Sunday, August 7, 2011

Doing a Century Ride (l00 miles - 160 kilometers)

I did my century when I was 57 years old, just 1 year into biking.  I read a lot of books and other references and other old timers how to do it. How did I prepare:

l.  Increase your mileage.  Prior to the century, I did at least three rides every week. The shortest was 60 km, the longest was to Jalajala or Sierra Madre about l00 km.

2.  Mr. Jess Crisologo, an avid cyclist and business partner advised to ride at the hottest time of the day say betweeen l2 to l to get accustomed to the extreme weather condition.  It served me well when I was between Dinalupihan and Olongapo. I reached the place at ll am and I was riding uphill and it was hot.  I saw a lot of quitters along the way.

3.  Bring plenty of food and water.  I brought tiny sandwiches wrapped in aluminum foil and boiled banana sprinkled with brown sugar.  Stopping along the way to eat tempts you to quit.

4.  Ride comfortably at a pace that you will not tire or get cramps.  Avoid the temptation to race.  You could get cramps and force you to quit.  I decided to ride at 25 kmh and shift giears as necessary to maintain the pace. I did the century in 6 hours.

5.  Have a well conditioned and sturdy bike especially the tires. Install new interiors.  A flat could wreck havoc on your concentration and determination.  No one would help you fix your flat especially if you are not with your team or club.

6.  Strengthen your resolve.  Fight suggestion to quit or even entertain that idea especially in the final 20 to 30 km.  Do not even bring a support vehicle.  Have any support vehicle wait for you at the finish line.  That way, you will be forced to finish.

The weather now cleared.  Maybe, I could do a few kilometers warm up ride.

"Mens sana en corpora sano" Sound mind in a sound body.

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