My first one was last august.. hadn't done anything further than a metric before that. Club ride labeled "Century of the Century" in W. RI / E. Conn. 6500' climbing in 90 degree heat (for those s. cal folks that is quite a bit out here ) didn't drink enough, eat enough, pace myself in the beginning..

did a flatter 4000' climbing one a few weeks ago and did much better. Planning on doing 200k this weekend on the same loop and will hopefully do as well.