First Metric Century

[ichitan]

When I was less fit, soreness was a problem if I rode a significant distance. At that time I was not able to go very far in a day.

Now I get a little sore, but not enough to be a problem. I recently got a new bike with a different seat. I got sore for the first couple of weeks. But after that, I have not been too sore.

Most people have small seats and padded shorts. I use big seats, and don't use padded shorts. Those experiencing soreness could experiment with different seats.

Part of it is just cycling enough to toughen up.

A challenge for me is lack of energy. I push hard to make sure I get a large proportion of the way. Along the way I have drinks to give me energy. Towards the end I have less and less energy, so I cycle a bit then have a rest, then cycle a bit more and have a rest. I keep going when some people would give up.

Another issue is the bike breaking. When you start riding long distances, you have a lot more things go wrong with the bike. You need a bike where not too many parts fail.

I have had too many parts fail to list them all here. On the last 100km ride, I had a pedal split where it goes around the axle. I could only ride with the pedal one way up. If I rode with it the other way up, it would fail completely. When I got on the bike, I could feel if the pedal was the wrong way up, so I would take my foot off at the bottom, and put it back on at the top, so it rotated 180 degrees. I put a new set of pedals on it now. They look strong, but see how long they last.

[ichitan]

I did over 100 km in a day again.

I am trying to lose weight, so I am really pushing myself. People who have tried probably know, it is difficult to lose weight. I will see how much I can lose now that I am fit enough to ride further.

I would like to encourage others to do what they can to promote good health.

So now I have done over 100 km twice in 2022, once in Jan 23, twice in Feb 23, and once in Mar 23.

With the amount of riding I am doing, I am likely wear out my back tire in less than 3 months, my front tire in less than 6 months, and my brake pads in less than 6 months.

[Nikko]

@J_R_Schultz have you done another one (metric century) since last August?

[JoJoJo]

(08-16-2022, 12:27 PM)J_R_Schultz Wrote:  I completed my first metric century (62 miles) yesterday. The route was almost 100% on the Glacial Drumlin trail in southeast Wisconsin. The route was about 50/50 gravel and tarmac. Overall it went well. I planned my nutrition and hydration well. I had plenty of energy. My issue was a sore undercarriage the last 20ish miles. I'd like to do a 100 mile ride in a month or so, but I'm wondering if the pain will be worth it. Perhaps I just need to upgrade my cycling shorts... LOL. What about you? Can you all do 100 miles without pain? Is pain just something that goes along with a long ride? My typical rides up to yesterday were 20 - 30 miles.

2+ years later I say big congrats!
looking over my old posts and remembered about your 100 metric century challenge. 50% on gravel sounds tough and rough and that might have triggered soreness sooner than later.
have you ever repeated a century ride? i can't do 100 miles without any pain and just have to push through. solid padding helps but the discomfort catches me at some point and it's a lot of standing on the bike to ease the tension.

[GirishH]

I wholeheartedly agree with @JoJoJo. Congratulations on your first metric century. I truly hope you have repeated it many more times since then.

When we do metric centuries and then 100 miles, we are pushing minds over bodies. Bodies will always say stop. It hurts here, hurts there and the pains/wounds are real. But, what we gain when we push beyond the pain is priceless.

I too stand-up and ride when "saddle" becomes too sore. I am riding in Pearl Izumi's.

Over the past 3 days, I did 115k, then 107k and yesterday was 75k. But the last day got me some 5900 feet gain. So, I am toast but able to enjoy the mountains of Darjeeling, India as I decided to rest today.

Please continue and eventually body will learn to enjoy the ride..:-)