Over the long Labor Day weekend, my family took a trip to the coast. I had ridden a Century on July 25 here in western NC which is mountainous. I didn't plan on it that day, just got up to 70+ miles, still felt strong and kept going. I have an acquaintance who says he prefers riding distance here in the hills as it allows for coasting. But that requires climbing too.

So I was anxious to try a "coastal" century on flat land to see how it compares.

Both were solo and unsupported. I made stops and convenience stores to resupply water but carried all the snacks.

I believe I agree with my acquaintance, the flat land century may be more difficult. It is the constant and continuous pedaling with no coasting. My average speed was a bit higher but I started to feel fatigued around 65-70 miles. The good news is, exhaustion took longer, I suppose just because it took less effort to pedal those last 30 miles. Actually I slightly misjudged mileage on my route planning and ended up with 112 miles. The last 10 were as difficult as in the hills but perhaps not as mentally tough as my first one. The long, straight, rural roads were a bit boring and passed through some largely unpopulated areas. Nothing to do but just grind away... mile after mile. Nothing to look forward too around the next bend, there were no "next bend".

So my conclusion? I ended this one with the feeling, "I don't need to do that again anytime soon." But overall, I think I would prefer riding in the hills. I'm not talking about climbing mountains but just being able to experience the variety of going fast, turns, climbs, coasting...as opposed to constant grinding away. Mentally that kind of drained me, to look up and be able to see miles down a road that disappears in the distance.
Also, solo centuries are difficult.

So anyway, there's something to be said for flat land riding but I prefer the hilly, even mountainous region where I live.

I also found myself questioning why we, "me" specifically, ride centuries anyway. Just to say we did? There is no physical benefit, in fact, it takes a lot out of you. Is it a measure of our "prowess" as a cyclist? A sense of pride? do we just have a need to test ourselves or prove something? Is it so we can say, at age 50+ "I can ride a bike 100 miles"? Dunno...

Any thoughts?

First off, congratulations with the 112 and welcome to flat land riding. Awesome job!!!

We get lots of riders wintering down here and they agree that the continuous non stop pedaling is very strenuous. Many say they prefer the hills and mountains because of being able to coast.

We go out for 40+ milers with a couple of traffic lights and shortly after starting we just keep pedaling at 21mph to 28mph, sometimes without our feet ever touching the ground until the end. They are just morning rides with 50's, 60's, 70's and occasionally a 80yo joining in.

My wife and I are now in our 80s and still ride 'in tandem' regularly.
She has ridden over 100 centuries with me on tandems since 1975, including a 3-day 325 -mile event with 22,000 feet of climbing in Arizona.
We no longer do centuries, but still enjoy riding TWOgether!
Congrats!

I ride centuries because they are great training for double-centuries. I prefer the hills and mountains too. Flat land is boring for me . . . but I know not everyone agrees!

So far in 2015 I've ridden 25 centuries but only five doubles. And, at 65, I feel myself slowing down a bit too. That said, I will keep riding them as long as it's still fun.

Rick / OCRR

That gave me a morning chuckle.

Interesting observation. Certainly the mental aspect would play in here. Personally, I'd like it flat with no headwind that last 20mi though hills dont bother me much otherwise. I can put in a 1,000ft on a 50 and not be too bothered.

Congrats on #2 !

Ohhhh, so that's what they are for.

Nice flat ride is enjoyable every now and then... like on rest days... But if I think about it, I actually do enjoy the challenge of a nice hilly ride... seems like the hills break things up, keeps it more interesting... and I think since gravity is not my friend, making even slight climbs challenging, it ultimately makes the ride more rewarding...

Yes, and I have three more doubles scheduled for 2015 so I'd better be ready for them (Knoxville, Bass Lake and Dead of Winter)!

Knoxville Double Century 2014

basslakedouble.com - Home

Dead of Winter Double

Rick / OCRR

A glutton for punishment or a masochist.

I am am doing my first at 58 years old my reason is to say I can do it no matter how young. Showing my grandson that you don't give up on goals in life and getting outside is more fun than you will ever have in front of a TV or video game.

While it takes something out of you, at that time, it helps you become stronger, both physically and mentally. I remember the way Monica looked, in 1981, when she finished her first century. She had hung back with a friend that was contemplating bailing out at 90 miles, Monica talked her through the feeling and they crossed the finish line together, smiling and crying, at the same time. This was when I realized how much a Century meant to a cyclist, mine have all been solo, or with a few friends, so it wasn't any kind of final experience, just the end of a days riding for us. She had the accomplishment of a difficult event to carry her through and to build on.

I have always worked support, and lay out, for the club organized centuries, back in the "old days". I was active in our club as the road captain and a board member so I felt that I needed to be a worker drone bee, and let the others enjoy the day. That is going to be cured here shortly, probably within the next 8 months, depending on the event calendar. I am simply a club member these days, and I want to enjoy some things while I am still able to do so.

Bill

Several people have asked me "why?". I ask myself that same question from about 80 miles on. When I finish I experience a lot of self satisfaction and sense of accomplishment even as I ask, "Why did I do that?" Some think I'm crazy or at least seem to express that with their looks and questions, you can just tell.
The only ones who DON'T question "why" or my sanity are other cyclists, even those who don't ride centuries, never have nor do they want to. My mountain biking buddies kind of shake their heads but at the same time I get a high-five or "atta boy" from them.

Actually I DO know why we/I want to ride a century occasionally, though I cannot articulate it in any reasonable way for people to understand.

That's the right answer for me. Centuries and metric centuries stopped being fun, I started trail running as an alternative. If 'whatever' starts to be a grind it's time to move on.

When I saw the thread title "Second Century" I thought it was about someone still riding after their 100th birthday. Now that would be something to celebrate.

what size crank and cassette is comfortable to do century in flat bike trail never i have do that ride but i have hear in some parts that trail have hills too.

Sadly, I'm finding it very difficult to get motivated enough to complete my second century as a 50+er. I did my first two years ago on an mtb. It was slow, almost 9 hours pedalling and several long stops, and tbh I only enjoyed parts of it and none of the last 25 miles.

I now have a couple of road bikes and, while I love cycling, the thought of spending 7/8 hours in a day on a bike holds no attraction at all. Perhaps it's because I've only ridden for about four weeks this year due to injuries, am feeling a bit low and have probably lost a bit of confidence in my own abilities.

I think I'll just have to devote this winter to getting fit, both on the bike when weather allows and in the gym, and trust that I can get my motivation and fitness back for next spring for riding in the hilly Brecon Beacons and get that second 100 miles in before I'm 70.

Congratulations to all those who manage to knock out century after century.

I tried one this year on my trike.

Quit after 75 miles.

Felt good at that point just bored.