banerjek

We seem to have a lot of people here who ride considerable distances, but I wonder if that's just because distance discussions encourage people who aren't into riding many miles at once to be quiet. So what's your take on riding fairly flat centuries in "normal" weather?

the beef

Attitude? I like them

Rutnick

flat centuries are ok. Centuries with mountains...bliss.

pjcampbell

Sounds really boring and like it is going to hurt ones rear end afterwards. Most i've ever done is 87 and that was once.

Grasschopper

For me it is a goal...I do at least one a year which is the Livestrong ride (though those dill nuts shortened it to 90 miles last year...hey Lance get on the horn and lengthen that course 10 miles or so). To me it is cool to be able to say I can ride 100 miles and I know I can do it so no big deal I guess. IMO these people doing 200 and 300 miles in a shot are nut cases. LOL No offense, you people are hard core and all, but don't you have other stuff? I mean with a job and a wife and a kid there is no chance I could train enough to ride those sorts of miles let alone go do it.

pjcampbell

to clarify, id rather do 87 or 100 with hills than 100 flat. Flat is boring.

The Micah

I'd rather ride twice as hard for 50-70 miles on hills or mountains. Way more fun than just trying to complete a century.

DataJunkie

I'd rather ride a century in the rockies. 50 miles is over way too fast.
Flat centuries are almost boring except for the fact that I ride them in winter. Something about 100 miles in the snow when the temps never climb above freezing is amusing.

wfrogge

I remember reading that Lance had a job, wife, and a kid as well ... He managed to ride quite a lot also.

*more down to earth example*

99% of all riders have full time jobs, kids, wife, and still find time to ride an accomplish their goals be it racing , double centuries, or just riding that weekly 50 mile group ride every Saturday.

milchad

It's a rite of passage for many cyclists.

umd

Just riding 100 miles is not a big deal. Throw in a lot of climbing and it can get more interesting and challenging. Organized centuries are generally pretty lame, but I'll do them on occasion with other people.

umd

If you can do 100 miles, you can do 200, as long as you are willing to be on your bike all day. There isn't really any extra training needed, except making sure you know your body well enough to stay on top of hydration & nutrition.

peiffer83

Love going long distance. I went a total of 590 miles for june! Rode about 3 centuries.

OPC

Exactly. IMO, every cyclist should ride at least one in their lives, flat or hilly, supported or solo.

botto 

it's a number. nothing more.

Reynolds 

I'm in the Century a Month group in the Long Distance Forums.

KiddSisko

I like solo rides in the 50 to 60 mile length, but prefer doing longer rides with groups. For a century there has to be a nice leisurely group meal break, plus a few quality stops with photo opps. The last 25 miles should be difficult, either with plenty of rollers, or a fast pace if flat, ridden non-stop. My first century was at age 15, with friends on a holiday weekend camping trip, on a 30 lb bike, carrying some 20 lbs of gear. I was what, 140 lbs back then? Nothing but muscle, hormones, eagle eyes, raw instinct, aggression and competitiveness.

CyLowe97

Agree with botto. 100 is just a number.

But unit of measurement is something else. We talking miles, kilometers, leagues, furlongs, centiliters, years?

Big Scott

They may be lame to some but I like the fact that they are supported (rest stops, food, water and help if you have a major issue) plus the proceeds normally go to a charity. While I may not take part in most of the rest stops its good to know they are there if ya need em.

I just did the Cartersville Century and plan to do the Covington Century on August, 2nd.

-Scott

sojourn

A man or woman who can ride a hundred miles on a bike in a day, can do anything!
It's really quite an accomplishment and instilled in me a confidence I had not known before......

gfrance

Yeah, as a right of passage I did one, had a great time doing it, but probably won't do another organized one again.

ericm979

When I started cycling years ago, and when I came back to it more recently, riding organized centuries was a good way to get more into "serious" cycling. Finishing my first century seemed like such a big acheivement. In a way it is- 99.99% of the population couldn't do it.

Now that I'm faster I still do some. Sometimes "social" centuries with some like-minded racer/fast friends where we go kind of fast in between stopping to eat. Or the difficult climbing centuries like the KOM series in So Cal or the Death Ride.

Spreggy

Riding my first century was an important step to becoming a healthy guy, and it was my goal last summer. I rode four of them last year, and one this year. I'm glad I did them, but I don't feel compelled to do more. My goals were:
Commute my way back to health, check.
Ride a century, check x5.
Current goal: race in August.

So centuries are no longer in line with my goals.

merlinextraligh

Did the year's first last week. For the next ten weeks, looks like its going to be 1 or 2 a week most weeks.

botto 

time + intensity.