The term century seems to be used to describe any ride that is 100 English miles. I guess this is an Imperial century? Anyway, is that really all that a century is or does it need to be an organized event, etc.?

My nephew is graduating in a couple weeks and i am contemplating riding my bike to his graduation. It is right at 100 miles from here. I would have the wife and kids come by car. I have never ridden anywhere near 100 miles at one time although i usually average around 150-200 per week on my Mountain bikes. I have ridden over 9000 miles in the last 18 months only taking a day off here and there.

I just got a Trek 1000 road bike and really find it no trouble to do 40 miles on it. I know that 100 is a lot more than 40 but i think i am in good enough shape. I think that it will just take me a lot longer to get there than what i am used to. Right now my rides are usually only around 2-3 hrs in lenght max, because of time constraints.

About 70 of the miles will be going North which should mean i will have a tailwind. 30 of the miles will be going east. I really think i can pull this off, if everything goes right. Are most centuries ridden solo or is there often drafting involved?

Anyone have any tips? I think i need a handlebar bag or something because my wedge pack is full of tubes, etc. Good idea?

It seems to me the only thing that makes a century a century is that you ride 100 miles at once. If 40 miles on a mountain bike isn't too bad you'd be surprised what you can do. I went on a bike tour and was used to around 30 or 40 mile rides and most days on the tour we went 65-70 miles. One day we actually did 103 miles fully loaded. The trick if you aren't used to it (which I wasn't) is to stay hydrated. It is extremely important because it can be difficult on longer rides to stay properly hydrated. Give yourself plenty of time and don't try to race in the beginning or you could burn out and that sucks. Oh yeah, that means eating more while you ride and stopping for lunch. Eating doesn't matter as much on a shorter ride but when you get up there it's suprising the change it makes in performance. Good luck!

Sounds like you're set. You'll be a little sore, but with 150-200 dirt miles a week you're probably in plenty good shape for it. Have fun.

I think you'll be Ok Ranger. Make sure you have plenty of hydration and snacks. Give youreself a rest for a few minutes say every 25 miles and eat a little something. Trail mix, banana, not a lot but something. Stand once in a while to give your butt a rest.

A century is 100 miles done as all-at-once as possible. It does not need to be an organized event, and you are allowed reasonable breaks (like to grab something to eat, or to use the bushes, or whatever).




It sounds like you are in shape enough to do a century. Just remember to keep eating and drinking all the way through.

Check out the article I wrote on riding a century (especially your first one) for some extra tips: https://www.machka.net/century.htm

And you might browse around this site: https://www.ultracycling.com/ for some more articles from long distance riders on centuries and longer distances.