First ever (metric) century!

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

Pgd

Veteran
Location
East Grinstead
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 🤓
 
Last edited:

Punkawallah

Veteran
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.
 

a.twiddler

Veteran
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

Guru
Location
South Wales
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.
 

Mo1959

Legendary Member
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.
 
OP
OP
Pgd

Pgd

Veteran
Location
East Grinstead
Thanks all. I always ride solo but I do tend to push on, so I just need to remember to back off, stop regularly and not worry about the average speed if I'm attempting a longer ride. "Exertion headaches" sounds exactly what I'm taking about -- thankyou!
 

MadMalx

Well-Known Member
Before assuming dehydration consider how much you are drinking. There have been well reported cases of drinking too much water (usually endurance runners) that will result in the similar symptoms. In extreme it can lead to collapse & even death.
if you need to drink lots then use electrolyte tabs.
 

Webbo2

Senior Member
Before assuming dehydration consider how much you are drinking. There have been well reported cases of drinking too much water (usually endurance runners) that will result in the similar symptoms. In extreme it can lead to collapse & even death.
if you need to drink lots then use electrolyte tabs.

As much as I agree with over hydration which causes more deaths than dehydration in athletes. Why does one need electrolyte tabs, you sweat you lose fluids faster than body salts. So you end up with a greater concentration of electrolytes in your blood. Maybe if you were cycling for a week in 40 degree heat you might to add some thing extra to your normal diet but in the real world you don’t.
 
Top Bottom