I'd love to do the NYC Century Tour. Lately I've mostly been upstate on family business when I'm up that direction, but next year I think I'll arrange the timing of my trip to coincide with the NYC ride.

I did my first two centuries recently at two week intervals (August 18th, Sept 1). Mine were slow too (in both cases about 8 3/4 hours total, counting rest stops). I wasn't concerned with speed on these two, just finishing (especially the first one in 100 degree Georgia heat, and the humidity everyone down here has grown to love). My plan for the next two months is to work on speed. At 56 years old I'm not expecting to get below seven hours total time, but I'd like to get closer to the middle of the pack.

I'm planning on doing the UMCA's Larry Schwartz Year Rounder in 2008 (a century a month), so I'm working out the kinks of my long distance riding conditioning, style, and equipment. It's amazing the things which don't cause problems on a 20 mile ride which begin getting really obvious after about the first 80 miles (in my case bad seat adjustment, cycling shoe size, and hydration style).