a day on the bike
 

Did my first (and probably last) english century today. On my '89 waterford paramount so it's c&v related I guess! 100.8 miles, 15.4 ave. speed, 6.5 hours on the bike, 8 hours total ( I stopped at 3 convenience stores, 1 county park bldg., 1 coffee shop, plus a couple of pit stops).
The route I choose was fairly flat and rural for the first half, and pretty hilly for the second half. My right quad started to cramp at about ~85 miles, I sorta limped back home after that. I'm glad it's over and right now I don't want to do anything bike related, except watch the tour of course!

Why is this probably your last? Sounds like a pretty good first century.

We'll see, but the way I feel right now I think I'm going to stick to metric centuries or less for a while.

That's exactly the way I conduct my centuries (and other long rides): 'frequent stops'. You'll be up for another in no time. Good luck, and good on you!

Congrats on the ride!
Maybe you'll change your mind on 100+ milers tomorrow. In my experience, immediately following a hard ride, triathlon, run, etc. is not the best time to decide if you want to do it again.

I did my first century about one year ago as part of a club event. I didn't ride for about a week after that. I've done a metric century since but not an English one.

And, here I am considering doing the 100 miler again this next weekend. If I do, I'll start earlier and take more frequent breaks.

Congratulations. I have always found that charity ride centuries are more fun than solos. I suggest you give that a try in the Fall before you retire from long distance rides.
BTW, I believe England has adopted the metric system. The proper term is Imperial Century, or since you are in America, just "Century" will suffice.

ah, thanks for the info! If I do another I think it will be flatter.

For me, doing a century is impossible without stops and a few good riding partners.

Solo, I loose interest at about 60, and by 75-80 I really want to be off the bike.

I didn't mind being on the bike pretty much the whole way, but I was concerned that my quad cramping might leave me stranded roadside, and in a confused state due to attrition etc.

Centuries...yeah. At my age, you travel with potassium for the cramps (nanners) and protein for the recovery.

I'm not sure what caused them, I had plenty of electrolyte fluids and pills, plus I drank 2 v8s en route for additional sodium. I'll take a banana next long ride though.

+1. The mind is oddly flexible in this regard. Soon you will only remember the accomplishment, and the prodigious speed, and the highlights like the time a pair of goldfinches was flying along side you or something like that. The pain is soon forgotten, and you'll want to do it again.

When I plan a tour, I always figure on 100 miles per day. When I actually tour, I think, what the ^&* was I thinking?