I'll spare your most of the details, but as someone that didn't ride over 50 miles last year, and logged 3,500+ miles, I've never really had time for centuries (young kids, etc...) Anyway this July I'm doing the RAIN ride (Ride Across INdiana = 160 miles), so I'm trying to get some longer rides in. I did 84 last month, and finally today broke the century mark (105.6). I need to get my speed up for the RAIN, but we had more climbing then the RAIN will, and about an hour of rain. The route was nice and included 10 covered bridges. It was a self supported ride, and only cost $5 to cover road markings etc... I was very pleased with my Hammer Nurtrition products. I carried all my food, but had to get more water a couple times. Body feels good, legs a little tried, but after a 30 minute nap I felt good. After the RAIN, I think I'll stick to my 50 milers and less, just not enough time to spend so much of it in the saddle in one day. Nice to finally cross the century benchmark.

Congrats on your first, Im sure you will find many more ahead of you.

Congratulations, you will do fine in RAIN, I'm sure. If you did 105 you'll have no problem with the 159 across Indiana and you'll probably surprise yourself at how fast you do it! Don't underestimate the hills along the route, though...they are by no means steep but they can wear you down if you're not prepared. When you hit Putnam County (where I live) on US40, I've noticed it tends to separate out those who have trained in the hills and those who haven't. The riders who have only trained in the flatlands tend to struggle. That's why I try to get down that section of US40 as much as I can when I'm training. Plus, we have lots of hills anyway out here so it's good preparation in general. Based on my experience you'll be glad your training included some hills come July 14th...here's wishing you a great Ride Across INdiana!

Congrats!

Thanks! As for the RAIN, I've been on much of US 40 East of Indy and there are some long inclines, so that will slow me down. Just hoping for a little tailwind. So are you riding?

Congrats!! And that is good info on the RAIN route. Never done it but someone is trying to talk me into it. I also recall some hills in Richmond close to the finish. Time to start a RAIN prep thread for newbies and potential newbies?

Congrats. I'm sure you'll do great at your event.

There is a long incline about 9 miles west of the finish, everyone talks about it at the finish, because after 150 miles, no one wants to do a mile or so climb even if it's only 4%. The problem seems to be that you see it long before you start climbing. After that you finish up with a couple more, but they are all shorter, so you get a few breaks.

way to go.

Glad you had a great experience. After my first century I said "never again" but 2 weeks later, guess what? I just couldn't resist. Doing a century is the best way to spend 5 (or 6 or 7.....or 8?) hours of your life.

I got caught out in the rain in Indiana today also. It sucked, I was at around 9 miles into my ride and had another 2.5 to get to shelter at my riding partner's parents house. It stormed so we got a ride back.

Good job!

I've ridden a couple dozen centuries and I rode five last spring in preparation for RAIN including a 144 miler but I still had a difficult time. That 96 degree temperature really took its toll. I'm already used to eating and drinking a lot while on the bike but this requires a lot more eating and drinking. The first snack stop does not come before 50 miles and lunch is at 90 miles. You'll need to be eating and replenishing water long before that as the food you eat then is what will be fueling you at the end. I ran out of gas around 113 miles and ran on fumes to the end. I was passed by a lot of cars with bikes already in the racks. I think about 400 people did not complete the ride.

Work on getting your bike position ultra comfy and find some good food and you'll do fine.

Thanks guys! I'm nowhere near a 5 hour century, but still cranked out the miles. My wife is going to SAG me for the RAIN, so I'm planning on skipping the stops and carrying my own drink/food. I think I'll try one more long ride before the RAIN, but hopfully I have it mostly figured out. The heat is a killer, so I think I'm going to get a rear bottle carrier to have a couple extra bottles available. I'm hoping to complete the RAIN in 10 hours total, we will see.