First Century

You can do it but you will probably be pretty sore and will need recovery time. If you have no other races or events coming up, I say go for it but I wouldn't trash a race to ride in the century. If you do ride, pick your own pace and make sure you hydrate and eat. If this is your first long event, probably more than 7 hours, you will be amazed at how much you have to eat and drink. Good luck.

Ernie

Go for it!!!!

Here's the thing you need to remember...
Once you pass the 2 1/2hr point, your body starts to work differently then say in your 40mi ride. During endurance events, your intestines will go into "hibernation" so blood can be supplied to you system. During this state, the normal person can absorb/replenish 240-300 kcal/hr. Yep, that's right. Anything over and above will not be processed, leading to gut rot, bloating, etc. DO NOT try to replace all the calories you are spending...trust me. It happened to me at IronMan WI last year...My wife thought I gained 10 pounds on the bike because I had some much gas and bloating. Also, I perscribe to the liquid nutrition regime. One, because I'm sensitive...GI Tract wise. Two, solid food requires more digestion, thus more blood goes to your GI tract, and away from the parts doing the work like your legs and brain.

On that note, just have fun and use it as a great learning experience. Stop when you need to, wave & thank all the volunteers, and SMILE

I guess I have a different take, why not build up and plan for next year's race or find another on in a few months.

I'm not into pain....I am training for my first century which will be November 19 in Tucson. I'm a member of Team in Training and the training plan builds to a long ride of 70 or 80 miles. There are lots of 40 milers.

I want to finish with a smile, albeit a tired smile, but I don't want to be in the last 10 miles, just wishing to get off the dang bike.

You say there are a lot of rides - I'd suggest doing a different one than the 100 miles. FWIW, I was doing about 30-35 miles before that 65 mile ride I did, and I was really toasted after about mile 50. Of course, there was that big stinkin' hill. So, I think it depends on what the course profile is. If it's hilly, I'd go for a shorter option, say 50-60 miles. If it's flat go for it, but realize you will be hurting from mile 80 on.

You can do it!! I did my first century ride last week and I never went over 56 miles in one shot prior to it. The key the fact that it is ride not a race. Go out and enjoy the ride. You can ride at a comfortable pace, meet and talk to folks, and work with different people. Make sure you stop at each rest stop and refuel. Another important thing is to not think of it as a 100 mile ride but a series of 20 or so mile rides between rest stops. Just make sure you eat and drink regularly throughout and have fun.

All the way dude!!!

Ok I have signed up for a Ride. It will be a Century however I am leaving the door open for it being a Metric century. Both rides are on the same route untill the 38 mile mark then the Metric turns for home. I think I will more than likely do the 62 miles but If I get to the 38 mile mark in around 3 hours and feel good I may go on. If I do the metric I will get back in time for Masage and lunch. don't think I will make either if I do the 100 miles. But we shall see. Either way it will be my longest ride to date.

Either decision is the correct one. have a blast !

You're probably in bed by now, but I'd recommend seeing how you feel and what the day may bring. I discovered organized bike tours this summer and have been all over Texas trying to turn myself into a biker. I've had Texas hill country rides where I was toast by mile 41 (of a 53 mile ride), had metric century rides which were totally easy, and the last, the Hotter 'N Hell 100 where we had an incredible tailwind for the last 20 or so miles and I ended feeling like I could have gone for 100 miles.

If you aren't raising $$$ for this, and it isn't your 'A' ride of the season, just see how the morning goes and be prepared to cut it short. Regardless, the one thing that has helped me in these rides is that I always start out riding slow behind slower riders (getting boxed in early and often). This has always given me lots of extra energy the last 10-20 miles. At the later rest stops, I usually see lots of folks just about dying.

Start easy, err on the side of caution (there are lots of bike tours out there), and try to finish strong. Regardless, have fun! Bike tours are a blast.