Thanks, Machka, for your advice and help. I did my first century yesterday (solo, unassisted) and forced myself to stop every 20 miles to rehydrate and eat something. I felt a lot better after 100 miles doing it that way than I did after 80 last weekend. Despite getting a flat, it was a great ride through the Adirondack foothills. Today is even prettier, but I have to mow the lawn, split some firewood and maybe catch a quick ride before dark.