Conference noted::bicycle

    	Nancy,
    
    	I rode my first century in 1987. I decided I needed to ride
    	one before my 40th birthday, so I did.
    
    	It was very hot and humid (July), so that affected everything else.
    	From front door to front door, 8 hours. About 6.5 hours actual
    		riding time. I had some minor cramps in my quads.
    	I started too fast. I would recommend you start slow and see
    		how you feel. If you normally average 15 MPH on a long
    		ride, slow down to 13.5 or 14 MPH average.
    	I was toast when I walked in the house.
    	I felt pretty good the next morning.
    	Drink lots and eat lots.
    
    	Scott

    
    
    
    >    I am THINKING of doing a century this coming weekend - it is
    >    sponsored by the Seven Hills Wheelmen (Central Massachusetts).
    >    I know I can ride 60 - 65 miles without feeling much pain, however
    >    I am sure the last 40 miles will get increasingly more difficult.
    >
    >    Could you share your experiences about your first century?
    
    I did my first centry last September
    
    >    How did you feel?
    
    I felt fine. I was nervous (why? I don't know...) before the ride. 
    I had done 65 mile rides the two previous weekends and felt okay, but
    not great. I must have been mentally ready, though, because I 
    did not really start to wear down until about 85 miles. 
    
    >    How much did you train?
    
    About 80-90 miles weekly for at least 6 months leading up to the 
    day. 
    
    >    How was your time?
    
    About 7-7.5 hours. It poured rain the whole time. I'd wanted to do it
    in 6-6.5, but it just wasn't in me. 
    
    
    >    How was your time relative to your time for shorter distances?
    
    Much slower. My weekly rides were 17-18 mph (they are 19+ now). 
    I rode the century in about 14 mph or so. I was pleased to finish, 
    but disappointed that I took so long. 
    
    >    What did you bring?  (spare tube, pump, food, jacket...what else?)
    >    How often did you stop?
    Thats about it. I drank a lot of Gatoraide for calories.... but it 
    was raining a a bit cool and it made me want to "go to the woods"
    every half hour. Because of this, the only other stops I made were to
    refill the water bottles.
    
    
    
    >    Did you take Tylenol before and after?
    
    No. For as bad as I felt the last mile or two, I felt fine the next
    day. If you can ride 65 miles without feeling much pain, and if you 
    can mentally adjust for being on the road for 7-8 hours at a stretch,
    you should be alright. My rule of thumb is that you should be able 
    to double any distance that you can easily do... if you are mentally 
    prepared to go the distance. 
    
    Good Luck!
    
    
    doug
    

    It's not too different from running a marathon.  That is, you
    are all enthused during the first twenty miles and that tempts
    you to ride at an "enthusiastic" pace.  What you have to remember
    is that even if you don't feel discomfort at the begining, you
    are writing checks on a finite source of funds.
    
    What I do (this may not work for you) is roll out of bed, eat a
    good breakfast, and start the ride without a warm up.  I make
    the beginning of the ride my warm up.  That way, I'm not tempted
    to chase anyone to mile twenty, who will have forgotten me my mile
    eighty.
    
    r�

My first century was about four years ago and the routie was around the Quabbin
Reservior.  I thought that I was up for it as I had done a MS-150 tour earlier
in the summer.  I'd say that my biggest mistake was not eating properly during
the ride, and using old touring cycling shoes that did not have a very stiff
sole.  I didn't enjoy the last 25 miles, and finished slower than I would care
to admit.

Since then I've done a few more centuries around the Quabbin, it's an annual
mid-June ride for the club.  I've also been doing a century each month of this
year, and have done a total of 12 so far this year.  At this point I think of
them as just another ride.

If I think that I might be sore I'll take ibupropen (e.g. Motrin) before the
ride.  Acetominophin (Tylonel) doesn't have the anti-inflamitory properties that
ibupropen does.  I've been finding that I seldom have to worry about being sore
these days, so I'm not doing as good a job of keeping the manufacturers in
business as I used to.

I've done this course (I'm the ride coordinator for the Seven Hills Wheelmen).
There are some restroom facilities on the course that are listed on the cue
sheet.  There are enough hills on the course so that it's not a fast course, but
we didn't go out looking for the worst hills to be found when we put it
together.  The amount climbing done on the route is unavailable as no one has
measured it yet.  I expect that I will know it the day of the ride though.

If you think that you're going to be slow, then start early so that you don't
have to worry about running out of day light.  A change of mind and opting for a
shorter ride is possible as the 50, metric and 100 share a lot of the same
roads.  There were a couple of people who started a bit late last year, and
decided at the split that doing the metric was a better idea than doing the 100.

There are no "whimps".  Everyone who does a ride (even the 25) has met their own
challenge, gets a patch, and, most important, has a good time.

I look forward to meeting you on Sunday.

Rich

    My first century was two days ago, so the experience is fresh in my
    mind and legs.  The first 50 was fine; 50-80 was a bit of an ordeal;
    the last 20, I began to get excited about finishing and the wind
    helped.  I was very glad to be done.
    
    My "training" consisted of ~60-mile rides three of the preceding four
    weekends, and not much else.  In retrospect, I should have ridden more
    each weekend (more rides, not longer) and a bit during the week.  But
    it was enough.
    
    Time?  I wanted to get under 7 hours (rolling time) but didn't quite
    make it.  Total time was about 8-1/2 hours.  Rolling average was 14
    mph, compared to 16 for my last 50.  
    
    I was with another first-timer and we were both taking it easy, trying
    for a steady 15 mph average.  If I had started with a faster
    group, I probably would have gotten caught up in the excitement and
    been in real trouble by mile 70.  As it was, we just slowed down a
    little but kept on plugging.
    
    I brought the usual tire-fixing stuff, enough food (from the goodies
    provided by the club) to get to the 70-mile checkpoint, a big and small
    water bottle (I replenished the big bottle a couple of times and never
    got into the small), and warm clothing.  The clothing wasn't needed
    after 20 miles and went into the handlebar bag.
    
    We stopped every 20 miles or so, with a couple of unscheduled stops for
    nature and a flat.  I think I would have preferred to go 35 miles
    between stops, but no matter.  Keep the stops short!
    
    Eating and drinking on the road is really important.  Try to keep ahead
    of the curve by nibbling frequently, eating a banana before you think
    you need one, etc.  
    
    Also - it may sound obvious, but stay on course!  The arrowing on this
    route was not always obvious, and we had to pay careful attention to
    the route sheet.  I felt like the Tortoise - we were passed several
    times by the same duo after they had strayed off course.
    
    No drugs needed, other than coffee before and a Moosehead after I was
    safe at home.
    
    Try it! - if you're comfortable with 50-65 miles.  Just go for a steady
    pace a little less than your usual; don't worry about time.  The
    feeling of accomplishment stays on after the soreness has faded.
    
    (I *may* try the Seven Hills ride, if I'm around next weekend.)
    
    Andy

Greetings,

I love doing centurys! To me they are a wonderful example of:

1. Manageable challange. With a half-way decent bike, some amount
of serious training and a serious desire to complete the 100 miles
you should be okay. Especially after 70 miles with me it gets very
personel I really have to push myself.

2. Support people are all around. If you get a flat or have a accident
there are club people around to help. Also though generally people on 
a 100 miler aren't a very talkative bunch....They really will do things
to encourage you along. Recently I did a metric and I was poking along
and a group past me several times. They asked if I was okay etc because
I was so slow. At the end of the ride they got in about 5 minutes before me!

3. The route should be something of a challange. Eventually we ride all
the local routes. These routes are usually well thought out as opposed
to the training routes that you might put up with.

Advise?

1. Bring lots o' cash. Dollars are accepted everywhere! Hungry? Stop
at any convienance store and get a bag of chips.

2. Make sure NOTHING on your bike is wrong. A sqeak, wobble or rattle after
7 hours will have you goofy enough to enjoy working at ZKO.

3. Finally forget all baggage except for a serious water bottle and a 
tape player of some sort. I use a sony yellow sports 1/2 boom box. I
listen to books on tape while riding. 

Fred Mudgett

    HELLO FELLOW CYCLISTS 
                   
      MY FIRST CENTURY WAS DONE THIS YEAR(ELEPHANT ROCK CO. IN JUNE)ON A
    PERFECT DAY!THE COURSE WAS MODERATE COURSE UNTIL THE 85-90 MILE MARK.AT
    THAT POINT THEY THREW IN TWO HILLS OF 8%OR MORE WITHIN FIVE MILES OF
    EACH OTHER(OUCH!!)
     SIMILAR TO THE NOTE EARLIER,I WARMED UP BY JUST RIDING AND AFTER A FEW
    MILES I WAS READY TO HAMMER!(ADRENALINE SURGE!)FOR FOODAGE I BROUGHT
    4-5 BAGELS AND CARBO DRINK(CARBO GOLD)NIBBLED AND DRANK EVERY
    15MIN.(SET MY TIMER ON MY WATCH TO REMIND ME). 
     THERE WERE ABOUT 1,500 RIDERS THAT DAY,BUT OUR PACELINE CONSISTED OF
    THREE(MYSELF INCLUDED)AND HAD AN AVERAGE OF 19-21MPH(UNTIL HELLHILL 1@2
    AND I CRAMPED ON THE LAST HILL!
     WE STOPPED ONCE TO RELIEVE OURSELVES AND REFILLTHE BOTTLES(STOP ONLY
    10 MIN.SO YOUR LEGS DON'T GET COLD)AT 65 MILES.I'LL NEVER FORGET THE
    FEELING OF RIDING WITH HUNDREDS OF CYCLISTS GAVE ME!!
     THE LOW POINT OF THE RIDE CAME WHEN I FLATTED WITH 2 MILES TO GO(IT
    WAS A FRONT SO I RODE THAT PUPPY BACK TO BASE!!)I WANTED TO FINISH
    BEFORE 5HRS 30MIN MARK AND SQUEAKED IN @ 5HRS 22MIN!MINUS THE STOP
    BECAUSE OF CRAMPING AND THE FLAT SLOWING ME DOWN,I THINK I COULD'VE
    BROKE 5HRS!!
     THE NEXT CENTURY IS THIS WEEK(HARDSCRABBLE)AND I MEAN TO DO BETTER
    THIS TIME!
                  "RIDE LONG AND PROSPER"  THOMAS "THE DARK KNIGHT" W.

    I rode 106 miles a couple of weeks ago . Wasn't as bad as I thought it
    would be. I'm not a Professional bicycle rider....just a causal
    rider, who at 43 years old is in reasonable shape.
    
    The two most important things I learned were:
    
    1. Have a good mental attitude....don't worry about the fact that you
       are going a long distance....you can do it!
    
    2. Bring and drink lots of water. Drink before you are thirsty.
    
    
    Of course, your bike should be in top condition and you should bring
    spare tire patching gear.
    
    Marc H.

RE: <<< Note 2673.0 by ALFA2::PEASLEE >>>

>    Could you share your experiences about your first century?  

I've done about five or six centuries, all of them solo rides, and all but the
first from northern Massachusetts to mid-northern New Hampshire. My first
century was last June. I wasn't intending for it to be a century. The longest
ride I had done previously was 40-some miles; my average ride was 12-20 miles.
I had a free Saturday (simply amazing) and went out for a ride, intending to
make it 60 or 70 miles maybe. I headed from Westford MA west and a little
south, towards Wachussett, thinking that if I got there by mile 30 or so, I
might try riding up it (which I had never done). I got there at mile 41, as it
turned out, which meant an 80+ mile for the day if I just turned around then.
I thought for a while, and then decided to go up the mountain. Hard for me!
Then I started back. As I got near Westford, I was feeling fair, and so decided
to take a couple of detours to up the mileage aiming for a century, which I was
now quite excited about. I finally made it home after 102 miles and was VERY
satisfied.

My shoulders were very sore. Turning around on the bike at the end was a little
painful. I didn't stretch enough during the ride, which I now try to do a lot.
My seat was moderately sore -- not painful but quite happy to get off the seat.
Overall time was something like seven hours, including a 20 minute rain stop,
15 minutes on top of Wachussett catching my breath, and two short drink stops
at a roadside store. I was going a few miles an hour slower than I would on a
short ride. Especially at the end, I was really poking; hardly ever in the big
ring. 

I brought a pump and patch kit, two bottles, a few rasberry newtons and a
banana or two. I should have eaten more; in fact that's probably true of each
century I've done.
						-- Tom

    I'd say go for it, particularly since you mention the option
    of a metric centrury if it gets really bad.  If you can do 60 miles
    you can do 100, and it will be primarily mental.

    Don't worry about your time, since you'll be slower on average
    than shorter rides - but do try to keep moving, it is tempting
    to hang around the checkpoints and that can be a real time killer.

    Don't try to carry an excess of stuff, particularly since it's an
    organized ride you won't be left stranded.  If there's chance
    of weather, take a light jacket & tights, and have a pump/tube,
    water bottle, I'd also take a map just in case.

    I'd minimize carrying any food since you can nearly always pick up
    stuff along the way.

    Personally, I had more trouble with discomfort on shorter rides
    when I began cycling due to improper bike set up than I did on
    the first long rides, by then I'd figured out the problems
    and it was pretty easy.  However, I did ride regularly, nearly
    every day so that must have helped.

    - Jim

    Here's a good piece of advice I've picked up from various sources:

	Don't change ANYTHING right before a century!

    This ranges from something obvious (don't buy a new saddle or new shoes
    the day before the ride) to something less obvious (don't buy a new
    jersey to wear on the ride, you never know what little seam is going to
    rub a major hole in your skin after 80 miles...)

    Also be careful about trying new energy drinks on the ride.  Some people
    enjoy being able to sample new stuff.  But I've talked to some people
    who suffered major stomach cramps or nausea because the free energy
    drink at rest stop such-and-such had something in it that their system
    couldn't tolerate.

	- Diane

    P.S.  Hi Thomas!  Your first century was 5 hours 22 minutes???!!!  Whew!
	  I'll see you Sunday on Hardscrabble!

         The best advice that I can think of is that you should eat small
    amounts of food (about every 6-10 miles ) that works for you when you ride,
    avoid stuffing youself - drink about three times more often than you
    eat.  I have found that this helps me avoid the bonk on long rides,
    once you bonk, you are done, the remainder of the ride will become
    somewhat of a survival struggle.  One way to tell that you are eating
    and drinking properly is that you will always sweat, if your skin
    becomes dry (no sweat) then you probaly will become more and more 
    uncomfortable as you ride.  The noter from .11 gave some sound advice, 
    in my opinion.
    
        Abe;

    re .12
    
    If you're only sweating, then you're still not drinking enough.  You
    should have to stop to go to the bathroom as well.
    
    My drinking had gotten poor, but has improved this past year as I
    started using a Camelbak system.  Drinking is a lot easier because you
    don't have to reach for a water-bottle, then worry about dropping it
    while it's in your hand.
    
    Rich

			"Your First BIG Ride"

		reprinted with permission from
		The Bent Fork Chronicles, August 1993
		(newsletter of the Colorado Springs Cycling Club)


	There are some fundamental rules that have to do with your first
	long ride, or any long ride that you do in the future.  The
	cardinal rule is:  "New stuff:  don't do it!"

	I know that I have made several of these mistakes on century
	rides in the past.  An innocent example:  It's your first century
	ride ever and you trained, following your schedule even in the
	rain and wind.  You look at your cycling togs and decide, boy
	these look ratty and stained, all that riding in the rain.  You go
	to a bike shop, and decide that hey a new jersey, some of those
	expensive triple protections, ultra-bio, gel, chamois, antibacterial,
	anatomical, century, wicking shorts look pretty nice too.  They
	don't even weigh that much after you take the 3 pounds of tags off
	of them.  Over on the enxt counter you find some nice new socks,
	again made out of wonder fabrics that cool/warm, wick, dry, massage,
	cajole, and offer psychological counseling to your older toes as
	you ride.  Better throw a couple of pairs of those in the bag.
	Oh wow some trendy new sunglasses and a new helmet and you are set.
	Right?  Wrong!!!  You are only set if you promise me that you'll
	take your old ratty clothes that you are comfortable in, and go
	on the ride.

	Why, you ask?  When you take new things with you on a ride you
	never really know how they are going to work.  I have had what I
	thought was a comfortable jersey in the store draw blood by 60
	miles into a ride, and you still have 40 to go.  What about new
	shorts?  Do we have to talk about sore butts in every column?  Yes!

	New components.  I'm afraid to change my bar tape to a different
	color before a big ride.  I have seen people change pedals, shoes,
	cleat systems and get this, a new seat!  A new seat.  What a great
	idea!  Why not just put sandpaper in your lycras and see how you do.
	For those of you with new shorts and a new seat I recommend sandpaper
	soaked in turpentine.

	What about new tires, packing your bearings, replacing those worn
	shifter cables, and maybe a new chain?  Do it!  The sag folks will
	thank you for it.  But do it and take a 30-40 mile ride to make
	sure that you or the shop got it right.

	The next thing that you want to be careful of is food.  Many
	companies actually give food samples out to riders during long rides,
	under the assumption the riders will feel like superman, ride like
	lemond, look trim and fit and attribute it all to the energy bar
	that they got a rest stop 2.  Sometimes this happens, sometimes it
	doesn't.  I have seen a rider on his hands and knees cursing
	company X for putting caffeine in their energy bar. 

	The other major culprits are energy drinks.  Let me state right off
	that all energy drinks will make all riders sick if they are mixed
	strong enough.  The people who ride the RAAM practice with different
	mixes to see how strong a mixture they can drink of a given substance.
	Don't find out that a given mixture is above your limit to digest
	at 65 miles into a ride.  Dilute the drink 3-1 or at least 2-1 if
	you are unfamiliar with he drink.  Use water for the dilution,
	those of you who were going to use vodka would probably be better
	off with the full strength drink, but we will find you most likely in
	a position that suggests you dropped a contact.

	What are some remedies you can take along with you when you follow 
	all the rules and still things go wrong?  Carry a small tube of
	Vaseline.  Rub Vaseline on the part that is chaffing, it isn't sexy
	but it feels so good you won't care.  I carry small Band-Adis to place
	over smaller areas that get sore on me.  Actually I put them on
	before the ride, but I already know which area on me will most likely
	chafe.

	The other thing that you must be careful to do is eat and drink.  Eat
	before you're hungry, drink before you're thirsty.  If you have a watch
	remember to take a swig on that water bottle every 5 minutes whether
	you want to or not. 

	Limit the amount of time that you stop.  You will be a much happier
	rider if you never stop for more than 10 minutes at a time.  Your own
	body, the one you rode here in, thinks that after 10 minutes it is
	OK to go ahead and start the recovery phase it goes through when you
	quit exercising.  When you start to ride again after a 30 minute
	break it will hurt a lot more than if you had left 20 minutes
	earlier.  This may require some planning for the rest stops.  The
	classic look of a rider coming in, throwing his bike on the ground,
	screaming something about taking up a cart sport like golf, is
	entertaining, but not the best way to get down the road.  Pull in out
	of traffic, gently set your trusty bike down, grab your water bottles
	for filling, and find the food.  Eat lots.  Grab something to carry
	for a snack on the way to the next rest stop.  Put it in your jersey
	pocket.  Grab your bike, make sure the water bottles are full and
	head out.  Try to look for incoherent riders entering the rest stop
	behind you, and the big car things as you leave.  Keep this up for
	3-4 rest stops, and the next thing you know you've done your
	first century!

    Thank you for all of the replies so far.  There is alot of useful
    information.  I always drink alot of water when I ride (I drink alot
    of water all the time).  For a fifty mile ride, I drink at least three
    large bottles of water.  Of course this means I need a bathroom break
    every 20 - 25 miles.   I hope there are some places I can stop along the
    way! 
    In terms of food, I've never had a problem eating too little.
    
    Thnaks for all the excellent info!  

    Bathrooms?
    Stopping on the road?
    
    I just love the Puritanity of you guys in the US - I thought you were
    all supposed to be laid-back and relaxed about everything....
    
    Best wishes from
    
    A. Heathen-European    ;>)    nearly forgot - don't want to upset y'all
    now!!

    I'll be taking on my first century this spring. I've been riding
    a Diamond Back Venture 21 spd touring bike over the last 2 seasons.
    Maxing out around 50 to 60 miles and averaging 13 mph over 50 miles
    with no real discomfort.
    
    Want to go farther and faster. Any suggestions around faster, lighter
    bikes and strategies to get the speed up?
    
    

     I'm not being insulting, but there is certainly a lot higher
     average mph in that bike. Your training will require a few
     more miles (on average). You should use last year's "max"
     as a training target (at least).
    
     The question of going "faster & farther" really begs another...
     How much faster and how much farther?

    Using a heart rate monitor for at least a little while will show you
    how much effort you should be putting in to your workout.  If you stay
    within your aerobic zone, and keep your cadence up above 80 revs/min,
    you should see higher speeds.  
    
    Another way is to ride with others.  In group rides, you can usually
    find someone whose pace "challenges" you to higher levels of
    performance.
    
    Finally, a lighter, more nimble bike can inspire you to ride faster,
    and have more fun doing it.  This really can help your training.  Chip
    should know this better than practically anyone, so I find his reply
    rather mystifying....

RE: <<< Note 2673.19 by GNPIKE::JOHNSON "Matt Johnson" >>>
    
>    Finally, a lighter, more nimble bike can inspire you to ride faster,
>    and have more fun doing it.  This really can help your training.

I agree, it would be more inspiring to have a light, nimble bike. And with
inspiration may come extra miles and harder workouts. Unless you have unlimited
funds, however, be careful about relying on or dreaming about hardware for your
improvements. My bike is a 26 pound monstrosity (by today's standards), yet
I've improved a lot over a couple of years ago. 

My cycling involves fairly regular commuting by bike (about three times per
week from Spring through Fall) for about 75 to 100 miles per week. I believe
that the frequency of effort is very important. One ride per week is not going
to result in improvements nearly as great as two or more times per week. I feel
that my heavy bike (with another five pounds or so for commuting stuff) is an
advantage for my fitness, because I have to work harder.

Secondly, I have steadily gotten used to riding while suffering from the effort
to a greater degree than I used to be able to tolerate. I think this is a key
point to strong riders: they can suffer better/longer than others. Riding fast
for some distance may come easy to some extent as your physiology improves, but
it also comes as your phychology improves.

Doctor:  "Why are you hitting your head against the wall?"
Patient: "Because it feels so good when I stop."

That sums up how I feel when I get home after a hard ride! You know you've
worked hard if it really feels good to stop.
						-- Tom

     I'll try and de-mystify my response for Matt and then add further
     confusion by commenting on Tom's response.
    
     I gleaned (what I felt) from the request that the rider is a little
     less than competitive and more recreational. Not really looking to
     do a sub-5 century, just looking for a little more speed/little
     less time. I thought steering him the direction of new equipment
     when the average speed (currently) over 50 miles is stated as 13mph.
    
     You know me Matt, I'm going for something off the atomic chart
     (lighter than helium) :-) and would never downplya the importance
     of the steed and its accessories.
    
     Tom buddy, how's it goin'... Lose the boat anchor and get something
     made (at least) in this century :-) will ya!
    
     Chip

>     You know me Matt, I'm going for something off the atomic chart
>     (lighter than helium) :-) and would never downplya the importance
>     of the steed and its accessories.
 
    There's a thought! Ti tubes filled with helium...  :*)
       
    I would agree with Chip and Tom. Fast bikes are only of real benefit
    when you are talking about racing or some of the silly mountaineering
    that the continentals in here do. A lot of riders deliberately make
    their training bike heavy so that they have to work harder to make it
    move. When they get their light bike for racing, by putting the same
    effort in they do go faster physically and also get a massive
    psychological boost.
    
    You're note implies that you are willing to spend money to get yourself
    fitter. If that's the case, follow Matt's advice and get an HRM.
    
    Graham.

    Thought I'd chip in my thanks around .18 - .22 replies. The information
    has been very helpful, inspirational, motivational, et al. Not knowing
    the standards for assessing overall speed over a particular distance I
    tried to be conservative. I also add in any breaks I might take along
    the distance ridden as part of overall time.
    
    I'll check back in later in the season to report on how things worked
    out.
    
    Many thanks again.

     A little factoid(s)... A 5 hr century is a 20mph average. Quite a
     nice little century. I did a 5:19 mostly on my own and that was a
     19.9 mph average (yup, I was disappointed). That was the COVAC
     that's held annually out in South Hadley... Very nice and flat. 
    
     Anything under a 6 hr. century is respectable. But then again, it's
     all relative...
    
     Chip

Yes, it's all relative.  We have a couple of centuries out here in Colorado
and New Mexico that include 5000 ft of climbing and go up to 10,000 ft 
elevation.  Doing that in 6 hours is very good.