I completed my first century yesterday, the 109 mile Tour de Tucson. Here is the Garmin Connect record of my ride.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/57514856
My strategy for the ride was to stay in zone 3 for the bulk of the ride, only letting my heart rate go up significantly on the hills. I stuck with that strategy... for about 60 seconds.
When everyone took off like banshees, I stayed with groups that were moving pretty fast. I just couldn't resist. I did the first 4 hours averaging 19 mph, then slowed dramatically as we passed the 80 mile mark and headed straight into winds of 20 mph, gusting to 30. Groups really broke up in that (as people stopped at aid stations), and it was hard for me to find any help breaking the wind. So I plodded along, stopping at the aid stations for food, water refills, and to just rest my legs. I never bonked or cramped up, I just grew fatigued, lost strength in my legs, and slowed down. Average moving speed for the ride was 17.6 mph. Elapsed time was 7:13. I was passed by a lot of riders as I faded. Had I maintained my strategy, I would have been stronger at the end, and probably had a better elapsed time due to fewer stops, but I believe I still would have faded. And I wouldn't have had as much fun, as I would have missed the 25-30 mph pace-lines. I just need more long distance training, as my weekend club rides are in the 45-60 mile range.
The Tucson event is amazingly well run. They maintain a controlled but not overbearing sort of discipline that can only be achieved by having folks work it (and ride it) year after year. With close to 9,000 riders, 'stuff' going to happen. There will be accidents. But they minimize problems by providing advance materials, briefings at the convention center expo where you pick up your packets, and by having people provide tips and relate their personal experiences.
I lined up before 4:00am for the 7:00 start, wearing a 'throwaway' jacket I had picked up at Goodwill. They start your time at 7:00, no matter how far back you are, so folks line up early. No big deal, really, since I was out of town, alone, and had gone to bed at about 7:00pm. By 5:30, music was blaring, the MCs were going, and things were revving up. There were folks around me from all over the world: Japan, South Africa, you name it. Greg LeMond was there on the bridge over the starting line. Throughout the race, we were cheered on by folks at almost every intersection - people living on the route would be sitting there providing encouragement, which was very welcome. Well, all except the older woman who told us, after the 80 mile mark, that we were "half way there". NOT funny! Well, actually, it was. I laughed.
All-in-all a long, hard ride, and one I enjoyed immensely. Especially when it was over. I survived the start, the fast tightly packed groups, a couple of downed riders a little bit in front, and a dropped water bottle that I nailed with my front tire, smashing it flat without going down, bending my rim, or getting a pinch flat.
I'll definitely do it again!