First ever (metric) century!

[Pgd]

I've gotten pretty comfortable with ~35-40 mile rides in recent years, at a decent average speed of 14-15mph (my current Eddington is 31miles/45km). But when I push much beyond that, things start to fall apart -- my legs go (understandable) but also I start getting splitting headaches & nausea (less understandable, and very annoying). I live in Sussex near the L2B route, and most years I'll join the route unofficially near Turners Hill and peel off again the other side of Ditchling. More recently I've started doing the return journey too -- at a noticeably slower pace -- which in total adds up to ~50 miles (80km). A couple of years ago I planned a metric-century route from my house down to Shoreham via the Downs Link and back over Devil's Dyke, and took plenty of water and snacks; but even so, by the time I'd reached Saddlescombe Farm café (50 miles again!) I was done in, and had to abandon at the nearest station. It was super hot that day, though.

This time my planned route took me from Rotherfield following the Avenue Verte down the Cuckoo Trail to Eastbourne, then across to Cuckmere via Beachy Head and Birling Gap, then back via country lanes. I took it steady, and began stopping more frequently once I noticed fatigue setting in and a headache forming. It was still painful by the end, but I certainly wasn't done in -- after a bit of a rest I was fine to drive home and take part in usual family evening activities. Best part of 8 hours elapsed time, but still counting it as a win!

I'd be interested to know if anyone suffers similarly from headaches in particular, because that's what really finishes me off rather than muscle fatigue per se (although I guess the two are related). I also think it's particularly my head that overheats, because I repeatedly doused myself in water this time and that also seemed to help. I typically cycle ~40 miles per week (4x ~10-mile commutes); not nothing, but not as much as some.

Imperial century next??


ETA: Because my phone battery's not the best, I dusted off my old Garmin eTrex 20x... but also ended up using a stand-alone tracking app (OSMTracker) on my phone anyway. I was interested to see how the traces would compare. Both were perfectly adequate, but if anything my phone seemed to be slightly more accurate in places! Phone tech has come a long way 🤓

 

[Punkawallah]

Congrats!
Eat and drink regularly. I stop and get off every half hour or so for a bite and a sip, it improved my experience no end.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Excellent, well done.

 

[a.twiddler]

Well done! A headache suggests dehydration. It's easy to get dehydrated without realising it. If you start well hydrated, a little but often should keep you going.

As for being able to do the distance, it might be easier to pace yourself to start with, accepting a lower average speed until you can do the longer distances more easily, then work on increasing speed later. Not so easy if you like to ride in a group, but if you are OK with solo rides it's easier to manage. I'm not particularly fast myself, but I do like to do longish solo rides when I can.

 

[Alex321]

Well done!

I've only done one metric century to date, but I didn't suffer the sort of problems you are talking about. As said above, make sure you stay hydrated - and preferably add an electrlyte tablet to your bottle, particularly if it is warm enough you will be sweating a lot.

 

[Dogtrousers]

On longer rides I always like to have at least one proper sit down for lunch. Normally just on a bench. Sometimes at a pub or cafe.

 

[ianrauk]

Congrats. Onwards and upwards.

 

[Mo1959]

I get exertion headaches, especially when my fitness is lower and I try and do too much. Mine are inclined to come on later, eg I had a little run this morning after not running for a while and feel a headache building up a bit now. From what I’ve read, they are supposed to be less troublesome the fitter you get. I try and drink plenty. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it makes no difference.