August 05, 2007
My First Century
Yesterday, I completed my first century (a 100 mile bicycle ride). This was the longest by about twenty miles that I've ridden in a single day. Surprisingly, I think I did pretty good. I felt very strong for the first fifty miles and for the last twenty. There were thirty miles in there where I just took it easy, but after proper stretching and loading up on the necessary nutrients at the rest stops, I felt much better.
Given that I had to wake up at 4:30AM to get to the event for a 7:00 AM start and that by the time I got back home it was dusk, I don't think I'll be riding centuries every week, but it is a good feeling to know that I can and I still had energy left to ride a bit more.
Even with 1500 miles under my belt this year, there is still a long way for me to go in terms of physical ability on the bike. I'm still not the greatest climber and my peddling stroke could use some work. The latter affects the former, so I'm thinking about taking spinning classes this winter that will hope me focus on my mechanics. I'm also eying the Garmin Edge 305. It allows you to overlay cadence, heart rate, speed, elevation, etc to see how your body is reacting to different parts of the ride. Then, you get to compare your progress ride to ride. Cool!
So, now that I have my century under my belt, I have to ask myself, "what's next?" Well, I could start with more difficult centuries. The Marin Century had a relatively easy route with only 6250ft of vertical climbing and no climbs over 1000ft. A 10,000ft century would be much more difficult and would be a good challenge. Or, there are metric doubles (200k/130mi). And, if I really feel like challenging myself, there is always the double (200mi). Two-hundred miles in one day is crazy, but people do it. Usually, you have to start around 5:00 AM and you literally ride the whole day. It is not for the faint of heart! Part of me wants to do a double at least once in my life, just so I can say I've done it. You have to start training for a double at least three months out, so maybe next year...
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Comments
Congrats on your first century! If you came through the Nicasio rest stop after 4:30 or so I may have seen you there!
Last year on the worker's ride we rode the hilly century, the one that goes over Mt. Tam and then up the coast along Route 1, and I can highly recommend it.
But you're going to want another one before then, I'm sure. Ya know, there are places to get water often enough along the way you could also just get a couple of folks together and go ride that course...
See ya out there!