Originally Posted by supcom
3. Setting speed averages without knowing the rider is not a good idea. A better strategy is to use a herat rate monitor to determine ones exertion level for 80-85% of MaxHR and try to average this heart rate during the ride. The idea is to ride in a manner that conserves glycogen so a bonk is less likely.
This is an interesting point... I have never considered using a HRM for a century, but now I may.
However, it would seem that 80-85% average for 5-8 hours for someone used to a significantly shorter distance might be riding pretty hard. Do you really advise riding in that range for a first century rather than allowing for a more casual pace? If so, why?
It would seem like a hard mental challengeto ride 50% farther at a pace that is possibly as fast as (or faster than) the previous long ride of say 70 miles.