Bassmanbob

Today, I cycled the Hibiscus Century Ride out of Vero Beach, FL, and I'm feeling such a sense of accomplishment. This has been a goal I've wanted to do since I started cycling two years ago. At the time, two miles at 13mph left me winded. I would sometimes think that it would be great if I could do it. IF. Then I did my first half century on my 50th birthday, last April, and I knew it was only a matter of time until I would do this. Life and work got in the way at times, and I pushed the century back a few months-- but I knew I'd eventually do it. And today I did.

I was slow, doing it in about 7 hours (6hr. 15min. in the saddle). The only hills were four causeway bridges, but we had what Florida cyclists call the Florida Mountains-- 15- 20mph headwinds for 45 miles. Thankfully, the last 35 provided a wonderful tailwind. While going north into the headwind, I thought about turning around at the Metric Century sign. I finally decided to shut up and keep peddling.

Amusing OCD side note: I was lucky enough to do the last 30 miles with one guy who was also happy to go slower. We got to the corner just before the finish line and my Cyclemeter said we only did 99.45 miles. So we went around the first half mile of the course again and logged 100.67 miles. He was happy tease the course director that, "Bob and I are the only ones who did a Century today."

Great day.

Next goals:
1. Double Metric Century
2. Florida's Horrible Hundred in Clermont, FL
The Horrible Hundred is in November so I have lots of time to work on speed and hills this summer.

dksix

congratulations

dvdslw

Awesome, there's nothing like getting that first century done. It makes shorter rides easier to deal with because you'll always know no matter how hard it gets you've done more. Congratulations!

one4smoke

Congrats!

Planning on doing mine in the next week or two.

Hermes1

Congrats on your accomplishment. I am working towards a century as a goal also, so your post provided a bit more inspiration.

learning2ride

The Hot Hundred is in July in Tuscaloosa Al

Reynolds 

Good job Bob!
If you finished this century comfortably a double metric should be no problem at all.

rossiny

congrats, considering most I did in my 20s was maybe like 90 miles. Way to go , gives me something to try for, now that I am in my 50s also.... PS which bike did u use and did it feel like u were floating when the endorphins kicked in<< ?? hehe

spdracr39

Good Job !!

Bassmanbob

Thanks all. I did it on the Cannondale. That bike weighs about half of what my Trek does. If I were to try an extended ride on the Trek, I would remove the racks and fenders.

OldTryGuy

Excellent!!!

After HH don't forget about Cross Florida.

bgrider

Congratulations! I've been known to loop around the block or take a small excursion from the planned route at the tail end of a ride to get the odometer to roll over 50, 100 or whatever the goal for the particular ride was. Its very satisfying to see the one and the two zeros on your display at the end of a century. I think its great that you took the time to do this on an organized event! Keep at it and enjoy!

deex

Congratulations! I am training to do the Key Largo to Key West century. The most I have done in one ride so far is 70 miles. The Wind, aka Florida Mountains has gotten me a couple of times.

aubiecat

Is that going to be your first century?

thin_concrete

This thread's title had me totally confused because there's a First Century Bank here locally.

Congrats on the ride!

Darth Steele

did you post it on Stava? or didn't happen.. just kidding mate.. congrats..you are right to be proud

Cycling can produce some amazing moments and sense of accomplishments.

Nachoman

Nice job.
And make sure to tell some of your non cycling friends about your accomplishment.
You'll get a different reaction. They'll be blown away.

Bassmanbob

My goals for next year include the two day option across FL, then the one day option the following year.

Defyme

When are you doing the Key Largo to Key West Century? My brother-in law and I are booked for June 11th. That will be my first Century too.

deex

I was supposed to do it next weekend but other unexpected things got in the way. April was my cutoff month as it starts to get hot in May. I admire you guys for doing it in such a hot month as June. I am waiting until November for the key west century. Now I am aiming at doing 100 miles on my usual weekend road on us 1 in palm beach county. I have already gotten to 70 miles and multiple times done a metric century.

Good luck and post about it when you complete it. I would love to hear how it went.

Inpd

Congratulations!

I'll warn you that centuries are addictive. Once you've done one you'll want to do another and soon anything less than 30 miles doesn't seem worth even riding!

rfmarotti

nice work

GreenAnvil

Good job!

Tpcorr

Congratulations! It seems you averaged about 16 mph, I think that's a pretty good pace for that distance and wind conditions.

bmthom.gis

Congrats! Every century I do it seems to be more like 102-104 miles....course design punks! Usually mine take me about the same time, but I'm really never in a hurry. There's usually nice scenery, people to talk to, sometimes the rest stops are a lot of fun (my first century, the ~60 miles point happened to be at the beach and at ~80 miles there was a party with a band and pie and ice cream). I like to bring my own food, though. The little energy gels and whatever else that is normally provided isn't my jam. I'll take a baguette (cut up), a couple PB&Js, a number of bananas, and some other snacks and put it all into my Carradice Barley. I don't like fueling on gels/bars.