I've Done it !!

[Hutch 75]

Thanks everyone, I did do it with a friend who was also doing his first century so we kept each other going, but I think I definitely understimated just how hard it is, hats off to everyone who's done it and more so to people that do it on a regular basis.
It didn't help with a strong headwind coming back inland from Shoreham.
Hopefully be a bit easier with kinder weather.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone.

Hutch

 

[heliphil]

I've been on a bike since I was a kid but only did my first century ( 100 miles) last summer ( in my 50th year!!), I then went on to do 238km in the Alps in August. Its a great achievement however you do it, well done.

 

[laertes]

That's awesome and has made me plan to achieve the same thing! I only do 30 miles a day commuting and have only done about 45 max in a day (relatively easily, from memory). Did you work your way up to 100 with a few 60s or did you just go for it? I have kids too but if they go to see granny over Easter I might have some weekend time free.

 

[Hutch 75]

That's awesome and has made me plan to achieve the same thing! I only do 30 miles a day commuting and have only done about 45 max in a day (relatively easily, from memory). Did you work your way up to 100 with a few 60s or did you just go for it? I have kids too but if they go to see granny over Easter I might have some weekend time free.

I managed a few 70-80 mile rides last year but with the onset of winter it became harder to get out, but started to get out again over christmas and the new year, my Saturday rides are normally 50-60 miles, get out nice and early and you're back for lunchtime so no-one misses you too much !
In hindsight I would definitely recommend a few 70 mile jaunts to build up to it, but you'll definitely get there, your riding schedule sounds very similar to mine.

Hutch

 

[ZIZAG]

What an achievement . Well done .
I bet you felt great after that .
Keep up the good work .

 

[jayonabike]

I take my hat off to you sir! This is my next milestone, the farthest i have ridden so far is 63 miles and that was last october.

 

[Woldwanderer]

Well done. Planning on doing my first during the first week in March before I go off to work at sea. Trainning plan going well and manage 50 miles comfortably - not a great speed though!!.

What sort off fuel/grub did you take with you? Nothing to fancy for me - a packet of fig rolls....

All the best for the next one...

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Well done Hutch, and in my neck of the woods too! What was your route? I imagine that you did the long drag from Cowfold up towards Lower Beeding which is quite deceptive. No wonder you found the last bit hard.

Well done, Sportives will hold no fear for you now'

Bill

 

[Hutch 75]

Well done. Planning on doing my first during the first week in March before I go off to work at sea. Trainning plan going well and manage 50 miles comfortably - not a great speed though!!.

What sort off fuel/grub did you take with you? Nothing to fancy for me - a packet of fig rolls....

All the best for the next one...

Just took some energy bars/gels and a couple of bottles of water with nuuns tablets, I suffer with chronic cramp and they really do help, we stopped twice to re-fuel with cups of tea and cake and that was about it.

As for the route we just followed the L2B route from Worcester Park, yes over Ditchling Beacon, I could still speak at the top which was a first, and then across the sea front to Shoreham from Brighton then round Shoreham Airport and towards Horsham via Sedgefield, I think. Then headed back towards Leigh/Rusper and home via Box Hill.