Tried to do my first metric century yesterday. The plan was to ride 70km to my old hometown, then 30km out to the local lake and back. But by the time I had done the 70, my legs were done. Hopefully I will be fitter/stronger/lighter next time I try and I can make it.

https://app.strava.com/activities/48253137

The other road users were really nice and left heaps of room when overtaking. I have two flats. I think next time I will take some co2 as well as a pump.

All up it took me 4 hours at 17km/h.







I was going to go around this corner so much faster than 90kph but since I saw this sign I slowed down.

You didn't fail! You succeeded in learning your current limit and setting a goal to accomplish in the future! Well done.

Failure is sitting at home on the couch eating ice cream....THINKING about trying a ride that will stretch your limits.

DFL > DNF > DNS

(Silly no-all caps rule)

You only fail if you don't get back on and try again.

That's a long freakin' ride on an MTB.

With the advantages of a roadie, higher pressure tires, no energy zapping front suspension, more efficient body position, you'd easily do 70 miles with that same effort!

That's not a fail, that's a "not using the same equipment" as the rest of us issue.

Congratulations on your success, for that's what it is.

Good work! Getting on the bike and going for all you're worth is admirable, no matter what the final numbers are...

70 klicks on a Mountain Bike? That's a win!

See the first issue is you were riding on the wrong side of the road..... I kid, I kid.

Congrats on your accomplishment, like everyone has said, you did something. Since you know where you're currently at you know what you need to improve in to succeed the next time. Or get closer to your goal! Carry on!

Congratulations on your 70k ride! It looks like it was a beautiful day for it! I agree with Beanz...on a mtb that is a tough ride!

I agree with the others who said it...that is a fantastic accomplishment on a mountain bike. I have three bikes: mountain, hybrid and road. I would never dream of riding my mountain bike that far. I won't ride my hybrid that far either...it just isn't comfortable for that long of a ride.

KUDOS on a truly job well done!

215 watts average power for 4 hours! That's about what I produce on rides that average 30kph on my road bike.

I have lots of goals, I don't usually achieve them on my first try, or they wouldn't be worth setting as a goal. I haven't failed to achieve the goal until I quit trying.

Sounds to me, like you have a decent goal. You've even identified you objectives towards success: fitness (cardio), strength, weight loss.

Good Effort and nice pics.

Absolutely! You didn't 'fail', no way, no how.

But, I have to ask...

Your Strava data shows that you only 'rested' for 18 seconds on the four hour ride. If that is indeed accurate, then it is quite an accomplishment, what you did. Forty-five mile without stopping? No wonder your legs didn't want to go further. Well done.

Ha ha, didn't realize it was Australia at first. I was thinking ,"DUDE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD!!!"

You did 70K on that tank? That's a win in my book! I'm amazed at the fact that you set out to do a 100K on a mountain bike. The first 10K I did on my mountain bike damn near destroyed me.

That is no failure my friend, that is an accomplishment and the new goal to exceed. As said, it is only a failure if you do not try again. 70 km on a mountain bike is awesome and admirable, you should be proud.
Pirk

I think I stopped four times. My gps auto pauses when I stop. I think my stops were about 15min, 10 min for a tire change, 15 min for second tire change, then a 10 min break.

Thanks for the encouragement and kind words everyone!

The key word here is, "TRIED," and that's all that matters.

I agree: WIN! WIN! WIN!
The loser was the guy sitting on the couch working on his heart attack. Now you have a goal. Keep doing your regular rides and maybe challenge yourself just a little bit then try it again in a couple of weeks.

By the way, you are way tougher than me....longest I ever did on a MB was 25 miles, what's that, about 40k? Took me 3 hours to finish and two days to recover.

Cool deal, Congrats! Win I say.

Definitely a huge win if you ask me. I will be trying one this summer as well. Even if I don't make it, it will still be a win. I agree with others that if you don't try again then it is a failure.
great job.
congrats

Dang, nice job!

Reward yourself by getting a road bike, or at least road tires. You will be amazed.

Wait a minute here, i'm much lighter than you TC, have slicks and bike shorts, did you have the shorts? I'm going to swap out the fork, but the most I've done is about 70km as well, DOH!!
The kicker is i've been riding for over a year and never really pushed myself! That's really impressive with knobbies i have to say.
The thing is you start to get zapped and think you have nothing left, with water and food you can catch a second wind.(It's weird how that happens about 3-4 hours into a ride)
I'm going to try my metric really soon.
With a roadie you would have made it for sure