My first century

What kind of distances were you doing before the century? I am up to 50 km at a time with no biking shorts as yet. I just need to know before I go and make a fool of myself. I just got back into this after a ten year hiatus. My goal is a century someday and a little light touring. But my original plan does not call for a possible century until I got to 140 km or so in Summer of 2005.

First, I'm 39yrs old, 5'10 and now 178 lbs (was 203 in early June!). I do wear padded shorts and wouldn't ride w/o them. I started off doing a 40km route 3-4 times a week (often as I can with 2 small kids, and a busy wife) averaging 30-31 km/h with a few small hills. (about 1hr 15m) I now prefer longer routes of 50-60 km with more hills. Before my century the longest I'd done was 115km (w/o stopping) with a Burlington bike club, drafting behind 12 guys at 34 km/h. Drafting really amazed me,...it's like doing 27-28 km/h solo). I did that distance once, and only packed a banana for the ride. I felt really stoned (bonked) at the end probably due to lack of calories.

For my century I ate well, and drank a lot of water + gatorade.

I must admit that I didn't plan for the century, I just thought about doing it the night before, after seeing a good weather forecast. I took a few bagels, 2 water bottles, and a $20. bill! (I bought food on the way)

I'd highly recommend padded shorts (and 'Bag Balm' for your taint), and jersey (pockets for food)
I don't mean to sound cocky, but it was easier than I thought, and had no muscle pains the day after. I really think it was more of a willpower thing.
I think it would have been easier with someone for company.

I'm certainly no expert but recommend you get some shorts, and give it a try THIS year while you have the weather. I also feel that my high cadence (90+) was a possitive factor. Maybe ask at your LBS if anybody wants to go with you for company.

Good luck,
-Karl

So far my typical weekday ride is 21 km. That is more limited by time then anything else. I have a wife and two small girls so my time is not great. But they are trying to allow me the time so I can get healthy. Overweight, overstressed and high blood pressure. A type A kind of guy. My route is very hilly and I am not quite up to riding the hilly area without a break yet. But once I am beyond the hilly section I can ride the flatter areas all day long. Since I am riding on busy suburban Atlanta roads I normally do not drink from my water bottle while I am riding. I stop and take a swallow or two and ride on. This gives me just enough of a break to allow me to go for a very long time. So far my longest time in the saddle has been 4 hours. My butt was sore (no padded pants as yet but I am looking) but I was not exhausted.🙂 I have yet to bonk myself. I normally ride with two water bottles and that is about it. Sometimes I carry a Power Bar but I have not had to eat one on the road. My next big ride is going to be 80 km. 😄 I just got a bike computer for my birthday that has the cadence feature. So I do not know what kind of cadence I am generating. But overall I try to keep a pace that allows me to talk to myself.:o Hey doesn't everybody do that?🙄