Century poll
 

The frequency of recent threads on century or longer rides has got me thinking about the number of 50+ members who have done them, and how many have no interest in them.

Not sure if this poll has been done before, and not sure what it shows, but it's interesting to me at least.

N.B. 100 Miles not Kms.

Er, there doesn't seem to be any poll here?

Sorry about that, there is now.

Oops..... I accidentally voted for "Have done no more than a couple but will do more" but I meant to vote for "Regularly/frequently ride centuries or further."

I've cast my vote in the first category, but it doesn't accurately describe my position.

I've ridden 100 miles in a day, or further, on many occasions. But only a dozen or so of those occasions have been in organised events. Mostly they've been days when I was alone on tour, and decided to go a bit further than usual because I wanted to visit a particular place. Sometimes they've been days when a riding buddy and I have decided to do a particular route for fun.

I've no doubt there'll be days in my future on which I ride more than 100 miles. But I don't expect any of them to be organised sportives, or Gran Fondos, or whatever. I'm no longer especially interested in that.

Did 19 in one month...Did some all nighters to beat the heat last summer.

I voted have done none but aim too...since I assumed you mean 100 miles not 100km. If it's 100km then I've done one

In reality given the time commitment needed for a century the last category might be more likely

It's all about the distance, not the organisation, so you're fine.

Usually three or four a year, split between organized charity rides and self-supported rides. However, none yet this year.

Voted; I've done three (one on converted mtb; two on flat-bar road bike). Will do more as/when the mood takes me.
I've absolutely no interest in 'goals', or organized/charity/group rides etc. Ride alone ... always; for me, that's a substantial part of the point of cycling. In all three instances, I just set off early one morning with no particular objective other than doing a (long) distance ride that day; morphed into a 'century' (yes, true Imperial century).
I've little doubt such a day will come again.

You didn't include an option for those of us who have done hundreds of 100 mile rides but not so much anymore.

I'm getting near to doing one. I'll go solo. As usual. When I ride alone, I prefer to be by myself.

To me it's all about the intensity. 85 mountainous miles is a lot harder than 100 flat miles.

OK, George Thorogood.

Too big a gap between the first two choices. I generally do a century or two per year. I wouldn't call that frequently but it's more than "a couple."

I used to do a few every year, seven being the most. However I have not ridden a century since my heart surgery in '05. I have ridden several 60-80 miles rides and expect to do a century this fall. I might do it as my pie ride, as that will be 70 miles this year.

I've done a few dozen, but lately just a few each year. One so far in 2014, but probably two or three more to come.

I tried one. Too much time required for training. I got bored after 70 miles, I would have stopped, but the route was the fastest way back to the car. :rolleyes: I proved to myself I could do it. :thumb:

The only century goal I have in mind is a 100 year age.
still don't understand the obsession some have riding 100 mi.
I ride for my pleasure.
Sometimes I ride 20 or 30 km, another time the distance might be 160 or 170 km.
the organized or charity rides I do, might go the 100; but depending upon my mood or conditions may go on to something else.

How about: Used to do lots. Now rarely.

Home upgrades have taken up too much of my time this summer but I'll do another one next year when I'm better prepared to do it justice.

Failed first attempt-threw in towel at 80. Birthday 2013

11/2/2013- 102 mi., 3k ft. Bike Ride Profile | 440 Days from MI to 100mi. near Oceanside | Times and Records | Strava

3/2/2014 - 101 mi. 5276 ft. Bike Ride Profile | 101 miles near Solvang | Times and Records | Strava

My apologies if there are some flaws in the poll, but I am not a statistician and only did it on the spur of the moment to paint a broad picture of 50+ preferences.

I would have thought that anyone who used to be a frequent century rider should count themselves in the first option.

I must admit to being a bit surprised at this early stage at the high percentage of frequent century riders, if this is a reliable representation. Or is it down to the likelihood that century riders are more likely to read the post after seeing the title?

The latter. If you titled a thread "How many female riders?" you'd get a distorted view of the amount of female participation in the sport, because not many of us would post in order to say "I'm a man".

I'm in the done a couple, hope to do more category. Both my centuries were loaded touring, as in pulling a Bob trailer full of camping gear, and both took me from early morning to dusk.
After full retirement, which I anticipate in a few years, I hope to work up to doing centuries loaded only with emergency and hydration supplies.

Got in 14 last year and the club gave me this...

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...mileamonth.png