honestly) and applaud you in your efforts to continuously challenge yourself. Way to go!

jsigone

I don't understand how that is alot of calories..........

magicant

You definitely have the riding strength, N2. Just extend a few miles each week and work on your nutritional balance and you'll get there. If you did 76 miles in 5 hours (with breaks), that's pretty fast for a first time. When I do a century, I tend to take them slowly - lets my body take its time burning its own fuel rather than needing to carb up so much. My first century took me something like 10 hours.

But like m.e. said - you don't have to feel like you "need" to do a century - just do what you enjoy. If you want to get to a century, awesome

roadfix

Nice job Ed! You should be riding your century any day now.

powerglide

Congrats on the breakthrough!

octico

Personally I think centuries are more mental than physical. I just did my first century in December (Burrito). My longest ride before that was 65 miles. I have a busy schedule so I don't have time to ride, and I a probably 15-20 pounds overweight. The one suggestion I have when you do your first century is to do it with a group of people. Talking to other riders makes the miles go faster.

thomson

Great ride N2GLOCK (if that is your real name ). The only thing I might suggest is you look to get your cadence up a bit. I am a slow cadence guy myself but I do know a faster cadence helps a lot of people by putting less stress on your legs/knees.

But, you are well on your way to your goals. Good for you!!

MarkAJ

Ride On! You’re really there now. Just keep working on hydration and feeding for long rides. I am always tired after 60 or more miles. Eating after a long ride is important too. Let me know if you want to ride some weekend. You know we live in the same area.

Pamestique 

I do agree centuries are mostly mental but but nutrition is important - one reason why on organized rides there is usually a sag stop every 20 miles. When riding say less than 40 miles, it's not all that important to stop and eat but to keep your body going more than that and not get bonky you must fuel it regularly. You didn't say but during your 70+ miler, how many times did you stop and fuel? What are you fueling with?

Suggestion is to eat a good breakfast at least 2 - 3 hours before the ride, just before the ride, have a protein/power bar, and then every 20 miles have a power bar, or fruit, fig newtons, pretzels etc. Maybe even have a peanut butter sandwich at 50 miles. Once you hit 60 + it's a good idea to start using GU every hour plus use an electrolyte replacement fluid pus drink lots of liquids. Even in this cold wewather you can get dehydrated.

Good luck - if you can do 76 miles now you are ready for a century. One note to add: Short breaks - learn to do short break - no more than 5 minutes or so. Longer breaks cause leg fatique etc. During century rides, I stop at the sag, grab some pretzels and fruits, eat on the way to the trash can and am on my bike again. Probably less then 5 minutes. It's better to have more short stops than fewer long.

N2GLOCK

Thanks to everyone for the words of encouragement and the advice. I thought for sure that I'd be in some sort of pain or discomfort today, but actually I feel pretty good. It looks like I need to work on keeping the cadence up. I was maintaining an average of 85 rpm from Burbank to just before the Santa Susana. Then after climbing that I pretty much maintained that cadence until Moorpark. However, on my return by about mile 45 my legs started to get tired and at that point I was no longer able to keep that same pace. I think that in time as my legs get stronger and I come up with a better strategy I'll be able to maintain higher rpm's for longer periods of time.

I'm hoping to do this ride again Sunday and I'm definitely going to take BCIpams advice. I would also have to agree that riding these long distances takes alot of mental strength. I did this ride solo, and after a while I became very lonely. The weather wasn't too great and I hardly saw any other riders. After about mile 50, all I could think about was getting home. I'm seriously thinking about having my girlfriend drive out and meeting me at the half way point for a bit of a morale boost (just until I'm ready to do a century with all of you)

As I said before, thanks eveyone for the advice and words of encouragement. It really means alot to me!

BTW for some reason I didn't state in my original post that my avg. speed was 15.1 MPH. Guess I overlooked that.

jpconrad

If you feel pretty good today you're probably up for it. Just make sure to eat and drink early and constantly.

You could always do a ride with someone else, or with a group, if riding solo for that distance gets lonely. I mainly ride solo (even during rides like the Stagecoach) so I can understand what you're talking about.)

Minemee

Lemmie no if ya wanna do some training rides. I live in Glendale and ride Kenneth & or Bel Air about 3x a week. I usually do 22 - 25 twice during the week and usually 40 - 75 on Sundays. Drop a line!
Scott
ebsdoyle@aol.com