First century completed....chuffed!
Discussion
Decided last night that I was going to do a big ride. Upped my miles to 100miles a week for the last 4 weeks and started to feel much fitter. Done about 700miles this year so not a huge amount.
So today I went for it and did 105miles solo. The 100miles took just over 5hrs 30mins averaging 18mph - it wasn't particularly hilly I did 4800ft of climbing.
Chuffed to bits and glad I got out in the lovely weather!
So today I went for it and did 105miles solo. The 100miles took just over 5hrs 30mins averaging 18mph - it wasn't particularly hilly I did 4800ft of climbing.
Chuffed to bits and glad I got out in the lovely weather!
I didn't have breakfast before I went as it was early so I had a stash of SIS energy gels and a bar. So I just took one of those each 40-50mins which kept me going strong. It's the first time I've ever used energy gels and to be fair I am mighty impressed.
Felt brilliant, let off a big shout at 100miles! My post ride milkshake has never tasted so good.
I called my younger and much fitter brother when I was half way round (he had a heavy night and didn't want to come out early). He was motivated by my ride and is currently out doing almost the exact same route. He called on a piss break at 60miles and he'd averaged 19.6mph to that point - be interesting to see how he finishes up.
But dizzee get on out there, feels good when you are done! BUT make sure you take enough food/energy or you'll be done by 60-70miles.
Felt brilliant, let off a big shout at 100miles! My post ride milkshake has never tasted so good.
I called my younger and much fitter brother when I was half way round (he had a heavy night and didn't want to come out early). He was motivated by my ride and is currently out doing almost the exact same route. He called on a piss break at 60miles and he'd averaged 19.6mph to that point - be interesting to see how he finishes up.
But dizzee get on out there, feels good when you are done! BUT make sure you take enough food/energy or you'll be done by 60-70miles.
Usget said:
Well done OP! Couldn't have picked a better day for it yesterday. I did my second ever century, similar pace to you but only half the climbing. After advice from people on here, I've bought a few High5 Race boxes and used the gels and energy drink tablets yesterday, and finished the 103 miles with no cramps or aches (other than shoulders). I used to be a bit sceptical, thinking they were a bit of a gimmick - but they really work.
Edit: Do you, too, have amusing tan-lines today?
They are awful, they have been developing over the last few weeks.Edit: Do you, too, have amusing tan-lines today?
I have just been out on 15-20mile recovery ride (gentle spin) and it looks like I have another new set of lines from the jersey I was wearing today!! Going to look like a right pillock in the summer!
dave0010 said:
I can finally join this club now!! well I think so anyway. Today was the first time I've done 100km ride.
It was a wiggle event in the wye valley. Just over 6000ft of climbing too. I had only planned on riding the short route but ended up doing the standard. I felt strong for the first 50 miles but some endless climbs really tested me, Now I've done it I just want to push myself further. I was shattered after mind. After a stop in Tesco on the way home for food by the time I got home I had to have a nap!!
I guess that was just due to my body not being used to that length of ride?
I don't know whether you made a typo but we're on about 100miles, so 160km!It was a wiggle event in the wye valley. Just over 6000ft of climbing too. I had only planned on riding the short route but ended up doing the standard. I felt strong for the first 50 miles but some endless climbs really tested me, Now I've done it I just want to push myself further. I was shattered after mind. After a stop in Tesco on the way home for food by the time I got home I had to have a nap!!
I guess that was just due to my body not being used to that length of ride?
Regardless 100km with 6000ft must have a been a decent ol' ride.
dave0010 said:
russy01 said:
I don't know whether you made a typo but we're on about 100miles, so 160km!
Regardless 100km with 6000ft must have a been a decent ol' ride.
Ye I know you are but don't steel my moment Regardless 100km with 6000ft must have a been a decent ol' ride.
and no it wasn't a typo. Hopefully by the end of the summer it will be 100 miles not kilometres If you can keep a decent pace up for 60miles and 6000ft then I expect a flat 100miler isn't out of the question?
thenortherner said:
I did my first century 2 weeks ago as part of the Cotswolds Spring Classic Sportive.
Today I've beaten that already! I did the Somerset Gran Fondo 200K, so 124 miles with 7500 ft of climbing and a particularly nasty 1:4 1 mile long climb. I managed to ride it all, no getting off and walking despite some of the inclines. Not a great average speed though, but still chuffed.
Whaaat!!!! I didn't realise the gran fondo was this weekend!!! I thought it was the end of May!! bToday I've beaten that already! I did the Somerset Gran Fondo 200K, so 124 miles with 7500 ft of climbing and a particularly nasty 1:4 1 mile long climb. I managed to ride it all, no getting off and walking despite some of the inclines. Not a great average speed though, but still chuffed.
ks really wanted to go along as I only live about 8miles from Cheddar gorge!pablo said:
The metric century is a good achievement, set a goal of 100kms then 100 miles, then 200kms, then 200 miles and so on.
For now I think I'll stick with the 100miles and try to get my time down OR add some hills. Whilst I like the idea of doing 125miles+ I don't really want to spend that much time in the saddle on my todd! 5.5hrs was long enough!! thenortherner said:
russy01 said:
Whaaat!!!! I didn't realise the gran fondo was this weekend!!! I thought it was the end of May!! bks really wanted to go along as I only live about 8miles from Cheddar gorge!
Afraid so. Seemed like a good turn out. Good weather for it too. I got the nutrition thing all very wrong this time and suffered from a thudding headache from mile 40 right through to the end.ks really wanted to go along as I only live about 8miles from Cheddar gorge!dave0010 said:
Question, does it still count as a century ride if you stop at say a cafe for some food? I want to push myself now to complete 100 miles but thats probably around 4000 calories used to do so. I know my body would suffer from this no matter how many orios and flapjack I have. Could I do say 50/60 miles, have a break then the other half an it still count as one ride?
Yea I stopped for about 20mins to buy some gels at about 55miles. Then stopped for 5mins at 85 miles for a pee and to swap bottles over.Chap I know of did 100miles in 4hrs dead yesterday in a race!! Stuff that!
Jimbo. said:
Bananas, Soreen, Flapjack: anything easy to carry and eat. Don't be fooled with talk of energy gels: largely pointless unless you're racing.
I'm personally finding gels very effective, if they're a good enough source of energy in a race then I don't see how they're pointless elsewhere?Personally I'd try to eat something more natural so you can benefit otherwise nutritionally - BUT if you just want fuel to keep your legs turning then gels can be effective.
thenortherner said:
I'd assume the calorie calculation on my Garmin is pretty accurate since it uses heart rate and zone, age, weight and gender to work it out.
As per the screen shot on the previous page, I used 4k cals on a century and my heart rate and intensity was still well aerobic overall.
Mine says 5000, which is possibly a bit high. BUT I'm pretty sure it will be closer to 5000 than the less than 2000 the other chap said! As per the screen shot on the previous page, I used 4k cals on a century and my heart rate and intensity was still well aerobic overall.
yellowjack said:
Jimbo. said:
A banana comes in at 100-120 calories, a chunk of Soreen 90-100ish, a gel (Torq as an example) 114. The gel costs over £1 each, the Soreen 20p, the banana (I'm guessing) a touch more. It's also highly unlikely that you'll be needing to consume said calories quickly (one advantage of gels).
Banana is a touch less...@ 68 pence per kg, and 180 grams for a single (medium sized) 'nana, it works out at 12 pence per 'nana
...how do I know this crap? I bought a single 'Fairtrade' banana at Sainsbury's on the 26th April. It's still in the fruit bowl, with the 'weigh it yourself' barcode label on it.
Food for a longer ride? Mostly I take money, and stop off at chip shops, cafes, or buy sandwiches in garages. If I'm out and would 'miss' a meal, I try to replace it with 'proper' food. Or I'll buy sandwich bags, and take a couple of peanut butter of jam sandwiches (Graeme Obree school of nutrition
) in a jersey pocket, along with a couple of supermarket cereal bars to top it up. Wash it all down with Robinsons double concentrate, no added sugar squash, and the job's a fish. If you feel you might need a little more, take a couple of gels along. I used to, but seldom used them, so I no longer bother.On my ride I went out with a couple bars and some gels, that was it. The last thing I want to do when I'm sweating it out over the handle bars is to go crawling round a town looking for a chippy or a shop to buy a sandwich!!
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