I finished a Century!!!
08-27-06 | 05:21 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Let's do a Century
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 883
From: North Carolina
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
I finished a Century!!!
After last weekend's debacle of cutting a mountain century short and being "brutalized", I managed to finish the Hilly Hellacious Hundred in the mountains of NC today. It was not one of my best times but I could feel the legs coming back and the climbing is getting better. I think I finished in around 6 hrs 20 mins which for all the climbing this ride had was about average for me.
I was very strong the first 65+ miles (pulling groups up hills and the like) but then cramps started setting in big time so I backed off and "soft pedaled" most of the last 35 miles. I stopped at a rest stop at 65 miles and as I was stopping my left hamstring cramped up and I almost didn't get stopped!! It took a little while to figure out how to even get off my darn bike!!!
Hydrating well before and during a rode sure makes a difference, doesn't it? I drank more fluids late this week to the point I was hitting the toilet about every hour. I've just got to get better at watching my clock and drinking every 15 mins while riding. It was cool to start with today and I just didn't drink enough the first 3 hours and paid for it later.......
You would think that after 5 years of riding I'd know better, wouldn't you??
This cycling stuff is so fickle. Last week I was so discouraged and frustrated. The first 65+ miles today I was having a blast and enjoying the heck out of it. No need to worry about what lies ahead......probably just more "fickle"!!
I was very strong the first 65+ miles (pulling groups up hills and the like) but then cramps started setting in big time so I backed off and "soft pedaled" most of the last 35 miles. I stopped at a rest stop at 65 miles and as I was stopping my left hamstring cramped up and I almost didn't get stopped!! It took a little while to figure out how to even get off my darn bike!!!
Hydrating well before and during a rode sure makes a difference, doesn't it? I drank more fluids late this week to the point I was hitting the toilet about every hour. I've just got to get better at watching my clock and drinking every 15 mins while riding. It was cool to start with today and I just didn't drink enough the first 3 hours and paid for it later.......
You would think that after 5 years of riding I'd know better, wouldn't you??
This cycling stuff is so fickle. Last week I was so discouraged and frustrated. The first 65+ miles today I was having a blast and enjoying the heck out of it. No need to worry about what lies ahead......probably just more "fickle"!!
08-27-06 | 05:30 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,023
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jppe.....I always enjoy the way you "toss off" some real riding accomplishments. Now, go toss off some more of those blackberries!
Fickleness ... +1. So many times I've been ready to turn for home but decided to go a few more miles...and suddenly all was clicking. Of course, sometimes things just go clunk, too. The mystery of it all keeps us young and guessing.
Fickleness ... +1. So many times I've been ready to turn for home but decided to go a few more miles...and suddenly all was clicking. Of course, sometimes things just go clunk, too. The mystery of it all keeps us young and guessing.
08-27-06 | 05:45 PM
#3
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 287
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From: paradise
Bikes: Waterford, Orbea, Giant
jppe, yeah, I've noticed that as I get older, my system is more "fickle" in that I'm less tolerant to food, water, salt, etc. being off. Long ago, I'd just hop on my bike with some water (maybe) and if I was being particularly anal I might also bring along a banana. And I'd ride all day. Not so these days. 
I've been trying out (at the suggestion of some of my riding buds) these Endurolyte capsules and in the warm weather they do seem to help. I just hope I dont get drug tested at the end of one of these rides!
I've been trying out (at the suggestion of some of my riding buds) these Endurolyte capsules and in the warm weather they do seem to help. I just hope I dont get drug tested at the end of one of these rides!
08-27-06 | 07:08 PM
#5
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: North Carolina Piedmont
Bikes: 1984 Peugeot P8; 2006 Trek 5200
Way to go jppe - Of course the first 65 miles are always the easiest. lol
I do believe you have more than earned some blackberry cobbler !!
I have never had leg cramps, or any cramps for that matter, based upon descriptions from others I feel very lucky.
I do believe you have more than earned some blackberry cobbler !!
I have never had leg cramps, or any cramps for that matter, based upon descriptions from others I feel very lucky.
08-27-06 | 07:58 PM
#6
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 233
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From: Chilliwack, BC
Bikes: Trek 2000, Catrike, Gitane tandem, no-name mountain bike
Congratulations on completing a century.
Having done many myself (I am 64), I have found them to be a good training for longer distances.
Your next task is to complete a Super Series of Randonneuring Brevets (i.e., 200 km, 300, 400, and 600 km).
Perhaps you will be among the 5000 riders of the Paris-Brest-Paris (1200 km) in 2007.
That is the ultimate ride of long distance riders.
Cheers ... you've made a good start.
Having done many myself (I am 64), I have found them to be a good training for longer distances.
Your next task is to complete a Super Series of Randonneuring Brevets (i.e., 200 km, 300, 400, and 600 km).
Perhaps you will be among the 5000 riders of the Paris-Brest-Paris (1200 km) in 2007.
That is the ultimate ride of long distance riders.
Cheers ... you've made a good start.
08-27-06 | 08:05 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Let's do a Century
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 883
From: North Carolina
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
Originally Posted by Cadillac
Congratulations on completing a century.
Having done many myself (I am 64), I have found them to be a good training for longer distances.
Your next task is to complete a Super Series of Randonneuring Brevets (i.e., 200 km, 300, 400, and 600 km).
Perhaps you will be among the 5000 riders of the Paris-Brest-Paris (1200 km) in 2007.
That is the ultimate ride of long distance riders.
Cheers ... you've made a good start.
Having done many myself (I am 64), I have found them to be a good training for longer distances.
Your next task is to complete a Super Series of Randonneuring Brevets (i.e., 200 km, 300, 400, and 600 km).
Perhaps you will be among the 5000 riders of the Paris-Brest-Paris (1200 km) in 2007.
That is the ultimate ride of long distance riders.
Cheers ... you've made a good start.
A good cycling friend of mine from Salisbury, NC does the Brevets all across eastern US. In fact I think he's doing really well in his category-he might even be leading. He keeps pushing me to get out and do one of these things but geez, that just seems pretty mind boggling to me. That has yet to go on my list of cycling things to do but who knows.........
08-27-06 | 08:43 PM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 233
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From: Chilliwack, BC
Bikes: Trek 2000, Catrike, Gitane tandem, no-name mountain bike
The interesting thing about brevets is that everyone who completes the ride is a winner.
It doesn't matter (on a 1200km ride which has a time-limit of 90 hr) whether you finish in 50 hours or the full 90 hours.
Ken Bonner, for instance, who is 64 or 65 (I think), has completed many 1200 km rides. His most recent was from Boston to Montreal and back to Boston (BMB) and he did it in 59 hr, 49 min.
Others in their 70's have completed the PBP 1200 km
The advantage of being older is that the quick twitch muscles (so essential for fast sprints) is no longer active; but the endurance factor is increased.
It doesn't matter (on a 1200km ride which has a time-limit of 90 hr) whether you finish in 50 hours or the full 90 hours.
Ken Bonner, for instance, who is 64 or 65 (I think), has completed many 1200 km rides. His most recent was from Boston to Montreal and back to Boston (BMB) and he did it in 59 hr, 49 min.
Others in their 70's have completed the PBP 1200 km
The advantage of being older is that the quick twitch muscles (so essential for fast sprints) is no longer active; but the endurance factor is increased.
