Daveonabike

Could you guys give me some advice on riding a century. I am looking to do an organized event in the near future. Thanks

Yoshi

Drop your gearing and take your time. It's not a race so why not enjoy yourself (unless you enjoy going all out for 100 miles, if so go nuts)?

the pope

Flip flop if it's an out and back. Inevitably one is more way is more hilly/windy.

queerpunk

eat lots of food and drink lots of water.

Tmax1

Carry your NSAID's.

mihlbach

I dunno...I do 100+ mile rides on fixed and geared bikes all the time. Just make sure you are capable of going the distance. I did my first organized ride a few weeks ago, and I thought that all those lycra-clad carbon straddling roadies were going to leave me in the dust...but I finished in front of most of them...so if you are a fairly strong cyclist, you probably will not get hugely dropped. If you are unaccustomed to the distance, or not sure how far you are capable of riding, take it easy for the first half of the ride, so you don't have to ride the last 50 exhausted. If you normally ride hills fixed and are accustomed to mashing it shouldn't be a problem. If you have to walk up a few small hills..so be it. On the other hand, if there is a huge climb involved..then I would definately gear down or used a geared bike.

Finally, make sure you have a brake on your bike for two reasons.
1. they may not let you ride without a brake...someone who doesn't understand fixed gear bikes will inevitably determine that its not safe.
2. Secondly, skidding and skipping is fun, but not when your tired...you'll be glad you have a brake for the last 50 miles or so.

mihlbach

Also I could add that I normally ride alone...but when I ride along with other people, such as during an organized ride, it tends to give me a huge kick in the ass...and I push it a lot harder.

Terror_in_pink

talk to ostro and silly girl

absntr

Do a search for "Chicago Century".

auk

As has been stated, drop your gearing down a gear or two and enjoy the madness.

gorn

I would recommend a brake also. I did 200km with some people here not too long ago, and the first half of the ride i was barely touching my brake. Just resisting or skipping or skidding or whatever. The second half I just loved my front brake soooo much.

space_robots

My advice is to make sure you do some long rides, 60miles+ beforehand on whatever bike you're going to be using. Seems obvious but yeah. In the beginning make sure you don't take it too fast. For me, frequent eating in small quantities works well. Same with drinking water. A lot of people drink sweet stuff, I can't tolerate it and prefer water or watered down energy drink. Avoid caffeine, alcohol (hah) before, if you can.

Lastly, sunscreen would probably be a good idea.

have fun

shawnrock@gmail

If at all possible, avoid wearing a bag. Put on bottle cages or something, and put your tools in a seat bag.

Snuffleupagus

Brakes are a necessity if you're riding in a group.

Big ol' organized centuries/distance rides are almost more dangerous than racing. Lots of people goofing around, newish riders, not paying attention...you'll need to be able to stop in a hurry.

max-a-mill

see i'd say the exact opposite, a camelback is your friend... unless there will bre lots of water stops. you want to drink A LOT and trying to go 40-50 miles on 2 bottles isn't good for that...

ch0mb0

feel free to get some of that "nacho cheese" cream...what was it called again? chamois butter.

try and maintain a steady pace. save your energy for the end - don't wear your knees out too soon!
It might help if you did a few prep rides before the real thing. stay hydrated and have fun.

jyossarian

Put handlebar bag full of snacks like strawberries, cut-up granola bars, cherries, raisins, dried fruit, etc. on your bike where you can get at it easily. Then just grab some every 15 mins. or so and take a sip out of your camelbak every 10 mins. or so and you can do the century w/o stopping unless you need to use the bathroom.