Jay68442

I finally completed my first century ride. This past weekend I did the LiveStrong Challenge in Philly. The ride itself was 95.2 miles according to my garmin so I did a few laps in the parking lot to make it an even 100. The climbing was killer, 6978 ft with a few spikes to 22-24% grade. Because of all the hills my avg speed was 13.4 mph. 7hr, 4 min in the saddle. At 208 lbs I don’t make for a very good climber. I was happy just to finish. All in all it was a great day.

cshell

Good Job!!



But 4.8 miles was "a few laps" in the parking lot? That's one BIG parking lot!

Jay68442

It was a college campus, but yes I did have to put in more than a “few” laps upon my return.

grahny

Congrats Jay... that's a tough first century and something to be proud of. That route is killer

grahny

Actually, it is... they run the 5K through it for the event

island rider

Great job. I was out there with you. Not an easy first century.

This was not your typical club ride century, or charity fundraiser century. This was truly a challenge. Personally, I hit 96.1 at the finish line and rounded up. Close enough to a century for me. Worst case, I can take 4 miles from the 104 century I did earlier this year and call them both 100.

One other thing to keep in mind if you keep doing rides like these is that there are generally nowhere near that many rest areas on most rides. Plus, the rides are typically nowhere near as well supported. During one 5 or so minute tire changing stretch on this ride I was approached by no less than 3 SAG wagons. Unheard of on any other ride. Also, the amount of police and medical presence was staggering.

You should be pleased with yourself. I am sure there were quite a few people who got bussed to about a mile out then rode their way across the finish line.

Jay68442

Last year I was really disappointed because I hurt my knee at mile 80 and had to flag down a sag wagon. To finish the ride this year was a great accomplishment for me and I feel really good about it. Not sure if any of you guys saw me but I had a "I'm a survivor" tag on that said 21 years. I was diagnosed at 16, 21 years ago.

Snoots

Congrats, I know a few people that did that ride. It sounds like it was a tough one, way to go on completing it, and adding the extra miles to make it a true century.

banerjek

That's pretty hard core for a first century. Not a bad speed average considering the climbing.

You waited until you were in too good shape before attempting. Now do a double and get back to us.

island rider

Stop teasing, people don't actually do double centuries, that's just a myth. It's a great big conspiracy and anyone who says otherwise is a part of it.

island rider

Congrats. On both struggles. I was there with a group of guys with Bruce Springsteen lyrics on our jerseys.

brian416

Congrats, that is quite a bit of climbing for your first century too.

umd

Howzit

Longest ride I did was 290km, 30km short of a double. I can tell you now, doubles are a myth

Redbird74

That ride was also my first "real" century. (I did 100 Miles of Nowhere https://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdales-athenas-200-lb-91-kg/545336-first-ever-century-100-miles-nowhere.html) The hills were pretty brutal; I can feel your pain being a Clydesdale on that course. I weigh in at 247 right now and it was a CHALLENGE. Felt great making it up the Landis Store climb with the devil cheering me on. After that, though, even the smaller hills started to chew you up. Found myself spinning ever smaller gears on ever smaller hills. I finished right under 6 hours at 5:59 (just under 16mph) for the 96 miles. (I rode to the start line more than 5 miles and then reset my computer.) Congratulations to everyone who did it!

Paratrooper

Good job. Congratulations.

StupidlyBrave 

Great job, man!