Done my first century.
Discussion
WinstonWolf said:
A bike fit is money well spent. I've got odd length cranks which really helps but the one thing I would change is gearing. I've been up steep hills before but I had either MTB or CX gearing. If you've got road gearing it puts too much strain on the knees when you're grinding. I'd definitely fit a ridiculously low bottom gear if I did it again...
Or pick a flatter route if you can, though to be honest when going as far as 100 miles even a very flat route is going to still be around 2000-3k of climbing with small undulations, I suppose it may be different where you are, but even London to Brighton and back is over 5k feet and it only feels like you do one notable climb (Ditchling) but its the rollers that all add up over that length.
okgo said:
WinstonWolf said:
A bike fit is money well spent. I've got odd length cranks which really helps but the one thing I would change is gearing. I've been up steep hills before but I had either MTB or CX gearing. If you've got road gearing it puts too much strain on the knees when you're grinding. I'd definitely fit a ridiculously low bottom gear if I did it again...
Or pick a flatter route if you can, though to be honest when going as far as 100 miles even a very flat route is going to still be around 2000-3k of climbing with small undulations, I suppose it may be different where you are, but even London to Brighton and back is over 5k feet and it only feels like you do one notable climb (Ditchling) but its the rollers that all add up over that length.
I'd have been fine on a flatter route but hey, you don't always get the choice 
Start Slow End Fast!
Once you start going over 40/50 I find any issues with clothing, or bike fit really become apparent
My Brooks saddle is great for the commute, once I go above 30 miles in one sitting its like a weapon of arse destruction! If I angle it so it is comfy, it messes up my pedal stroke!
Once you start going over 40/50 I find any issues with clothing, or bike fit really become apparent
My Brooks saddle is great for the commute, once I go above 30 miles in one sitting its like a weapon of arse destruction! If I angle it so it is comfy, it messes up my pedal stroke!
Whereabouts did you accomplish this feat? Was it an organised event? Where is the link to your Strava feed?
I ask because I'm out injured at the moment and haven't ridden since the beginning of February, so I'm jealous of anyone who's riding any distance anywhere right now.
I did my first century solo, without support and very much unplanned. It was also in the days before I acquired a Garmin, but it was hard work, despite being mainly flat (Saffron Walden to Ely then back via Newmarket). The problem with going solo is the food issue - I coped by stopping for fishcake and chips on the way up, then a sandwich at a garage on the edge of Soham on the way back.
I'd planned to enter some organised events this year, and to be doing multiple century rides by now, but 3 months (nearly) off the bike has knocked my fitness right back down again.
Congratulations on this first one though. Now you know you can complete it, you'll no doubt want to try some more
I ask because I'm out injured at the moment and haven't ridden since the beginning of February, so I'm jealous of anyone who's riding any distance anywhere right now.
I did my first century solo, without support and very much unplanned. It was also in the days before I acquired a Garmin, but it was hard work, despite being mainly flat (Saffron Walden to Ely then back via Newmarket). The problem with going solo is the food issue - I coped by stopping for fishcake and chips on the way up, then a sandwich at a garage on the edge of Soham on the way back.
I'd planned to enter some organised events this year, and to be doing multiple century rides by now, but 3 months (nearly) off the bike has knocked my fitness right back down again.
Congratulations on this first one though. Now you know you can complete it, you'll no doubt want to try some more
Its a milestone a lot of cyclists want to achieve .... but not all centuries are alike. You're far better off setting off with a century planned out in terms of the route, food and of course your initial speed. Set off too quickly and you could find yourself in trouble, particularly if there are some decent climbs (we've all been there!). Its all a learning process though.
On long rides, I used to climb far too quickly, depleting my energy levels at the top or later on in the ride. I know approach them at a steadier pace which gives me more in reserve. The seconds lost on the climbs is gained on the flats.
On long rides, I used to climb far too quickly, depleting my energy levels at the top or later on in the ride. I know approach them at a steadier pace which gives me more in reserve. The seconds lost on the climbs is gained on the flats.
Possibly you've already considered this, but road gearing wise - you can acomodate a compact (34 front ring), and a 28 cassette on a standard 'road' setup with a short cage mech; that gives you a getting on for mountain bike like spinning option at the bottom without changing much - I was running exactly that while I was having knee issues.
WinstonWolf said:
yellowjack said:
WinstonWolf said:
It was the Peterborough Ride 100. Look on the PH part of Strava yesterday, I'm the one doing 100 miles 
Is that yesterday's medal in the profile pic, Rob? Mint, bruv!
yellowjack said:
WinstonWolf said:
yellowjack said:
WinstonWolf said:
It was the Peterborough Ride 100. Look on the PH part of Strava yesterday, I'm the one doing 100 miles
Is that yesterday's medal in the profile pic, Rob? Mint, bruv!upsidedownmark said:
Possibly you've already considered this, but road gearing wise - you can acomodate a compact (34 front ring), and a 28 cassette on a standard 'road' setup with a short cage mech; that gives you a getting on for mountain bike like spinning option at the bottom without changing much - I was running exactly that while I was having knee issues.
Just had a look, I've got 34/28, looks like I'll need 34/30 if I'm going to hit hills of that magnitude again 
Any hills near you, that you can practice on? I'm guessing not
34/30 is Ok, but you get so little for your pedal stroke I only used it on a 25% climb on a heavy steel bike. I prefer my 39/26 lowest on my other (much lighter) bike.
I would work on hill climbing, 34/28 should get you up most things up to 16% climbs if you arent a strong climber
34/30 is Ok, but you get so little for your pedal stroke I only used it on a 25% climb on a heavy steel bike. I prefer my 39/26 lowest on my other (much lighter) bike.
I would work on hill climbing, 34/28 should get you up most things up to 16% climbs if you arent a strong climber
Hills? I live in the fens.... If I was to do 100 miles on my commute I would do a total of 85 feet, yes, feet! of climbing
I've got the wonkiest knees ever to straddle a pushbike, I need lower gearing than normal. I'll probably just get another chainset for when I know there's gonna be some climbing
I live in the fens.... If I was to do 100 miles on my commute I would do a total of 85 feet, yes, feet! of climbing I've got the wonkiest knees ever to straddle a pushbike, I need lower gearing than normal. I'll probably just get another chainset for when I know there's gonna be some climbing
WinstonWolf said:
Just had a look, I've got 34/28, looks like I'll need 34/30 if I'm going to hit hills of that magnitude again
Hmm.. in that case, I think the options are:Heading triple (major agro)
Sram do a 2x10 with a 32-11 cassette - prob won't work with a standard mech & shimano/sram mechs are not cross compatible.
Or look at a mountain bike cassette - you'll probably need a medium or long cage mech to accommodate the gear difference, possibly a mountain bike mech - also beware of what the max sprocket size is, I'm pretty sure there isn't enough radial clearance between the (short) road cage to accept much more than a 28 cassette, I had to flip the b-screw on mine to get that to work cleanly. I'm 90% sure the mountainbike mechs pull the same amount of cable as the road ones, so should be OK with road levers.
ETA:
I don't think you can go much (any?) smaller than 34 on a road crank. Problem is it gets smaller than the bolt circle.
Also, IIRC from another thread Winston, you have knee issues that mean it's worth finding a solution? - otherwise the advice would be to HTFU, certainly once you've got to 34/28
Edited by upsidedownmark on Tuesday 15th April 12:39
Did a cheeky century today with lunch at Goodwood Golf Club - quite funny to sit in the corner of a well respected club wrapped in lycra and covered in sweat! Nice potato and garlic soup with a couple of flat whites though!
All in preparation for 320 miles in 3 days next week..........wtf have I signed up for?,.......bugger all in comparison to my mate who is riding 1,700 miles in 17 days!!
All in preparation for 320 miles in 3 days next week..........wtf have I signed up for?,.......bugger all in comparison to my mate who is riding 1,700 miles in 17 days!!
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