Originally Posted by
barturtle
Welcome to the joy of cycling.
First, locate a good club in your area. A good club will have a variety of ride lengths and speeds to allow yourself to grow as a cyclist.
As you ride more (which you'll really need to do, if you want to actually enjoy riding 100 miles) figure out and solve any fit problems to make sure you are as comfortable as possibly. Just because something feels good at 25 miles, doesn't meant it will feel as good at 50 or 75 or 100 miles.
Gradually increase distance. work your way up riding gradually longer routes until you are comfortable at that distance (hell ride it until you think it's a nobrainer before increasing again)
Take a good bicycle mechanics class, as this will allow you to deal with any issues that may occur unexpectedly on the road.
As you ride, pay attention to your food and hydration needs. Learn how much you need and how often, and make sure you have access to it, either by carrying it or having places to stop to acquire it.
Good advice. I'll echo one. Pay attention, if it bothers at 25 miles, it will hurt at 50 and may end yuor ride before 100.
One thing that can be nice when increasing distance is to have done part of the ride before. Few things are worse than being spent on a course you have never been on. Spent and on 10 miles you have done many times, well you know you can do it.
Speaking as a big guy, also remember climbing is a consideration. Be sure you can handle the verticle on whatever century you want to do. I did not do an organized century until I had doen an organized double (unless you count a 160 mile clube ride 2 weeks before the double as an organized century). The thing is it was not the miles that got to me, it was the verticle feet. Some centruies are pretty flat, others are climbing hell. Be ready for the one you will be doing.
Oh and the reason I wrote this post. DO NOT do anything new on the century. This is no tthe time to try that new energy drink or food, or the new saddle or shoes. I'm not saying to avoid what the organizers provide, that is taking things too far, especially as some centruies have some very nice food. But remember if you have the big lunch with the great cake start out from lunch easy.