Advice for my first century ride

[kimcustomfit]

Calling Billy Garcia...Come in Billy! Or any other friendly souls!
Hi Billy Kim Y. I never did call you to train on the road. You're so far away in North Miami!
I am training for my first century ride I have about three to four more weeks. I am currently getting in a 43 mile ride on Saturdays and just increased the pace to 20-21mph. On Sundays I'm getting in 32 miles at about the same pace. Also getting in two spins per week at 75%- 80%mhr. What do you think I should do as far as practice distance rides ( maximum miles I should ride) I need a goal to get me through this. Suggestions please, Kim

[Patrick]

Most training for a century articles recomend a 70 miler a week two weeks before your first century. I would rob Peter to pay Paul if you have to -- in other words, take a little from your Sunday ride and add that distance to your Saturday ride.

Alternatively, doing back to back 50milers on Saturday and Sunday, if you cant find the time to do a 70 miler, will get you there. The 70 miler is my first choice.

Have fun!

[raptor]

If my experience is any help, you're ready. :)

I did an early-season century a couple years ago when my training had consisted of indoor classes @ 45-60 minutes, and two outdoor rides maxing at 33 miles. I suffered greatly, but made it.

I had already done a couple centuries before, so I knew what it takes. A century is just like your shorter training rides, but longer. :)

If you keep yourself fueled and watered, and your bike keeps working well, you'll make it. You seem to have plenty of speed, but for normal people a century is a matter of staying on the bike until it's done.

But Patrick's right since you're taking the time to actually train. Endurance is what it takes. If you can increase your riding to 70 miles at a time, then 100 won't be a big deal.

Good luck & have fun! It's 40-50 degrees here with snow on the ground in spots (mainly higher).

Lynn

[kimcustomfit]

Thanks for your help all!
The thing that motivated me to do this in the first place was this painful , unplanned ride I did with the Everglades bike club. I did about 85 miles and thought that I would never finish. They pulled me along in the heat that day. It reached about 92 degrees by noon!
Funny you should mention the nutrition...that was the newest part of riding for me. As a full figured girl, I had the mentality of burning lots of bodyfat and was not nutritionally prepared for the ride. They made me eat and hydrate as we did four stops in five plus hours.
The other lesson learned... I needed better bike shorts!
So I'm willing to learn, even the hard way. Wish me luck, KIM

P.S. Anybody have any favorite websites for cycling info?

[madcyclist]

Hello Kim,

One thing I would find out is what does the course trerrain look like? Hilly? Flat? Windy? Calm?

This will factor in heavily into your prep training; for instance, if the ride is hilly, you will need to work hills and work on building strength - interval work will be appropo here.

For a century, endurance is the key word here. If the course is primarily flat, work on your endurance (a even output distribution) and keeping a steady cadence throughout the ride.

Learn to ride in a group if possible. I also tell people on there first century to find a group that you can keep up with and pace with them - if the group is experience and you have time to learn, ride in a paceline. You can go faster and save energy over the ride. Riding a century by yourself is hard and boring. Your first one should be an enjoyable - go out there and make friends, there will be others out there like you.

Have fun, it's not a race, eventhough you'll see a lot of people out there who think it is.

Think endurance, not speed.
--

[kimcustomfit]

Thanks Madcyclist,
I have the luxury of riding in the same area as the event two days a week. Always windy! always flat, always debris.
The cool thing is that this ride starts out on the Homestead Miami Speedway. Nascar had a race on this track yesterday! One lap around the track then off to the everglades.
I'll write next week to tell you how my training is giong.
Happy Thanksgiving to all, KIM