My first metric century

[Davos87]

Completed yesterday in cold, misty and windy conditions { bloody easterly's) and details below.
Didn't actually set out to achieve this but just sort of kept my head down and ploughing on.
Seemed to go ok for the first 40 miles or so however really suffered with cramp?? on the top of my left thigh for the last 15 miles. Not too bad on the gentle undulations or flat but when confronted with a lumpy bit felt I couldn't put any pressure on left pedal without being in considerable discomfort.
On reflection today probably nutritional reasons for this???
Only ate a bowl of cornflakes and drank three cups of tea before setting off.
Took three energy bars with me and one water bottle and think/know now that this just wasn't enough.
Going to take some of the excellent advice offered on here next time re: porridge, flapjacks, bananas and drinking more.
Anyway reasonably pleased with my effort so onwards and upwards
http://www.strava.com/activities/126552446

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Well done. Hopefully the next one will be better still.

 

[BSRU]

Completed yesterday in cold, misty and windy conditions { bloody easterly's) and details below.
Didn't actually set out to achieve this but just sort of kept my head down and ploughing on.
Seemed to go ok for the first 40 miles or so however really suffered with cramp?? on the top of my left thigh for the last 15 miles. Not too bad on the gentle undulations or flat but when confronted with a lumpy bit felt I couldn't put any pressure on left pedal without being in considerable discomfort.
On reflection today probably nutritional reasons for this???
Only ate a bowl of cornflakes and drank three cups of tea before setting off.
Took three energy bars with me and one water bottle and think/know now that this just wasn't enough.
Going to take some of the excellent advice offered on here next time re: porridge, flapjacks, bananas and drinking more.
Anyway reasonably pleased with my effort so onwards and upwards
http://www.strava.com/activities/126552446

At least you did it and can learn from your experience

 

[Archie_tect]

Perhaps add a bit of salt and fruit squash to your water bottle?

 

[helston90]

Well done on your effort- further than I've ever managed.

Personally I would definitely be taking more fluid and making sure I drank them, 5 hours of riding on ~500ml of water I would have died (I know everyone is different but still).
I also love how your 64 mile trip contained less climbing than my 20 mile commute to work yesterday.

 

[Stu Smith]

Well done...4 Personal Records too

 

[Davos87]

Well done on your effort- further than I've ever managed.

Personally I would definitely be taking more fluid and making sure I drank them, 5 hours of riding on ~500ml of water I would have died (I know everyone is different but still).
I also love how your 64 mile trip contained less climbing than my 20 mile commute to work yesterday.

Thanks for all the kind words. Yes helston90, just been reading a book about a guy who cycles around the coast of Britain and you would probably expect Cumbria, Scotland to be the hardest on the legs and bellows however he says Devon and Cornwall were absolute hell. Don't know it myself but he reserves special mention for Porlock Hill????

 

[helston90]

Up in Somerset yeah, I've heard it's a killer- just mapped it and it covers 1250ft in 2.5 miles!

 

[PpPete]

Well done - the first one is always the hardest. A few more and you'll be ready for the imperial century. Then a 200km is not much further after that, then: 300km and 200 miles are pretty damn close to each other, so you might as well knock those two milestones out together.....

Have I mentioned before its a slippery slope? I felt like death on my first 100km, and, well, let's just say I'm still slow but hopelessly addicted to long distances.

And yes Deveon & Cornwall are awful compared with Scotland.

 

[Big Nick]

Congrats mate, over 60 miles is still currently a target for me having had a longest ride of 34 miles thus far (started just after Xmas)

On the plus side I could of gone further on that ride but had reached my destination and had an appointment with a hot tub and posh evening meal that night!

Looks like you only live 4 miles away from me so you may overtake me on a regular basis!

 

[Davos87]

Cheers Big Nick. And it's probably you that overtakes me. Usually huffing and puffing personified until other cyclists hove into view then double quick assume aero tuck and adopt a very convincing ' been doing this cycling malarkey for years and it's a doddle ' impression until they whizz past.
Felt I wasn't making any real progress with regard to increasing my mileage but sort of just went for it yesterday. Sure it won't be long before you're clocking up centuries before long but the main thing is just being out in the fresh air, countryside and enjoying it.
BTW I'm quite easy to spot... GIANT Defy and a bright red Pearl Izumi Jacket that more often than not matches the colour of my face.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Well done

 

[Triban5riderGD]

Hear, hear, well done. Keep up the good work.

 

[Big Nick]

Hmm Davos, your description above sounds suspiciously like a guy who came flying past me on Black Horse Lane last Wednesday lunchtime!!!

 

[MikeG]

.......... Don't know it myself but he reserves special mention for Porlock Hill????

Don't mention Porlock Hill without doffing your cap to the cycling gods! It was the steepest road in England when it was open to cars, (averaging 1 in 4 but with one hairpin in particular that felt more like 1 in 2!!) and I once met a caravan coming down back wards out of control as its tow car failed to make it. And yep, Devon and Cornwall trumps Scotland for hills every day of the week.

Congrats on the PB! You'll get your food right next time...... a big breakfast is the key starting point, and then little-and-often once you're on the bike.