First cycling century

[JCL]

Not a big deal for the marathon runners and tri-athletes here, but on Saturday I rode my first century (161 km, 100 m).

After 23 years off the bike, except for short rides with the kids, I got back into road cycling this spring. In the past month I did 100 km twice, and then last Saturday I did a full century. I rode solo, so no drafting. 6.5 hours riding time, approx 24 km/hr. Four flats, all fixed on roadside. Not fast, but then Vancouver has a few hills as well. On my one-hour rides I am keeping it above 30 km/hr, so the next step is to improve my speed over the 100 km intervals.

True story: In the sandwich shop at lunch, a gentlemen well north of 65 asked me how far I had come that day, and whether I though Landis would hold on in the tour. His personal best was 300 km in one day. I have some work to do...

[SANguru]

very impressive. Good job! Hope you are enjoying that OCLV. Been doing 80+ on the weekends when my schedule allows.

Originally Posted by JCL

Not a big deal for the marathon runners and tri-athletes here, but on Saturday I rode my first century (161 km, 100 m).

After 23 years off the bike, except for short rides with the kids, I got back into road cycling this spring. In the past month I did 100 km twice, and then last Saturday I did a full century. I rode solo, so no drafting. 6.5 hours riding time, approx 24 km/hr. Four flats, all fixed on roadside. Not fast, but then Vancouver has a few hills as well. On my one-hour rides I am keeping it above 30 km/hr, so the next step is to improve my speed over the 100 km intervals.

True story: In the sandwich shop at lunch, a gentlemen well north of 65 asked me how far I had come that day, and whether I though Landis would hold on in the tour. His personal best was 300 km in one day. I have some work to do...

[JCL]

Thanks. I love the OCLV frame, and am happy with the Ultegra group. I lust after the Dura Ace group, but don't need it. Now I need to find a more durable/robust 700-25C tire. The Bontrager original equipment tires haven't impressed me. Could be the 215 lb rider...

[vlee1974]

Originally Posted by JCL

Now I need to find a more durable/robust 700-25C tire. The Bontrager original equipment tires haven't impressed me. Could be the 215 lb rider...

I used to have Bontrager X-lite tires and got lots of flats (am around the same weight). Then got some Continental GP4000s and NEVER had a flat in over 4000kms. First few 1000kms didn;t even get a knick!

Good work on the century

[vinuneuro]

Congrats Jeff Have you considered competing?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by vlee1974

I used to have Bontrager X-lite tires and got lots of flats (am around the same weight). Then got some Continental GP4000s and NEVER had a flat in over 4000kms. First few 1000kms didn;t even get a knick!

Good work on the century

Thanks, and thanks for the tip. I will ask about the GP4000s at my local shop, they have been very good to deal with.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

Congrats Jeff Have you considered competing?

Thanks. No to the competing. There are lots out there who are faster than me, I am just working on improving my personal best each time I go out.

[RastaGurl]

Congrats!