Originally Posted by
IAmCosmo
Maybe it was mental as well as physical. I've talked to a lot of people and it seems like there's a big mental hit that comes around mile 80-90. You realize how far you've come, but that you still have a ways to go. I bonked at about mile 92 of my first century. Went out too fast and too hard.
I'm not saying that to be discouraging. I'm saying that so you don't make the same mistakes I made. Deliberately ride the first half a mph or two slower than you know you can. Then you'll have plenty of reserve for the second half.
I encountered that mental thing too ... at mile 80 I was ready to quit, had a ride back so that wasn't an issue, but was gently encouraged to continue and to finish, and I did
But definitely deliberately go slow the first 20-40 miles ... that's very good advice.
And make sure you're comfortable in the "cockpit." 100 miles is a long time on a bike/bike seat/etc ... that was another issue for me.