Ouchhhh mentally that must hurt so bad. Been there with 60 miles at night originally going 40... no fun. Can’t imagine going 80 to 120. It breaks everythinggg.
When I did my first century last year we decided from the start that every 10 miles we would stop for a couple minutes. At first I figured we wouldn't need to stop that often. But as the day went on and we climbed more and more I looked forward to the next 10 mile stop. Don't be afraid to take breaks. It still counts even if you don't do all 100 miles without getting off.
I did my first hundred miler last year at 63 years of age so anyone can do it. The more you sort your training, nutrition and hydration beforehand the less you suffer during the ride and the two or three day afterwards😊
I wouldn't say that. I came down with lupus some time ago, and I couldn't ride more than a few blocks without feeling absolutely destroyed for a couple weeks. With a lot of self care and patience, I've been able to get myself mostly back in order, but I'm still far away from doing a century without causing a flare up, ruining a few weeks, and losing a bunch of hair.
I did my first 100 miler in November. I rode with a group of friends with various levels of experience (most more than mine) and here are my takeaways: 1) ride your own pace. It's easy to get caught up when someone takes the lead and gets cruising at a pace higher than your base pace. The converse of that is being at the front and feeling like you need to pull... hard... because there is a pack of people on your wheel. Especially into a headwind. You WILL pay for this later. 2) eat eat eat. The GCN crew's advice on feeding is spot on. I didn't eat enough, getting caught up in the early part of the ride and then also thinking I should conserve. I paid for that too in the last 40 miles. 3) make sure that your entire kit is up to the weather conditions. Cold weather can really take it out of you faster than you expect. 4) don't be afraid to make a pit stop, stretch, walk around a bit, etc. Just don't get too comfortable. In the end, I made my goal, am proud of myself, and created something of a small tradition amongst some friends (The "Fall Back Century" on daylight savings day in Nov.). Now to get the fitness to a level where 100 isn't just doable, but regular. Cheers.
The bowl of pasta was plenty....the porridge was a little lacking, but when you add some nuts, fruit and honey - how many calories are you looking to take on in the morning of the ride? Filling your glycogen stores begins before the night before your century....and has more to do with tapering activity leading up to the big ride than what you eat.
I do 160 km quite regularly by now. Started with increasing distance slowly, from about 50 km up. And as long as I get the fuelling right, it is an exhausting but nice experience. It is also just about the length of the shortest route around Lake Constance, which is an hour drive by car from my home. Very much flat, scenic, and outside tourist season, you can ride at speed most of the time. Not that I would have any, my best time around that was a bit over 6 hours. But I am a 51 year old Clydesdale that hasn‘t ridden a bike for 20 years until 10 years ago, not even for shopping.
Thanks so much for this video, GCN!!! Tips about hydrating and pacing were very helpful in helping me complete my 1st Century ride earlier this week. I’m 62 years old, 6’1” 240 pounds and had both knees replaced last year. #youcandoit!
I’m only 2-month old in biking and did my first 111 Cent M few days back. Learned a lot from this channel, it really helped me train and plan properly to achieve my goal. Salamat GCN! 🇵🇭
Boy! You can tell that from the mountaintops! I’ve tried just about everything to try and calm that area down, seat height, handlebar height, seat fore and aft, sit bone analysis, The only real reliable relief is rest stops and standing up in the pedals.
I had no difficulty completing my first century yesterday. I didn't push myself, except at the end when I had to get up some hills to get home, I stopped several times for water, along the way, I stopped for a sandwich (and water) at lunch and a cookie (and more water) at about 70 miles. I'm 68 years old and I've only been riding road bikes for 4 months, but I didn't find it as difficult as I thought it would be. One bit of advice learned the hard way: keep in mind that you will be out of doors all day. I missed one spot on the back of my leg with the sunscreen and that little spot is very sunburned today.
I completed my first century ride yesterday. I have been building up to this ride for the last 15 months. From a 5 mile ride I thought would end in a heart attack to several 50 miles and longer rides. This video, and the many other long ride videos you have done over the years were a perfect blue print for my successful first attempt. Pasta the night before, oatmeal for breakfast, a constant pace, fueling every 30 minutes (set computer lap counter at 30 minutes for a built in reminder), and proper hydration. I was feeling better at the end of my century than I did at the end of my first 20 mile ride the year before. Thank you for being my pandemic cycling coach. Now you challenge me with a double-century!?! O.K, maybe next year.
The hardest thing about riding your first 100 miles is the discipline. Discipline not to eat too less or much. Drink less or much, or ride slow or fast too much. When I was reaching 100miles, I told to myself I'll never do that again. And here I am training for my next one haha. Cheers from Japan!
Did my first century on a fixie I think I was running 48/12? From downtown Atlanta to the Alabama border... totally on a whim with two friends. We slept under a bridge and hopped a train back to atl... we did it on the power of wine youth...we all wore jeans and t-shirts... got stormed on... miserable... best ride ever!
I did mine on a mountain bike with roadie tires... I had energy cubes gaterade and water ... I also used knee pressure wraps .. solo for the most part until some other century riders caught up to me on the last 15 miles where I happily took up on their wheel ... It was a 80-90*F day ... I survived 😁
Here in Texas we have a two day ride of around 160 miles with the first day being 100 miles to support MS. I have done it many times and think that this video gives all of the major things you have to know. I will add a comment that you should select your equipment, kit and nutritional items at the start of your training and don't make any changes unless absolutely essential. The day of the ride is absolutely not the time to try a new kind of nutrition jell or anything like that because a stomach ache can kill you. That cool new saddle that you buy the week before the ride can kill you. I would also add that I have seen many riders who seem to take a really long time to finish but credits to them because they realize that despite all the difficulties and pain, you just have to keep pushing and you will get it done.
I've done a 100km ride by mistake one's, so what happened is i was with a group of cyclists and we were doing century rider, it was an event and i was gonna do 50km ride but as i was riding with some people i didn't knew that i was following 100km riding group. Soo basically when i reached home and checked the distance and stuff on my phone, it was 117km in total. So during the whole ride i thought i was doing 50km but i did 100km, now that i think about it i don't know if i would have done it if i knew I'm doing 100km but I'm really happy that i did it. And I've been cycling for a year almost everyday, doing 30 to 25km and i think that's what's helped me.
Bro this is measured in miles. According to google you did 60 plus miles. So you had fun but just for training purposes. I love riding and would like to challenge you to reach a 100 miles. I only do 16 daily but have reached like 30 miles with no stops. Like how am i gonna pass up a slice of pizza and drink for $5? Good cheers from Las Vegas, Nevada!
@@tonyavila4751 bro here in india we measure in kilometres, and i didn't comment to brag but just share my experience that's all. And I'll take your challenge not to prove anything but to see if i can do it or not, I'll change from km to miles the next time i go for a ride. But continue riding be safe enjoy this awesome sports. Cheers buddy from Mumbai India😉!
@Toby Burkhalter Yeah!!! I was really surprised and proud of myself. I'm going to do it again in the future for sure, maybe longer distance but i will. And thanks for your kind reply!!👍🏽😃
@@tonyavila4751 Man even i love Nevada and all the deserts, i just want to either drive or ride my bike and have some good old county music... Just the BEST!!!. I've never been to US but i get a opportunity I'm going to no doubt, And This could be a start to something big hopefully in the future. Who knows! And my facebook is just.. Siddhant Goenka. Hope to talk to you soon there!!😉😃
Doing my first 100miler in November. I'm on week 2 of my training plan. My area is not known for being cycling friendly but I am determined. Thank you for the tips!
A great video. I’m back in training after an accident where I was taken out by a car doing 70mph. I’m training for a 100 mile sportive at the end of June. Followed by a 450 mile ride in July. 🚴🏻🚴🏻🚴🏻
I just did my first century yesterday. The last 20 miles was tough and the heat here in San Antonio, TX was brutal. I completed it in 6hrs and 47 min. I stuck with liquids/gels the last half. It was quite an experience!
I started cycle commuting last year and targeted the 148km round the mountain road race in NZ for my first big ride. Managed it in 4h 45m, very pleased and a beautiful ride!
100 miles is one of the first BIG Goals if you are new to cycling. But after that you are looking for new challanges. For me it was 1 over 1k week. After a lot of years in the saddle I did my first over 1000 km/week. Was on a holiday trip from northern germany to Roubaix and back to cologne. 7days (3days riding, one rest day and 3 days riding). Afterall I had 1250 km on my clock. Impressive week and it gave me a HUGE fitness improvment after the following recovery week.
Last year I did my first (almost) century ride ever ( around 155km), with some 2000m of climbing in around 6h pure riding time (half hour break on Lakeside). It was a gravelish ride on mixed terrain, though I have to state the last 50km was pure tarmac. Unfortunately I forgot my purse, so i couldn´t buy any food or even a coffee and I didnt bring any bars or liquids with me. So I totally had to rely on water and some candys ppl gave to me. But what a beautiful day it was. To beautiful to suffer. So I am so looking forward to my first 200+ km ride this year, already training hard. If anyone wants to join just message me here. I live in the southeastern part of Bavaria, next to the Chiemsee.
I’ve ridden 60-80 miles many times. My friends told me, if I could ride 80, I could ride 100. Well, I did my first this past May 2023 and my second the following week with friends. I’ve ridden another this past 😮July. Now I plan to ride 7 more this year. At 70 that’s a epic plan. Peanut butter and Jam Sandwiches for refueling with fig newtons for snacks. And yes, several coffee stops along the way are crucial to a century success. As a century veteran I found it all about Pacing, Pacing, Pacing, good quality food and plenty of hydration and if available, great friends to ride with. A solo century can be a bit tough. ❤
I did my first 100 miler in December last year. I decided on a spiderweb style route where I was never more than 20Km from my "base camp" where I had all my bike spares and extra food etc. stored in my car. Chocolate milk was a lifesaver in the last 30Km when the energy drinks and gels all start tasting the same! I would say that second to nutrition, would be pacing. My strategy involved monitoring my HR on longer training rides to find the right zone that let me go fast enough to minimize time spent in the saddle, without burning too many matches early on. Awesome video GCN team! The new presenters are doing very very well! Keep up the good work!
My first 100mi was actually 122mi, I lived a 20mi ride from work (one way) while living in Tucson AZ, I was in a state of mind that I didn't know existed. Now that I live in Colorado Springs CO, I find it challenging enough to do 60mi. I'm acclimated to the altitude perfectly, I hope this summer I can hit that 100mi or more mark. Ride safe everyone.
Hi Mikey, I live in Colorado Springs as well! We should get extra points for starting off above 5,000 feet. I’ve recently done a 50 miler that started in Fountain, Colorado, wound around the airport and then back down through fountain on Old Pueblo Road to the Raceway and back. I hurt so bad that day. Lol. Anyways I thought to myself why would anyone want to do that again let alone 100 miles. But when I considered the altitude and the hills involved I think maybe at a lower altitude and a flatter route I could handle it much better. What are you planning to do for your century?
I rode 103 miles on my 71st birthday...Trained by leaving the bike at home and going skiing in Colorado...Grub was a bacon buttie for breakfast, a subway for lunch and 6 granola bars in between. Finished off with a few pints and fish and chips!
4:44 - My first centuries were done in inexpensive cycling shorts/bibs off of ebay. On my second or third century, the chamois pad (actually, I believe it was the stitching thread around the pad) had worn through all the skin, and was down to bare flesh, on each of my buttocks by mile 85. I thought the pain was what the other cyclists doing the century were all feeling, and that that was why centuries were considered 'tough.' My legs were fine, but it really hurt to sit. :-) Took me a few tries, but I settled on Louis Garneau shorts / bibs, as even their entry-level shorts have outstanding chamois pads. The most common issue on centuries with friends seems to be flats. It might behoove a rider to bring two tubes for a century, even if only to give one to a mate who didn't fix the issue for their flat the first time they tried.
Just did a 100 mile ride on a cheap freaking hybrid bike with fat tyres. Have not used a bike in over 20 years, have not been to the gym ever, and a smoker. Bought the 14kg bike 1 month before the event, really didn't think I could make it... It took me 9 and a half hours and I was in absolute agony the whole way thru. It was all up and down with seriously tough hills Leicester to Oxford. Surprisingly enough it did not put me of biking. I've stopped smoking and plan to get a proper road bike and do some serious training. If I can do it, anyone can. Yeah, I know 9 and a half hours is nothing to brag about... But I'm happy with myself
Good information and great entertainment all in one. My first century ride was in 1977 while I was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Lovely weather but hillier than you would expect. Doing a metric century pus 8 miles to celebrate my birthday next month.
I did my first 100 miles back in June. It was from St Albans to Cambridge and back again. I did stop a few times for snacks but by the time I got to the cafe in Cambridge the kitchen had closed so I had to make do with a coffee!
My first 100km was just last weekend and as an avid cyclist being just starting high school, I wanted something to enjoy in my free time. I first started road cycling a year ago and I’ve grown to love it I’d do 25km a month and add 25km more every time. I’m currently planning on a 200km in a week 😅
My first 100 mile ride was to meet some mates camping in Cornwall. I had the tent, so I had to get there. Bonked 2 miles from the campsite! Luckily I was also carrying the food, so a good feed later and I rolled into where we were staying. I did the ride solo as I didn’t fancy riding over Dartmoor fully laden, so I chose less hilly but longer route around it. The second time was a 24h MTB marathon.... not done one since!
After a little training, plan a bike packing tour across the country, just eat, sleep, go bike riding, eat ... and you will see that a day has many hours to complete a century (or even two).
Or even 400 km/250miles. 100 miles is a nice goal, but not that far after all. Just eat and drink in time and when you keep going you will easily make it.
150km is quite daunting if anyone is stopping and looking at it from a comfortable couch... But usually we attack it from the small hills of a 90km or 100km normal ride :D Jokes apart, I remember thinking how crazy it sounded to do 150km in a day... Now I do it every month crossing the alps when I want to go visit my parents on a more entertaining route...
Perfect timing! I am coming off a pretty serious accident (all better now). I've set a goal of riding my first 100 miles this year. Manon mentioned increasing each ride by 5 miles as a way to build up to the 100. A couple of questions about that: -- How long should I train before I make the attempt? 30 days, 60 days, 90 days? -- At what point should I 'go-for-it'? 60, 70, or 80 mile distances? -- How often should I train? 3 days, 4 days, 5 days a week? A couple more bits: -- My personal best distance is 65 miles (last year). -- I am 63 yrs old. -- I starting riding 3 years ago. Thanks for all the great help and inspiration! Cheers.
There are a number of different detailed plans available if you search for them but they all follow the same basic structure similar to this one www.cyclinguk.org/cycle/training-100-mile-ride
Great Video. I did a 102 mile ride this past Sunday. I'm on a Race Across America team for June 2020 and 100 milers are on the schedule about every three weeks.
First hundred miler was self supported. Brought lots of food in my jersey and a saddle bag with tubes and tools. Ended up getting 114 miles when my longest prior to that was 50. 😁
Longest I've gotten was about 48 miles - nearly half way there! But it became obvious that I really needed to start taking my route into deeper consideration to get those extra miles, as I ended up getting lost and stopping a lot to check the gps on my phone. Still determined to get that century in someday.
I did it once on a 1995 Trek Antelope (830?) 26" MTB using the stock 3x8 gearing on 1" Armadillo slicks. In August, it took me 12 hours and I only had one flat. I got a car ride back ;). Its a good thing that Delaware is flat.
I completed my first 100 miles last week, I didn't prepare a route or anything, I just calculated the route in my head as I went, I hit exactly 100 miles as soon as I crossed my driveway, pretty proud of that. But I agree it is better to prepare the route before you go out.
Lots of useful tips, as a rider with two knackered knees and heart problems I use an ebike. Never likely to do a century but in training for a two day 80 mile charity ride in memory of my mum. 40 miles for me is probably similar to a normal person doing a century so video was good.
Bought a bike in February. Rode just over 120 miles over 6 weeks with longest being 35 miles and set out on a 4 day group ride covering over 500 miles (96, 123, 136 and 158)
hi guys ive recently started following you guys i love all your tips they are really helpful . My name is Adrian and yesterday i did my first century .It was an amazing eperience thanks for everything
Funny - I watched all these and more and agree with most of the tips. When it came time, I didn't do many. Training slacked before, didn't fuel the best before or during, did have a good clean tuned and lubed bike, but no bike shorts, started out too fast, big lunch not mostly carbs, and pushed through before sunset to make 100 miles. Legs were hurting, but it was great. Don't try to be perfect, but do try to do it.
My first Century was by accident. Group took a wrong turn on an 80 mile ride. I learned the hard way. This May I will be doing my first Gravel Century.
My tips for your first century, from a slow skinny weak rider who has still accomplished a century and some long hilly sportives :-) - it's a marathon not a sprint, cruise at 85% of your normal speed to avoid running out of puff - freewheel on any descents to rest your legs - take some anti-inflammatory tablets with you if you get sore knees etc - if you don't like riding with your hands off the bars to reach into a jersey pocket, buy a top tube bag, cut your muesli bars into bite sized pieces, and put them in a plastic bag you can easily access with one hand - if you have no cycling buddies who wish to join you, but if you do a weekend group ride of say 50km or more, that's the perfect start for a century. Cruise with your group, get the aero boost, then you're 1/3 or 1/2 way to your goal before you go solo - what works for me is taking one of those bite sized energy bar pieces every 20-30 minutes, swapping in a gel on the hour. Too many gels and not enough solid food on my first big sportive almost had me throwing up! But everyone is a bit different.
I'm doing my first 100 miler in June. I entered in October and am half way through my training plan from 5 mile mile commuter rider to no sweat 100 miler. Longest training ride so far was about 50 miles and that was relaxed so the training has go well (so far). Getting the fuelling right is my biggest concern and I always have a 2/3 minute food break every 10 miles to build up the habit. I will be targeting 6 hours on the bike plus stopping time on the day.
Nutrition and mainly liquids are often my weak point unless of course doing the many great organized centuries that thankfully abound us. After all of my years of riding I may have to break down and purchase the camelbak to supplement my frame bottle system. I've done a lot of centuries and a lot of time in the saddle but my nutrition during that time does not jibe, i.e., yesterday morning at 7am I rode 65 hilly miles with nutritional intake of two bottles of liquids, one banana and one bar and no breakfast and I am 63 not old (right) but certainly not young. I guess I just enjoy the suffering, makes everything else so lovely.
I am currently training for my century just passed the 40 mile mark 10 mile a week added til I get to 80 then I know Ill be sorted the second weekend in November here we come
I did my first 100 mile ride with empty stomach and only 2 bottles with water for simulate the feelings of do the second half of a 200 mile ride. Later in the year I made a 200 mile ride and was prepared and finish that ride. In the 200 mile ride I had food and made 2 stop.
I did my first 100km ride last year, and then another and participated in the TDU challenge tour in January completing 162.2km just over 100 miles. Pity I stacked it on the line where all the cameras and crowds were.
It's possible to carry enough water if you use a large Camelbak combined with a couple of large frame-mounted water bottles. Might even stash another bottle in your back pocket. The longer you ride, the lighter you'll be. On my first attempt at a century, I made a wrong turn and rode 112 miles. By the next year, I rode a 5 hr century followed by one in 4 hrs. Of course, I was in my 30s back then around 1990...
On December 8, 2019, my 66th birthday, I rode 70 miles. I ride a carbon fiber 2 wheel recumbent. Schlitter Encore E20. I hope to build up to 100 miles over the next few months.
Mateo Zarandy good point. Some people really can’t cope with some sugars too. Having to dive into a bush because you can’t tolerate fructose doesn’t help :)
Most I've done is 74 miles. This was my first century attempt & it was last year. Ran out of fluids after 40 miles & got dehydrated. That's what beat me. Should've had that CamelBak backpack.
I did my first 100 mile ride last weekend. At 37 years old which is not that old but I’m No spring chicken either. Definitely a huge mental aspect to it.
looking forward to riding my first century this year! working towards a 160 mile ride in july so im going to try and get in at least 2 centuries before then. just need some warmer weather here in the northern US lol. still 20-30 degrees outside now unfortunately,
I have been riding for 30 months. I did my first Metric at 7 months. The next year I averaged 2 Metrics a month with my longest ride 80 miles. Last Fall I prepared for my first full Century riding up to 85 miles two weeks prior. The Sacramento Century on October 5th was flat, but windy. I was able to stay in groups for the first 30 miles. The next 30 were usually solo. I was able to join a group of 8 to paceline the last 40 miles into a headwind. The ride was 103 miles with a 15.3 mph average. This was one month prior to turning 69!
i have done this a few time last summer and swapped the cola with sparkling water (salt) and my body responded much better :) Also eating along the ride. and preperation is key before ever long ride
Started cycling last year, and tried my first hundred-miler at a local event. I made it 88 miles, and I lost track of all the damn things that were hurting when I finally caved. Well, now my entry got accepted for Dirty Kanza this year, so now it's not a matter of wanting to do it, it's having to just to try and get prepared for the 200-mile gravel grinder in Kansas. I'm stoked though.
I did my first 100k by getting lost. I did my second to prove to my mate that I could do it. We accidentally rode to the single "mountain" in Denmark, hungover as hell. Got a beer and a burger on the top, and had a hell of a ride home. Still talk of that brilliant day today. :D
Ha .... broke so many of those rules. Did a 101 mile sportive on no brekfast and an almighty hangover. Just had a bag of sweets in my pocket and went for it. Quite happy with finishing in just over 6 hours. Just get on with it ... its all in your head anyway! 😄
Actually it isn’t. A metric is kilometer 1 kilometer is actually 0.64 miles. So there is a simple conversion between kilometers and miles. Every 25 kilometers is 16 miles. 100 kilometers is actually 64 miles which is 36 miles short of an 100 mile ride. And 100 mile ride is 158 kilometers
I live in West Yorkshire, few miles away from Yorkshire Dales. I will make my attempt when the weather improves, so far my longest ride was 80 miles in YD...
My advice, if you're able, make your first 100 mile ride a supported ride event. My first was a "Tour de Cure" ride for the American Diabetes Association. It included event supported food and drink stops, support vehicles and most importantly a party at the finish!
