1st Century
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
1st Century
Since I started riding again in March of 2009 I've had two goals. The first was to ride my age, now 58, and to ride a century. Until yesterday my longest ride was 47 miles.
The weekend weather was finally cooperating so I decided on Friday that I would ride the Prairie Spirit Trail which is around 51 miles long making a loop sufficient to get my century.
Since it a rail trail consisting primarily of crushed limestone I used my commuter bike, Giant Cypress DX, with 700x40's rather than my much lighter road bike.
So, I got everything ready on Saturday and discovered a bad spot in my rear tire which I replaced after a quick trip to the LBS. Up at 5:00 AM on Sunday for the the 40 mile trip to Ottawa, Kansas, the northern terminums of the trail.
Three things I screwed up were forgetting to bring ibuprofin for my bad knees, enough food, and not filling all three water bottles at the last trailhead where water was available.
I guess because it was Sunday, there were no business open in any of the small towns along the trail so I had to make due with the foor I brought and suffer through the knee and posterior "discomfort. I also ran out of water during the last 10 miles. I drank a tremendous amount of water during the ride, much more than I thought I would.
The first 51 miles to the southern terminous went well and I probably pushed a little too hard wasting valuable energy that I could have used on the return leg. The second half was into the wind and that plus running short on food kicked my butt. But I made it and can now cross that off of my to do list. Needless to say, I slept well last night.
The weekend weather was finally cooperating so I decided on Friday that I would ride the Prairie Spirit Trail which is around 51 miles long making a loop sufficient to get my century.
Since it a rail trail consisting primarily of crushed limestone I used my commuter bike, Giant Cypress DX, with 700x40's rather than my much lighter road bike.
So, I got everything ready on Saturday and discovered a bad spot in my rear tire which I replaced after a quick trip to the LBS. Up at 5:00 AM on Sunday for the the 40 mile trip to Ottawa, Kansas, the northern terminums of the trail.
Three things I screwed up were forgetting to bring ibuprofin for my bad knees, enough food, and not filling all three water bottles at the last trailhead where water was available.
I guess because it was Sunday, there were no business open in any of the small towns along the trail so I had to make due with the foor I brought and suffer through the knee and posterior "discomfort. I also ran out of water during the last 10 miles. I drank a tremendous amount of water during the ride, much more than I thought I would.
The first 51 miles to the southern terminous went well and I probably pushed a little too hard wasting valuable energy that I could have used on the return leg. The second half was into the wind and that plus running short on food kicked my butt. But I made it and can now cross that off of my to do list. Needless to say, I slept well last night.
#4
Senior Member ??
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Englewood,Ohio
Posts: 5,098
Bikes: 2007 Trek Madone 5.0 WSD - 2007 Trek 4300 WSD - 2008 Trek 520 - 2014 Catrike Trail
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Congratulations!
__________________
=============================================================
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-- Antonio Smith
=============================================================
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-- Antonio Smith
#6
Legs; OK! Lungs; not!
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Coral Springs, FL
Posts: 2,096
Bikes: ''09 Motobecane Immortal Pro (Yellow), '02 Diamondback Hybrid, '09 Lamborghini Viaggio, ''11 Cervelo P2
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
4 Posts
The road surface and tires really make a big difference. Your century was probably equivalent to 125 mi or more on a road bike and paved roads. Great job! And you learned a lot.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 9,015
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Liked 2,017 Times
in
1,260 Posts
Well done?
Now when are you going to ride your age?
Now when are you going to ride your age?
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#10
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
Way to go! Glad you were able to press on despite the problems.
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Blueberry Capital of the WORLD, NJ
Posts: 2,095
Bikes: Trek '09 1.5 wsd, Trek '13 Cocoa
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
2 Posts
Great job! I am slowly edging towards that century ride myself, so reading about other people's first century rides is of great interest to me! Thanks for posting about your ride, including your errors! That information is helpful.
#14
DisMember
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Central Arkansas
Posts: 247
Bikes: 2010 Fuji Roubaix, 1984 Schwinn World Sport
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Congrats! I did my first century last Saturday too. Maybe mine was easier than yours since it was road miles. Do you think you really need 40s for the rail-to-trail surface? I was planning on 28s, but pulling a trailer rather than heavy panniers.
#15
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,438
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Liked 658 Times
in
235 Posts
Well done. I'm still working up to my first 100; longest every was 76.2 a few weeks ago. +10 on the food thing. Eating the right stuff and drinking plenty of water (and maintaining salt intake if necessary) is a key for being able to ride steadily onward...
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex
Posts: 5,058
Bikes: 2013 Haro FL Comp 29er MTB.
Likes: 0
Liked 45 Times
in
35 Posts
On Cypress yet? Good job, I have never taken my Cypress more than a few miles. I might have tried a rail trail on my MTB but it is geared better than my cypress. I am looking forward to my third century for the year saturday and hope to get in one more before the year is out. Mine will be all road however. Keep it up and keep it going.
#17
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Once you pluck up the courage- then a century ride WILL be done--As you have proved. But there are easier ways to do it than on on a heavy bike with wide tyres and on Crushed hardpack.
Well done but the Ride your age still has to be done
Now if you had announced that you were doing a ride your age ride and then went on to do a metric century and then a full 100 miles- then you would have progressed in the right order and could claim all 3.
Well done on achieving the 3.
Well done but the Ride your age still has to be done
Now if you had announced that you were doing a ride your age ride and then went on to do a metric century and then a full 100 miles- then you would have progressed in the right order and could claim all 3.
Well done on achieving the 3.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex
Posts: 5,058
Bikes: 2013 Haro FL Comp 29er MTB.
Likes: 0
Liked 45 Times
in
35 Posts
Once you pluck up the courage- then a century ride WILL be done--As you have proved. But there are easier ways to do it than on on a heavy bike with wide tyres and on Crushed hardpack.
Well done but the Ride your age still has to be done
Now if you had announced that you were doing a ride your age ride and then went on to do a metric century and then a full 100 miles- then you would have progressed in the right order and could claim all 3.
Well done on achieving the 3.
Well done but the Ride your age still has to be done
Now if you had announced that you were doing a ride your age ride and then went on to do a metric century and then a full 100 miles- then you would have progressed in the right order and could claim all 3.
Well done on achieving the 3.
2: Metric Century
3: our age
4: Century
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I hit a hole that was covered with leaves and I think that's what caused the eventual flat.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the bridge with Picard
Posts: 5,932
Bikes: Specialized Allez, Specialized Sirrus
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Great job!
#22
Senior Member
Huge accomplishment! I have fond memories of the KC area and lived in OP for several of the 12 years I spent there.
Marc
Marc
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Posts: 222
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Great accomplishment. I am 70 years old (took up cycling at age 62), and just did my first century this past Saturday at the Big Dam Bridge 100 in L. Rock, Ar. It was actually 105 miles. I have been gradually working my way up to the century, with my longest ride being 73 miles. I was well prepared for the eating, drinking, pacing part. I think the hardest part for me was the mental will to get through it after about mile 85. Everything started hurting . But I got through it, and am already looking forward to my next one.
#24
DisMember
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Central Arkansas
Posts: 247
Bikes: 2010 Fuji Roubaix, 1984 Schwinn World Sport
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Great accomplishment. I am 70 years old (took up cycling at age 62), and just did my first century this past Saturday at the Big Dam Bridge 100 in L. Rock, Ar. It was actually 105 miles. I have been gradually working my way up to the century, with my longest ride being 73 miles. I was well prepared for the eating, drinking, pacing part. I think the hardest part for me was the mental will to get through it after about mile 85. Everything started hurting . But I got through it, and am already looking forward to my next one.
Send me a photo, I'll tell you where we were when you dropped me. :-DDD
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Posts: 222
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts