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January 6th, 2014, 10:04 PM
#1
Consultant
The Lounge of Terrestrial Wheelmen
I'm still pretty out of shape, but approached 30 miles on my ride on Saturday. What's an appropriate time for a century? At first I thought it was the cycling equivalent of a marathon, but considering I'm averaging 12 mph, I realized that 100 miles is an 8 hour ride.
I really have no idea how to approach this level of mileage. But my girlfriend is doing a half marathon, and running is too much for my knees. I feel like I need to do something equivalent on the bike, which I really enjoy. But I'd rather not die.
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January 6th, 2014, 10:42 PM
#2
What fresh hell is this?
30 miles is not bad but it's not really adequate preparation for 100 miles. I did several 80 milers in the weeks before my first century. I couldn't believe how much harder that last 20 miles was.
You want to at least be doing 50-60 milers every weekend for a few weeks before attempting a century.
Keep in mind also that at around 60-70 miles, your muscles will start running out of glycogen. Hydration also becomes critically important. You can get away with some dehydration on a 50-60 miler. Not so much on a century. On the actual century, drink ridiculous amounts of water and carry some energy gels or some other energy replenishment and use them. I can't remember how many gels I used on my last century. It was something like 10-12 I think. They helped a lot.
Also, go your own speed. Don't try to make an unrealistic time. You will bonk, bad.
Last edited by overpowered; January 7th, 2014 at 09:24 AM.
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January 7th, 2014, 01:13 AM
#3
Senior Member
Got my first century planned http://app.strava.com/routes/124130
Jan 24th
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January 7th, 2014, 08:03 AM
#4
What fresh hell is this?
You've come pretty close already. I think you already have a pretty good idea of what you're getting into.
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January 7th, 2014, 11:26 AM
#5
Jedi
I haven't ridden a bike since October 30. Looking forward to getting back into it.
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January 7th, 2014, 06:20 PM
#6
What fresh hell is this?
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January 7th, 2014, 09:00 PM
#7
What fresh hell is this?
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January 7th, 2014, 09:33 PM
#8
The longest i've gone recently (in the last few years) was 41 miles and that was HARD.
I just fixed my flat rear tire from a few months ago and rode 15 miles yesterday. I'm terribly, terribly out of shape. I think my goal will be to do a century by the end of the year.
That's going to require me being able to do my 30 mile circuit regularly, with ease. I had better get on it.
My target/ resolution is 250 miles a month.
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January 7th, 2014, 11:53 PM
#9
The Aussie guys I'm riding with in NZ are ha4rdc0r3311!!1!1!!1!1 indeed. Oh, what I'd give to be in my early 20s again.
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January 8th, 2014, 09:19 AM
#10
The guideline I've heard is that you should keep trying to add 10% to your distance. Right now, my longest is about 70 miles, so I should aim for 77 next. I definitely wouldn't make the leap from 30 to 100.
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