Goal for a century?
03-01-06, 11:56 AM
#1
Team newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Lubbock
Posts: 66
Bikes: Specialized Allez competition double
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Goal for a century?
I just am getting started road biking. I am in college and I set a goal for myself to be able to ride about 110 miles home by the end of the summer. Is this realistic, or is that to quick to want to be in that kind of shape? There are a few hills on the ride, but nothing to major mostly flat.
03-01-06, 12:04 PM
#2
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,302
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1447 Post(s)
Liked 724 Times
in
371 Posts
It's reasonable if you're in decent shape now. Work up to it gradually. Do at least one long ride each week, and work in 3-4 shorter rides each week, with 1 or 2 of the shorter rides having some intensity. Increase the long ride by 5 miles or so each week. If you can do 25 miles now, in 12 weeks you should be ready for the 110.
03-01-06, 12:08 PM
#3
Scum, Freezebag!
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Poway, CA
Posts: 4,546
Bikes: 2007 Leader 796R w/ 10sp DA and 2005 Jamis Dakar XLT FS MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If it's mostly flat, then the only real conditioning you'll need is time-in-saddle. Getting your butt, back, arms, neck, shoulders, knees, feet, legs USED to being on a bike for 6+ hours will take some time.
There was a thread a while back with a link to a "Guide to completing a century" or somesuch. Basically it was a 3-4 month regimented buildup to a century. 4 days per week, with long rides on Sunday, culminating in a 70-80 miler the week before the big one.
There was a thread a while back with a link to a "Guide to completing a century" or somesuch. Basically it was a 3-4 month regimented buildup to a century. 4 days per week, with long rides on Sunday, culminating in a 70-80 miler the week before the big one.
03-01-06, 12:11 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Cape Vincent, NY
Posts: 1,392
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac Expert, 2002 TREK 520, Schwinn Mesa WINTER BIKE, Huffy Rock Creek 29er, 1970s-era Ross ten speed. All my bikes are highly modified(except the Tarmac) yet functional, and generally look beat to ****. .
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Liked 88 Times
in
51 Posts
Depends on what kind of shape you're in now. But if you're even remotely healthy you should be able to do a century in pretty short order. 100 miles sounds like a lot to people who don't ride, but once you get into it you find out that it's a lot easier than most people think. It won't be long before you realize that it's not a question of IF you can do the century, but HOW FAST you can do the century.
03-01-06, 12:19 PM
#5
Team newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Lubbock
Posts: 66
Bikes: Specialized Allez competition double
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Alright thanks a lot guys, and I will try and do a search for that thread.
03-01-06, 12:39 PM
#6
Scum, Freezebag!
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Poway, CA
Posts: 4,546
Bikes: 2007 Leader 796R w/ 10sp DA and 2005 Jamis Dakar XLT FS MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
03-01-06, 12:40 PM
#7
RiverCity
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SouthEast Indiana
Posts: 423
Bikes: Trek Pro 5200
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I did it on very hilly terrain and I'm 43 years old. If an old fart like me can do it so can you!!!
I trained by riding 10 miles per day for a few months and then 20 miles a day on some very steep hills. My first century took 8 hrs and 15 minutes in windy cold weather. It was a solo, which was probably the worst part of it. Be sure to put in some rides of at least 50 miles beforehand and be sure you know how do basic fixes on your bike. Good luck, have fun, and most of all report back!
I trained by riding 10 miles per day for a few months and then 20 miles a day on some very steep hills. My first century took 8 hrs and 15 minutes in windy cold weather. It was a solo, which was probably the worst part of it. Be sure to put in some rides of at least 50 miles beforehand and be sure you know how do basic fixes on your bike. Good luck, have fun, and most of all report back!
03-02-06, 04:09 AM
#8
Ride 365
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: NYC/UpperDutchess, NY
Posts: 1,882
Bikes: '06 Cannondale Six 13 Pro 2, '05 Specialized Allez Elite, '04 Jamis Satellite, 90's Raleigh M-45 single speed conversion, 80's Fuji Team single speed conversion, 70's Schwinn World Sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My only century advice is to do it at a pace that works for you.
