cb400bill

Seeing how I hang out on here at C&V more than anywhere else, I thought that I would share with you guys and gals that today I did my first ever "Century Ride".

My local bike club does an annual event and I had done the "Metric Century" last year and decided to go for the full 100 miles this time. I did the first half of the ride as part of a group from my Monday night ride and the second half I did solo. The others in the group were doing the Metric Century.

I averaged a 4:16 per mile rate over the entire somewhat hilly and breezy course.

100 miles is a long way on a bike.

Reynolds 

Well done. Congrats!

Old Fat Guy

Congrats, it was a bit breezy today in MI. I did a solo 60, over a bumpy, hilly course.

It was a gorgeous day, though, apart from the wind, which seems to blow in my face no matter which direction I ride!

CardiacKid

Great job. Next time try it on a C&V bike. I did my second century on a 1989 Pinarello and am planning to do the next one on my 1974 Hetchins. Unfortunately, injuries have delayed those plans.
I got a lot of positive feedback from the other participants about the Pinarello.

Fast Cloud

Isn't that the truth...I swear sometimes the wind is having good sport with me.

Congrats to the op...You're a braver man than I. I'll bet you were worn out after that.

Pompiere

I did my first and so far only century on a 1984 Miyata, but it was when the bike was only 2 years old. Does it still count as a C&V ride?

John E

I have the question, having done the Los Angeles Wheelmen double in June 1972, 15 months after buying my Nishiki. Of course, if I were to do a century today, it would be on a vintage bike -- I keep thinking Capo #1 would be ideal for a similar long ride, with flats and rolling hills, but no steep climbs.

muccapazza

What did he do it on, I didn't see where he mentioned the bike? I'm hoping to do my first in late august. I went on a metric century group ride yesterday on my '84 Bianchi Limited. Rode great and think I bent the B-17 to mein will! stopped for a little break on the way back as the sag wagon was helping another rider with a flat. It left anf not 100 yards done the road I got a "punc-cha". Good thing my brother was there with a presta pump as the pump I grabbed before we left was set up for a schrader valve. And I was mildly rebuked for not having a helmet. I usually don't wear one but I brought it along because i figured there would be some legal rule, but my brother who always wears a helmet forgot his, so I loaned it to him. Anyway it was a pretty day and I learned some useful lessons about organization. How much harder is the Imperial century? Any training tips for success? For me that extra 38 miles would probably mean another 2 and a half to three hours.

RobbieTunes

Yep, it is, and you have time to sightsee, suffer, be consistent, lose confidence, gain confidence, talk with people, and just generally spend a good day out there. Not an easy day, but a good day. And you really get to know your bike. Congratulations on a "marker" ride.

RobbieTunes

IMHO, a metric century feel like less than half of a full 100-miler. When I hit the halfway point on a metric century (provided I don't get lost and add miles), I feel pretty good and the second half feels fine.

To me, the "halfway" point on a 100-miler is about 65-70 miles in. You're no longer fresh, you've already been tired, got a second wind, have needed and taken liquids and food, and you still have 30 miles to go. My touring friends take it in stride, I have yet to feel that way.

As someone who's run many marathons, a 50-miler, and an 80-miler, give me the ride any day. Those runners are nuts.

cb400bill

I did the Century on my Cannondale Synapse Alloy. It is simply a great bike.


I saw places in the area I'd never seen before. And I rode on roads I didn't even know existed. You are quite correct on the confidence end, too. It really ebbs and flows throughout the day.

Oh man, you hit the nail on the head. We had various SAG stations along the way but at the 67 mile point I was really starting to feel it. I had to grind out those last 35 miles.

I almost forgot to add that I did see a couple of C&V bikes out on the road today. One was a semi-modernized blue Trek from the mid 80's that was all Dura-Ace equipped. The other was a green Masi Gran Criterium. Very nice bikes.

Ex Pres 

Congrats, I've only done a few myself, the last couple on my Guerciotti, albeit updated with 8s Ergo. I find the wall at about ~75 miles/4 hours saddle time. Particularly pitiful for those last 15. Hopefully that will change.

CardiacKid

I generally think of a Metric as being a fun ride. The last 38 miles can be painful, depending on the conditions. But that is what makes it rewarding. If it was easy, onyone could do it.

screaminDOHC

Great job! I did the MS150 (75 per day) in Mid Michigan..I decided to NOT take the century route...

Kudos to you!!!!!!!!!!!

nlerner

I haven't ridden a century in a long while and hope to later this summer, but I have been doing 60 mile/100K rides pretty regularly, including one with no stops (when I got hungry, I ate while on the bike). That kind of regular riding makes my 30-mile route feel like a snack. That's a good thing.

Neal

Bam42685

Congratulations on the ride. The longest I've been so far was 87 miles from where I live in Kalamazoo to South Haven and back. The last 10 miles just about killed me. It was a ton of fun though.

cb400bill

It's down hill from KZ to SH. But it is uphill coming home.