Originally Posted by
Rick@OCRR
All good advice above, and the only thing I would add it to keep your motivation level high. The % most oft quoted is that Long Distance Cycling is 80% mental.
I have no idea how "they" could arrive at such a percentage, but yes, a lot of it is wanting to accomplish your goal, and being willing (mentally) to keep going, pretty much no matter what.
That said, if you pace yourself, eat and drink as recommended above, and don't dally at the checkpoints (don't even think of them as "rest stops!") then you'll be fine, and finish feeling great.
Plus, remember, centuries are great training rides for double centuries!
Rick / OCRR
Or to paraphrase Yogi Berra, "Cycling 90% mental -- the other half is physical."