Tell me about your century, including plans and wishful thinking
#51
Uber Goober
My Century:
Five of us started at 5:00 AM at Willow Park, out on the west side of Fort Worth. We rode down to Cleburne, stopped for supplies, then continued on to Glen Rose. Then it was off to Iredell, then on down to Clifton. Our stop at Clifton was a combination Burger King/ convenience store.
Here's my hamburger. It was GOOD. This was at the 115 mile mark, by the way.
Charlie and Gary eating at Clifton.
Sharon caught some quick zzzs while the rest of us ate.
Then our route looped back up to Iredell again. We made a stop at Cranfills Gap for water on the way. Here's Charlie, Sharon, Gary, and Vickie at Iredell.
From there, it was a quick jaunt over to Hico, then we rode on up to Bluffdale. Here's the whole gang at Bluffdale, this was 186 miles or so.
From Bluffdale, we rode on to Lipan, got there about 9:30 at night. The reason we started at 5:00 AM was specifically so we could get to the store before it closed at 11:00, so all was well. Then on to Weatherford and ended up back in Willow Park about 1:55 AM with 249.8 miles.
Five of us started at 5:00 AM at Willow Park, out on the west side of Fort Worth. We rode down to Cleburne, stopped for supplies, then continued on to Glen Rose. Then it was off to Iredell, then on down to Clifton. Our stop at Clifton was a combination Burger King/ convenience store.
Here's my hamburger. It was GOOD. This was at the 115 mile mark, by the way.
Charlie and Gary eating at Clifton.
Sharon caught some quick zzzs while the rest of us ate.
Then our route looped back up to Iredell again. We made a stop at Cranfills Gap for water on the way. Here's Charlie, Sharon, Gary, and Vickie at Iredell.
From there, it was a quick jaunt over to Hico, then we rode on up to Bluffdale. Here's the whole gang at Bluffdale, this was 186 miles or so.
From Bluffdale, we rode on to Lipan, got there about 9:30 at night. The reason we started at 5:00 AM was specifically so we could get to the store before it closed at 11:00, so all was well. Then on to Weatherford and ended up back in Willow Park about 1:55 AM with 249.8 miles.
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"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
#52
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So I rode 113 very flat miles yesterday.
I started at Avoca Park at the south end of the Little Miami River Trail:
This trail is board flat and the weather was perfect, so there wasn't much suffering to be had. There was a major race going on at Loveland and I had to be careful not to get in the racers way, although they didn't appear to be taking things too seriously.
I went through beautiful downtown Xenia:
The above is Xenia Landing, built to accommodate cycling visitors.
I slogged my way through Yellow Springs.
There was a street fair in Yellow Springs and it was a mess. Thousands of people on the trail made travel very slow.
So I made it to Springfield, turned around, and had to go mano a mano through Yellow Springs again.
It gave me a chance to go through beautiful Xenia again:
The Dayton spur took me past a drag strip. It made an airport seem serene. I wish I'd snapped a picture or two of it.
I ended up along the Mad River Trail in Dayton:
Unfortunately I ran out of trail and energy, but if packed blinkies, strobes and one packet of Gu that made the trip on the Dayton city streets safe enough.
I payed strict attention to my nutrition. I had one milkshake, two Cokes, three tacos and the above mentioned Gu. It doesn't need to be more complicated than that.
Today I'm tired but not sore. And there's a club century coming up in two weeks. I may be dumb enough to try it.
Thats it.
I started at Avoca Park at the south end of the Little Miami River Trail:
This trail is board flat and the weather was perfect, so there wasn't much suffering to be had. There was a major race going on at Loveland and I had to be careful not to get in the racers way, although they didn't appear to be taking things too seriously.
I went through beautiful downtown Xenia:
The above is Xenia Landing, built to accommodate cycling visitors.
I slogged my way through Yellow Springs.
There was a street fair in Yellow Springs and it was a mess. Thousands of people on the trail made travel very slow.
So I made it to Springfield, turned around, and had to go mano a mano through Yellow Springs again.
It gave me a chance to go through beautiful Xenia again:
The Dayton spur took me past a drag strip. It made an airport seem serene. I wish I'd snapped a picture or two of it.
I ended up along the Mad River Trail in Dayton:
Unfortunately I ran out of trail and energy, but if packed blinkies, strobes and one packet of Gu that made the trip on the Dayton city streets safe enough.
I payed strict attention to my nutrition. I had one milkshake, two Cokes, three tacos and the above mentioned Gu. It doesn't need to be more complicated than that.
Today I'm tired but not sore. And there's a club century coming up in two weeks. I may be dumb enough to try it.
Thats it.
I live in the working side of Oakwood. When I ride 100, I start out in Oakwood, ride to UD on the path behind Carmel's, to the river downtown and then out to London and back. Once past Cedar Springs, the ride gets a little ordinary. I like your route better.
I may try the fishing/cycling Century. Just pack a collapsible pole and a small tackle box.
The Dayton area is perfect for that!
Last edited by jjames1452; 06-17-14 at 04:09 AM. Reason: addition
#53
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Good Lord! Why didn't you just go another 0.2 miles and call it 2 and half centuries on one ride? That's impressive!!
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#54
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My Century:
Five of us started at 5:00 AM at Willow Park, out on the west side of Fort Worth. We rode down to Cleburne, stopped for supplies, then continued on to Glen Rose. Then it was off to Iredell, then on down to Clifton. Our stop at Clifton was a combination Burger King/ convenience store.
Here's my hamburger. It was GOOD. This was at the 115 mile mark, by the way.
Charlie and Gary eating at Clifton.
Sharon caught some quick zzzs while the rest of us ate.
Then our route looped back up to Iredell again. We made a stop at Cranfills Gap for water on the way. Here's Charlie, Sharon, Gary, and Vickie at Iredell.
From there, it was a quick jaunt over to Hico, then we rode on up to Bluffdale. Here's the whole gang at Bluffdale, this was 186 miles or so.
From Bluffdale, we rode on to Lipan, got there about 9:30 at night. The reason we started at 5:00 AM was specifically so we could get to the store before it closed at 11:00, so all was well. Then on to Weatherford and ended up back in Willow Park about 1:55 AM with 249.8 miles.
Five of us started at 5:00 AM at Willow Park, out on the west side of Fort Worth. We rode down to Cleburne, stopped for supplies, then continued on to Glen Rose. Then it was off to Iredell, then on down to Clifton. Our stop at Clifton was a combination Burger King/ convenience store.
Here's my hamburger. It was GOOD. This was at the 115 mile mark, by the way.
Charlie and Gary eating at Clifton.
Sharon caught some quick zzzs while the rest of us ate.
Then our route looped back up to Iredell again. We made a stop at Cranfills Gap for water on the way. Here's Charlie, Sharon, Gary, and Vickie at Iredell.
From there, it was a quick jaunt over to Hico, then we rode on up to Bluffdale. Here's the whole gang at Bluffdale, this was 186 miles or so.
From Bluffdale, we rode on to Lipan, got there about 9:30 at night. The reason we started at 5:00 AM was specifically so we could get to the store before it closed at 11:00, so all was well. Then on to Weatherford and ended up back in Willow Park about 1:55 AM with 249.8 miles.
#55
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I'm more than impressed by all the double century riders I've seen posting in here in the 50+ forum. I've never even done so much as a double metric. I wouldn't even have a clue as to what kind of pace to try and hold on a full double.
Much humble admiration.
#56
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I like your style StephenH ... burgers are great road food.
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#57
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5am is ridiculously early for a bike ride.
Me? I'm still climbing the ladder. Hoping to knock off a 70 this Saturday.
Me? I'm still climbing the ladder. Hoping to knock off a 70 this Saturday.
#59
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My Century:
Five of us started at 5:00 AM at Willow Park, out on the west side of Fort Worth. We rode down to Cleburne, stopped for supplies, then continued on to Glen Rose. Then it was off to Iredell, then on down to Clifton. Our stop at Clifton was a combination Burger King/ convenience store.
Here's my hamburger. It was GOOD. This was at the 115 mile mark, by the way.
Charlie and Gary eating at Clifton.
Sharon caught some quick zzzs while the rest of us ate.
Then our route looped back up to Iredell again. We made a stop at Cranfills Gap for water on the way. Here's Charlie, Sharon, Gary, and Vickie at Iredell.
From there, it was a quick jaunt over to Hico, then we rode on up to Bluffdale. Here's the whole gang at Bluffdale, this was 186 miles or so.
9.8
From Bluffdale, we rode on to Lipan, got there about 9:30 at night. The reason we started at 5:00 AM was specifically so we could get to the store before it closed at 11:00, so all was well. Then on to Weatherford and ended up back in Willow Park about 1:55 AM with 249.8 miles.
Five of us started at 5:00 AM at Willow Park, out on the west side of Fort Worth. We rode down to Cleburne, stopped for supplies, then continued on to Glen Rose. Then it was off to Iredell, then on down to Clifton. Our stop at Clifton was a combination Burger King/ convenience store.
Here's my hamburger. It was GOOD. This was at the 115 mile mark, by the way.
Charlie and Gary eating at Clifton.
Sharon caught some quick zzzs while the rest of us ate.
Then our route looped back up to Iredell again. We made a stop at Cranfills Gap for water on the way. Here's Charlie, Sharon, Gary, and Vickie at Iredell.
From there, it was a quick jaunt over to Hico, then we rode on up to Bluffdale. Here's the whole gang at Bluffdale, this was 186 miles or so.
9.8
From Bluffdale, we rode on to Lipan, got there about 9:30 at night. The reason we started at 5:00 AM was specifically so we could get to the store before it closed at 11:00, so all was well. Then on to Weatherford and ended up back in Willow Park about 1:55 AM with 249.8 miles.
#60
Uber Goober
I didn't intentionally take time off, but had other things to do Sunday and worked late Monday, so just tonight got back on the bike. I don't think Sharon rode Sunday, so it'll probably be Saturday before she rides again; she'll likely do a spin class or something in the meantime. Don't know about the others. But we've all done 600k and longer rides, where you'll ride 220-250 miles the first day, take 5 hours off the bike if things work out right, then go ride another 150 or 200 miles. Gary's got the most RUSA miles of anyone, Sharon leads the women in RUSA miles, Vickie's racking up 1200k's, so they've been around the block a few times. Sharon rode the tandem with me on this ride.
__________________
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
#61
Senior Member
Our Grand Tour training ride Saturday was almost a century (96.1 miles). We did have a fair amount of climbing, 1759 ft. It replaced our usual GT training ride from Flagstaff to Clints Well, which has less climbing but the altitude is higher
Clints Well
Bike Ride Profile | Bull Shifter Clints Well ride near Flagstaff | Times and Records | Strava
Our version of the Skull Vall
Bike Ride Profile | Bull Shifter Grand Tour Training Ride near Congress | Times and Records | Strava
I cant say I have ever ridden an unplanned century. I have ridden several on my own, in which part were with the club ride then I rode more miles to make it to 90 or 100+
Clints Well
Bike Ride Profile | Bull Shifter Clints Well ride near Flagstaff | Times and Records | Strava
Our version of the Skull Vall
Bike Ride Profile | Bull Shifter Grand Tour Training Ride near Congress | Times and Records | Strava
I cant say I have ever ridden an unplanned century. I have ridden several on my own, in which part were with the club ride then I rode more miles to make it to 90 or 100+
#62
Senior Member
I'm a bit young to post in this forum (48), but then it's not the year, its the mileage...
I've got 2 in this year so far.
First one was a 200k Brevet. I figured I wouldn't make the finish time. I am ecstatic completing the miles, with about 7700 ft of climb! I did ensure I was equipped to be self supported and well lit so pack was a bit heavy. It was fun, and the randoneur people are marvelous!
Second 2 weeks ago., took a day off to "set my soul free". Set out for a century with route only roughly thought through. This was also fun. Most of the ride was discovering new riding territory. Got lost a lot. Only part that wasn't fun was the getting lost in a downpour going up and down hills only to make it back to where I first got lost...
Both were at paces that most would likely not post. First half of 200k, 11.7 (moving averages per Garmin 500 with default settings) for 4003 feet. The second half 11.1 for 3763 feet. The solo century was at 11.5 and 3087 ft.
So all in all year's off to a good start!
I've got 2 in this year so far.
First one was a 200k Brevet. I figured I wouldn't make the finish time. I am ecstatic completing the miles, with about 7700 ft of climb! I did ensure I was equipped to be self supported and well lit so pack was a bit heavy. It was fun, and the randoneur people are marvelous!
Second 2 weeks ago., took a day off to "set my soul free". Set out for a century with route only roughly thought through. This was also fun. Most of the ride was discovering new riding territory. Got lost a lot. Only part that wasn't fun was the getting lost in a downpour going up and down hills only to make it back to where I first got lost...
Both were at paces that most would likely not post. First half of 200k, 11.7 (moving averages per Garmin 500 with default settings) for 4003 feet. The second half 11.1 for 3763 feet. The solo century was at 11.5 and 3087 ft.
So all in all year's off to a good start!
#63
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My wife and I have friends who retired to "Prescut". I did manage to take my bike on one visit up there, but was beset by a flat on unloading the bike, and a missing inflator (found it laying on the driveway when we got home). By the time one of the fine LBS's opened and I got it squared away, I was only able to get in a pathetic ten miles before having to return and be "sociable". Having driven up there a few times, I have "caged it" over all of that Prescott/Congress loop, and it looks like a fine ride.
#64
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Have always wanted to do a century. But so far it is just wishful thinking. Late Oct to late April would be the best time here. Maybe.
#65
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I ride a century every weekend...well a metric century.
I rode my first century (100 miler) in 1989. Since then I try to ride at least one, maybe more, organized century rides per year.
This year that goal will include the MS Coastal Challenge from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara.
BTW, for those of us who might be tempted to think that we are badasses because we ride a century, consider this.
Last year, One of my riding partners completed a double century (in one day). This year he will try for the California Triple Crown. By looking at him, you wouldn't think that he could ride 10 miles, let alone 200 miles--he is short and overweight, but he is got heart.
Another friend just recently completed the Bordeaux-Paris ride: 370 miles, over 13,000 feet of climbing in just in 25h10m.
Just writing about it makes me tired.
I rode my first century (100 miler) in 1989. Since then I try to ride at least one, maybe more, organized century rides per year.
This year that goal will include the MS Coastal Challenge from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara.
BTW, for those of us who might be tempted to think that we are badasses because we ride a century, consider this.
Last year, One of my riding partners completed a double century (in one day). This year he will try for the California Triple Crown. By looking at him, you wouldn't think that he could ride 10 miles, let alone 200 miles--he is short and overweight, but he is got heart.
Another friend just recently completed the Bordeaux-Paris ride: 370 miles, over 13,000 feet of climbing in just in 25h10m.
Just writing about it makes me tired.
#66
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My Century:
Five of us started at 5:00 AM at Willow Park, out on the west side of Fort Worth. We rode down to Cleburne, stopped for supplies, then continued on to Glen Rose. Then it was off to Iredell, then on down to Clifton. Our stop at Clifton was a combination Burger King/ convenience store.
Here's my hamburger. It was GOOD. This was at the 115 mile mark, by the way.
Charlie and Gary eating at Clifton.
Sharon caught some quick zzzs while the rest of us ate.
Then our route looped back up to Iredell again. We made a stop at Cranfills Gap for water on the way. Here's Charlie, Sharon, Gary, and Vickie at Iredell.
From there, it was a quick jaunt over to Hico, then we rode on up to Bluffdale. Here's the whole gang at Bluffdale, this was 186 miles or so.
From Bluffdale, we rode on to Lipan, got there about 9:30 at night. The reason we started at 5:00 AM was specifically so we could get to the store before it closed at 11:00, so all was well. Then on to Weatherford and ended up back in Willow Park about 1:55 AM with 249.8 miles.
Five of us started at 5:00 AM at Willow Park, out on the west side of Fort Worth. We rode down to Cleburne, stopped for supplies, then continued on to Glen Rose. Then it was off to Iredell, then on down to Clifton. Our stop at Clifton was a combination Burger King/ convenience store.
Here's my hamburger. It was GOOD. This was at the 115 mile mark, by the way.
Charlie and Gary eating at Clifton.
Sharon caught some quick zzzs while the rest of us ate.
Then our route looped back up to Iredell again. We made a stop at Cranfills Gap for water on the way. Here's Charlie, Sharon, Gary, and Vickie at Iredell.
From there, it was a quick jaunt over to Hico, then we rode on up to Bluffdale. Here's the whole gang at Bluffdale, this was 186 miles or so.
From Bluffdale, we rode on to Lipan, got there about 9:30 at night. The reason we started at 5:00 AM was specifically so we could get to the store before it closed at 11:00, so all was well. Then on to Weatherford and ended up back in Willow Park about 1:55 AM with 249.8 miles.
#67
Senior Member
I definitely would ride the Skull Valley loop again, and would ride it with the added out and back from from Congress on the front and end (totally glad we are riding down Yarnell Hill at the end of the ride). It appears I fat-fingered the elevation.. it was 7159 ft, not 1759
#68
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Dang, I'm going to have to work up to a double. Ordinary centuries just seem so ordinary after this thread!
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#69
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I'm slowly coming back from injuries, so a century is just wishful thinking at this point. If I were up to it physically, the Hancock Horizontal Hundred (very flat) in NW Ohio in September would be a goal.
#70
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Congress to Yarnell would be my first "2" climb. Maybe the next time we go I could get dropped off at Congress and ride the rest of the way to Prescott. That would need a much earlier start on the driving (from San Diego'ish) than I think I can get the wife to consent to.
#71
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had my carpal tunnel surgery today and have my 64th bd in 3 weeks. thank goodness for aero bars because my 130 mile bd ride has to be done on the 12th. will start at 0400, then meet with sat am lbs guys at 0800 for a 40 miler, then finish off my ride
#72
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