I am 63 years old and ride a lot. Probably too much and a bit tire more than I should. That said I could not imagine today riding a 5 hour century. I have only ever done them solo. Back 10 years ago I did manage one in 19 mph did it in 5:20 minutes no real stops. It was basically pretty flat course here in Illinois. Now I was thinking that wow in 10 years and no I could not imagine going 5 hours for a Century. I am in reasonable shape old marathon runner, I lack real bike handling skills but otherwise pretty steady.

So, my question for this group is if anyone here can ride a 5 hour century. at least near my age. My guess is that there actually will quite a few. My only thing was all mine solo and I am not group rider. If I road with a group but not a paceline, but just others around could I expect more than I think. Right now maybe on a good day with lots of rest before the ride I could go 17.5.

Nah. I'm happy just to finish a century.

I'm 64 and have recently come to the situation where I no longer think I can do a 5 hour solo century. The last time I did one was about 2 years ago.

I'm losing the ability and also probably the mental toughness it takes to sustain the effort over that time frame.

I still do sub-5 hour centuries with groups.

30 years ago we averaged 19mph an a tandem at Chico WF. Rode this way for 20 years until support went to hell.

We could do Davis Double in 10 but it was much flatter.

Now were over 70 and have no desire to ride that far.

I'm 60 and can do a solo century in just over 6 hours... on a really good day. That's just under 16.67 mph... again... on a good day. But I am currently working with a coach to improve my endurance riding. That includes speed and strength.

I'm 64, did a Century in 5:55 last October; surprised that I felt pretty good the next day; not a lot of power in my legs but no real stress from the ride

I’m 60. The last century I can remember doing was in 2009. Over 5,000’ of climbing riding a fully-loaded bike. Needless to say, it took a while.

I rode 5 hour centuries in my 30s but no way in my 70s and I am pretty fit (Typically in the top 5% of my age group on Strava segments). With a group running a pace line it might be possible, but solo, it aint’ happening. I did an 86 miler in May and riding time was 5.5 hours with 3,300’ of climbing, so 6 hours might be possible.

I tend to ride about 200-300 miles a week and my usual ride is actually 50 miles. That would explain some fatigue I deal with but I like to ride miles. Once this year I did the 50 in 17 mph average. What I notice now is I just cannot keep mentally the 100 miles in the mind. For me riding fast is also about focused energy and my ability to focus mentally the task is challenging.

Did 4:48 20.7+/- last fall. 53 years old.

Flat. Rain, some heavy rain, some winds.

1/3 with one person, 1/3 in a paceline, 1/3 solo.

NP was 207w.

I quit trying to ride fast after causing my heart valve to start leaking after I had it replaced in 2016. I had regained the ability to ride 50+ at 20mph - but then I eventually went into A-fib and "five-hour" rides are not on my menu anymore. ( I was 62 at that time)

My impression of your comments leaves me thinking that you want to find a "golden" pace-line or group that will get you through a 100 miles with the least possible strain. (good luck with that) My experience would suggest that you need one or two really strong riders that would concede to your ride abilities and wishes and give you the chance to work or sit up on your behalf as the ride unfolds. Otherwise you may get with a group that will hot-dog flats or ride grades unevenly.

You may be able to get another five hour century but - it is doubtful you will ever see your best result without a strong rider (or riders) thoughtfully pacing you.

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Well, if you're talking about 5 hour centuries in group rides, it's not that hard if there is (a) relatively flat terrain in your area (OP lives in Maryland, so...check) and (b) well-organized groups that know how to ride a steady double pace line. I've done plenty of 5 hour centuries with strong groups. A group of ~20 disciplined and modestly strong riders and it's a piece of cake. Some may take more time on the front, others may not take any, but the group moves along at a steady clip. No surges, no yo-yo-ing.

I was not really a 5 hour century guy at any age, much less post 60. At 51 I did 100 miles around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during Tour de Cure in a tad over 5 iirc. Pre GPS so no data. Perfect conditions, dead flat, no navigation, aero recumbent, not much drafting.

I do see a 5:55 century last year, day 1 of Seattle to Portland. Shamelessly drafted a younger friend all day.

I count 113 rides over 100 miles since 2020, due to randonneuring. None terrible fast

Nah, I never could. I always stop, rest, pee, and refuel about every 3 hours, max. That said, back when I was about the OP's age, I rode STP (a double) at a rolling average of 19.9, though my ET was only a hair under 12 hours. Still, that put me in the first 100 finishers, out of maybe 2000. It was a beautiful day and I had a tailwind the last 30 miles, passed everyone I saw. My MO was ride moderate and grab onto many of the pacelines that passed me, adding 1-2 mph to my solo pace was about perfect, then turn up the heat toward the end if I had the strength. Good tactics can substitute for talent and youth.

Your time on that century will vary greatly between a solo century or a century you did with a group of others that are comparable to your cycling level. So that 5 hour solo century might be less than 4 hours if you are in a decent paceline.

I only pay attention to the moving time. IMO, all the rest stops should be neutralized. Much more civilized.

I've never done a double, but the last time I did Climb to Kaiser (155 mi, 14,000'), my moving pace was 17.5 mph. For a hot and hilly ride, I figure that's fast enough.

Nowadays, I start to get bored at about ~4 hours, so centuries are out.

155mi with 14,ooo ft of climbing @ 17.5mph is awesome. Really nice effort.

Agree, but aw, it doesn't get interesting until after the 10th hour. A well-planned brevet will include an 18% climb late in the ride. Not boring at all. Different strokes. Some of my fondest memories were at over a 100 miles into a ride. It's the joy of overcoming and overperforming at what one had thought was one's limit. The biggest advantage an older rider has is endurance. Those young-uns haven't suffered enough yet, don't know how to deal with it. I remember the pain and then the not-quitting on my first 300k, late in the ride after a steep hilly section. I stopped and then thought, "Screw it, I'm riding" and went on.

My moving pace on 150 mile rides like that was only 16. You'd place very well on a brevet. Rider times are published and public, a little added encouragement. It is fun coming in early, hanging out and watching the riders come in while you eat your pizza. Just a little plug for the Dark Side.

My second ever 600 was a disaster. Whilst I was an early finisher on the 400 a month earlier, a combination of wrong turns and flats resulted in me coming into the overnight on that same 400 loop well after midnight. I crashed on day 2, front end slid out on a fast curve resulting in a shredded elbow. Also whacked my head, resulting in some more confused bonus miles before the turnaround. I was subsequently late at the turnaround, but being an info control not actually timed. I considered myself out of time, so I got to a place where there was a shortcut and I took it back towards the start. Or so I thought - actually I went the wrong direction away from the start. Five miles later, realizing my mistake, I turned around and returned. At which point I used all my old man stubbornness and rode the stupid hilly route to the finish. 39:31. And with that I was qualified for PBP and the real nonsense began.

To each their own. I love me a century - fast or slow - and I once desired to try longer distances, joining the local Rando club, and also thought that I'd do yet more after I retire. But I just cant sit in the saddle that long without something really starting to hurt. I do an annual ride from Minneapolis to Duluth with a large group of friends. it's 165 miles. Otherwise I seldom go over 100 and change.

two thumbs up - that was a heckuva ride !

I used to ride a solo century every year since about 1987 (never, ever sub-5 hrs or even 6). It seemed more a cycling obligation than a joy. Upon turning 62, I decided all my future centuries, would be metric. About 2 hours at a time in the saddle is all I find enjoyable, then break, then ride again.

Most of them were: Santa Cruz to Monterey, CA and return = 100.01 miles, about as flat as one can ride in coastal California.

I did a century yesterday with a group of about 8 friends. Flatish route at a good clip and a disciplined double pace line I spent much of the time in front. 5:15. Much easier than some of the rides you guys are posting about with tons of climbing.
On the subject of which, while I was doing that easy century, a bunch of friends (or rather, people I follow on Strava) were doing the Triple Bypass. Now that's a tough ride.

The last organized century, Foxy's Fall Century, I completed was in 5:24:29, moving, and 6:09:11 total. That was almost 10 years ago. The most recent century I did was in 2021 on a simulation of the same course using RGT. I completed that in 5:43:30 moving and 5:59:21 total, using the time-trial mode. I just restarted after being out for the last two years and hope to finish the same route under 6 hours total this year. I was hoping to do it last year when I crossed 55, but I will be happy if I can do it at 56.

what is the triple bypass? i could google it but sure i'd get something related hearts.

maybe doing that ride requires a triple bypass at the end?