General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Mapping a Half Century Ride Rss Feed  
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2013-01-15 9:24 PM

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Master
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Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Subject: Mapping a Half Century Ride
I am involved with laying ut a half century ride that is a fundraiser for an organization turning 50. The map that works the best is coming out to 55 miles.

For a non-race charity ride that is intended to be a half century, how important is it in the cycling community to make an exactly 50 mile ride? It would be advertisied with the accurate distance, but called a half-century. Would that be viewed by experienced cyclists as some sort of faux pas?



2013-01-16 12:43 PM
in reply to: #4580381

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Menomonee Falls, WI
Subject: RE: Mapping a Half Century Ride
Personally I wouldn't care.  In fact last year I did the Horribly Hilly Hundreds which touts it at 100K (62 miles).  It actually ends up being 68 miles, but nobody seems to care.  Most of the people doing that ride though are pretty experienced cyclists, so an extra 6 miles isn't a big deal even though these are VERY hilly miles.  In something like a half century ride, you may get more people who are trying to reach that distance for the first time, so they may get irritated by the extra mileage.  If there is any advertising or a webpage, it would probably be worth mentioning riders get a "bonus" 5 miles at the same great, low price!
2013-01-16 1:16 PM
in reply to: #4581265

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Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Mapping a Half Century Ride
sbsmann - 2013-01-16 1:43 PMPersonally I wouldn't care.  In fact last year I did the Horribly Hilly Hundreds which touts it at 100K (62 miles).  It actually ends up being 68 miles, but nobody seems to care.  Most of the people doing that ride though are pretty experienced cyclists, so an extra 6 miles isn't a big deal even though these are VERY hilly miles.  In something like a half century ride, you may get more people who are trying to reach that distance for the first time, so they may get irritated by the extra mileage.  If there is any advertising or a webpage, it would probably be worth mentioning riders get a "bonus" 5 miles at the same great, low price!

I like that. 10% free! In running and triathlon, the races had better be the exact distances or people complain heavily. I know cycle racing is even more serious, but I have no prior experience with casual charity rides.

2013-01-18 5:14 PM
in reply to: #4580381

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Subject: RE: Mapping a Half Century Ride
IMO, it's fine. Too long is probably better than too short.
2013-01-18 7:06 PM
in reply to: #4580381

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Southampton, Ontario
Subject: RE: Mapping a Half Century Ride
I did a charity ride last year and it was about 110miles instead of 100. No bike deal.
2013-01-23 4:03 AM
in reply to: #4580381

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Subject: RE: Mapping a Half Century Ride

For road cycling, especially racing, distances are not standardized as in triathlon.  The course dictates the length, not vice versa.

For something like a charity ride, make sure it's known that the ride is actually slightly longer than 50 miles for a half century. I've done plenty of half centuries with friends that were actually closer to 60 or 70 miles.



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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Mapping a Half Century Ride Rss Feed