I decided to do a solo century on Saturday as part of my training for Ragbrai. I rode 15 road miles to the trail head and then 85 miles on the GAP trail on my Tricross Sport. I was carrying a trunk with mini-paniers packed with a change of clothes and toiletries needed at the end of the ride since I had to clean up and attend an art show opening at the end of the ride. The total elevation gain was 3300 ft. Since it was my first ride > 70 miles, I did not push hard. Avg. Speed 12.6 mph which comes out to 8 h on the bike. I also took about 2 h of breaks. I thought I would post my times here for the benefit of other riders who get disheartened by the 6 hour total time century posts.

I would note that I think rail trail riding is significantly slower than road riding. For one thing, I was using 32 mm mixed tread tires--I use 28 slicks when I do a road ride. For another, I find it a bit more tiring to constantly pedal as is required on the trail in lieu of the pedal up coast down rhythm of road rides. I will have to do a a road century sometime soon to see how much easier it is. Perhaps I am just fooling myself and it won't be that much different.

I felt great after finishing. I felt it a bit in my legs the next day but I would have willingly gotten on a bike and done another semi-long ride if I hadn't had to work.