Century ride with 9,000' of climb

[k-vette]

I just found out that a century ride is being organized locally for the first time.  Thats 100 miles with 9,000' of climb in the northern california foothills.  Luckily its not until May 2015.  9 months to train!

Ive just started biking to work and already sold the car.  My commute is a steep climb so im training a bit each day.  Going to prepare for the century ride.

Google Gold Country Challenge for more info.

[cdttmm]

Wow -- looks like a great ride! I've never ridden a century before. I think I topped out around 60 miles back in my triathlon days. Good luck with your training!

[fallstoclimb]

Nice!  I'm doing one next month with 11,000 feet of climbing.  I've done one century before but it was much flatter (4,500).  A May century sounds tough to train for....I hope you get a mild winter! 

[Mississippi Mudstache]

I think I could do it if I had a 9,000 ft descent.

[cbr shadow]

Great goal!
Last year I did 7 century rides here in the midwest, but they're nearly pancake flat.  One of them was in Wilmot, WI which is hilly, but not near 9,000' gain.

One piece of advice I'll give (which is probably obvious to most) is to make sure you get several very long rides in before the event.  I used to get mostly 24-30 mile (high intensity) training rides, then cramped up on the century at about mile 85.  Lots of theories on why people cramp up, but it wasn't nutrition or hydration for me.. I was just asking my muscles to perform far longer than they were used to.
Good luck!  You'll love it I'm sure!

[kendallf]

Sounds like a good ride!  I read the course description but the map wouldn't open for me.  You will probably know, being local, but it will make a difference whether that 9k feet is a bunch of short steep up and downs, or several long ten mile climbs with moderate grades, or a mix.  Try to ride the longest and the steepest sections, decide what gearing will be sustainable, then add another tooth or two.  :-)

I have done some riding SE of you in Bishop, and that was some spectacular scenery... and some leg breaking climbs.

[fallstoclimb]

One piece of advice I'll give (which is probably obvious to most) is to make sure you get several very long rides in before the event.  I used to get mostly 24-30 mile (high intensity) training rides, then cramped up on the century at about mile 85.  Lots of theories on why people cramp up, but it wasn't nutrition or hydration for me.. I was just asking my muscles to perform far longer than they were used to.
Good luck!  You'll love it I'm sure!

Yes, if you are new to biking it might not be obvious but you do have to train fairly seriously to do a century with that amount of climbing.  Work your long rides up to at least 60 miles (I like to get up to 75-80, but I think that is more for the mental reassurance) and ride several times throughout the week, seeking some hills.  I don't think it's necessary to follow any of those century training plans exactly, just make sure you are getting in hillwork and long rides.  The long rides are crucial because it helps you figure out how exactly to eat on the bike, since its not as simple as 'eat when you're hungry' like in normal life.

[Wiggle]

Good luck :)  I just completed my first metric century (100 km) this weekend, it was tough near the end but glad I did it.  Looking forward to trying the full 100 miles next year.

[k-vette]

All is well so far.  My ride to work is 800' of climbing over a short distance.  The hills are killer around here.  Luckily the ride starts 2 miles from my house.  I can ride sections to get familiar.  My goal is to keep adding more until I can ride the full course - 1 month prior to the organized event. 

I'm not in the greatest shape, but am getting better.  My ride to work I averaged 7.5mph up the hill on my mountain bike.  I usually gain another 1mph on the road bike average, but I snapped a spoke earlier this week.

Ive yet to do it, but im going to make a weekly workout schedule.