OldsCOOL

I've tried twice this summer to reach the iconic century mark. Both times I came dragging tail in at 81 miles. One ride was in June and the other was the end of July.....so I'm due to get back out there again and finish this little quest.

If any are asking why I couldnt finish....heat. Just too hot. When temps hit 90+ with humidity in the 70% range and no wind it is unbearable for us northern folk to even go out of the house, but me? Oh no, I'm out riding. Lots of water, plenty of calories but it's the heat that did me both times.

So this monday we are supposed to have a day in the low 70's and if the wind isnt too strong I'm out there.

Anyone else getting ready?

poxpower

Yeah sorta. I did a 65 mile 2 days ago and today I was fine enough to do 45 minutes of mountain so I'm guessing that I'll be able to finish 100 miles somehow by the end of the summer.
My biggest limiter so far for distance seems to be crotch rash and lower back pain but I'm getting to be able to ride longer and longer without the pain at least. Hope to do it solo in maybe 5.5 hours. I live in Montreal and so far I've biked from one end of the Island to the other and I have to say it has the most horrible road system in the universe. Doing a century trying to go around the island would probably mean hitting about 40-50 traffic lights, 3-4 construction detours and enough spine-rattling crevasses to loosen every bolt and screw on your bike.

So as much as I hate it, I guess I'll stick to the bike paths to do the actual century because I don't feel like finding a 4-5km closed circuit and rolling around that for hours like an idiot.

I hear you about the heat, if you can't refill your water on the way then you're just boned. I'm guessing you're drinking your calories on the bike? Or do you carry some kind of snacks?

Seanholio

I attempted the Solvang Century 6 years ago. I DNF'd because I needed to HTFU.

In September, I'm doing the 175-mile, two-day Waves to Wine ride for the National MS Society; I'm making it up to myself with interest included.

DataJunkie

You will do fine. Just take your time.

OldsCOOL

I hear ya on the road conditions. There is a bike path that was going to be part of my route until I rode it about 5 times earlier this summer. Too many stop and go's, handicap curbs, even a part on a sidewalk. Nope. It's the open highway this time out.

What complicates the calories is I'm Type1 diabetic. I carry fruit snacks in the little kiddy packages in the bike bag in between meals. Anything over 50mi and a meal is needed somewhere on the ride. It makes for a longer ride but it's not a race this time out.....that's what I save for training. Anyway, I just carry one 26oz water bottle and sip along the way. There are many places to stop along the way and I try to consolidate stops.

I just want to get this one ride out of the way and in my personal history book. Then it's back to hard riding the 20's, 30's and 40milers. Those are more fun.

Mithrandir

Planning my first century in October for this reason.

However, after a "cold" day in the 70's last week where it took forever to warm up, I'm rethinking moving it up to September. Plus I'm worried about the dramatically shorter daylight hours in October; worried about not finishing it before it gets dark.