First century ride on the horizon

[Doyleyburger]

Having completed a sweet 65 mile route yesterday I decided shortly afterwards that the same ride needed to be extended.......so why not make it my first ever century ride.
I have done a 70 before, but I hit a wall at 60 miles and even though I made it home I really struggled to finish the ride. However yesterday I felt I could have carried on and eclipsed the 70 by a long way. It just so happened that my van was waiting for me at a friends house after the 65 miles.
The local cycling club that I joined last summer hasn't really been out and about over the winter months, so I thought I'd wake them all up with a post on their Facebook page. I got a good response and a lot of the group seem to be up for it.
Anyway.....iv been slowly working up to doing my first ton ride but now it's on the horizon (23rd) I'm a bit nervous about the whole thing, as I am the one who is organised it !!!
I guess what I'm looking for here is advice from you lovely lot on how to go about it ?
Plenty of refreshment stops is an obvious one but what about on board food and drink..... and anything else that might be important
Would appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks in advance

 

[Pikey]

Never done a century, plan to this year eventually, good luck on urs tho matey!

My only plan is to enjoy it and stuff my carradice bag full of pastys and malt loaf....

 

[Doyleyburger]

Never done a century, plan to this year eventually, good luck on urs tho matey!

My only plan is to enjoy it and stuff my carradice bag full of pastys and malt loaf....

I do like malt loaf

 

[Banjo]

Never done a century, plan to this year eventually, good luck on urs tho matey!

My only plan is to enjoy it and stuff my carradice bag full of pastys and malt loaf....

Which is in fact a pretty sound plan. The only thing I would add is a bag of jelly babies for an instant perk me up when feeling a bit weary.

To the OP Im sure you will complete it easilly provided you keep to a pace you are comfortable with and eat and drink plenty. Good Luck.

 

[Doyleyburger]

Yes a bag of jelly babies or haribo is a good idea. Also heard a bag of nuts are good to take along on a big ride ?
I can eat peanuts all bloody day but my drinks would probably empty a lot quicker than usual

 

[Pikey]

I do like malt loaf

I think it's sub 50p in tesco per loaf and scientifically proven to be guilt free above 50 miles.

Eat up!

 

[PpPete]

As others have said - take it gently.
Cake & tea stops (at least two) - where don't forget to fill your bidon.
Jelly babies.

And the ultimate get-out-of-jail-free-card: I don't hold with gels generally, but the Torq Banoffee with Guarana is miraculous if the last twenty are a struggle

 

[Banjo]

I like to have a full cooked breakfast about half way on a 100 then a cake stop later on.Everyone is different some people look at me aghast stuffing egg and black pudding etc down but it works for me.

 

[MikeG]

I did my first century for 25 years last year, and it was easier than I thought, even though I did it alone. It will be even easier for you guys in a group. I would suggest a cafe stop at about two thirds distance, but be disciplined about it.........too long and you'll stiffen up, and getting going again won't be easy. I stopped every 10 miles from 20 miles on, had a drink, a quick stretch, and a small flapjack. As I have said in another thread, this is rocket fuel for cycling. For the first 40 or 50 miles you'll feel that stopping is a chore, but having the regular fuel intake, and stretching away any stiffness before it sets in, really keeps the comfort and energy levels up for the last 20 or 30 miles of the ride.

Obviously the other big thing is to set off slowly. Don't head off like a bull at a gate, which is the big danger in a group. Spin up hills slowly for the first 30 or 40 miles. So, get plenty of miles in your legs in preparation, and start baking those flapjacks!

Good luck.

Mike

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Whenever I do 100+ mile rides I like to stop halfway round for an hour or so and have a meal and a rest, then I usually start looking for food again at the 80 - 90 mile mark.

Make sure you drink plenty of liquids and I usually make sure I have some snacks e.g. a bag of Haribo and some kind of snack bars. I also carry a couple of energy gels just in case.

Remember you are supposed to enjoy it

 

[Doyleyburger]

All sound advice guys.
Before Mondays 65 miler I was roped into 42 miles on the Sunday.
I thought I would take it out of me, but it seemed to have the opposite effect.
I might do a quick 20 miler the day before.....see if it works again

 

[MikeG]

.......I might do a quick 20 miler the day before.....see if it works again

Not the day before. Two or even 3 days before would be sensible.

 

[steveindenmark]

I did my first century last year. I did not plan it I just woke up to a nice day and went. I was on my Koga World Traveller, not some skinny road bike. I had fitted a new Brooks Imperial saddle the day before and had not sat on it. Lovely ride and a very nice saddle.

Top tips.

Leave early and don't worry about how many stops you make. It's a ride not a race.

Steve

 

[zizou]

If you do it at a measured pace (it doesnt need to be an easy pace just dont go hard up hills etc particularly early on) and remember to eat and drink then you'll do fine. There maybe be a part of the ride where you will struggle but have something to eat, maybe a break for a bit then keep plugging away and you'll come through it and feel good again. 60-80 miles is often the difficult part for many riders - Once you get past 80 though you feel like you are on the home straight and get a lift from that.

Not the day before. Two or even 3 days before would be sensible.

He'll be ok with a short ride the day before, for many it is quite beneficial to get a leg loosener in the day before a big ride or event.

 

[Sunny Portrush]

I`m going to attempt my first 100miler after the summer hols - need to build up to it lol. The most I`ve ever done before is 55miles and I managed to do that in a snip under 3 hrs. Now, I know I wont be able to do that pace over 100 miles so am prepared for a time that`s way more than twice 3hrs.

I`m doing it solo but plan to meet up with my wife half-way round so she can bring more liquids for me. I also plan to do it as a benefit for my cousin`s daughter so that should be motivation enough.

Any advice on what to drink tho apart from lots - surely I can`t get by on just orange squash??