The Metric Century (100KM) A Month Challenge ChatZone

[Dogtrousers]

And what exactly is wrong with "miserably grinding up hills until exhausted"?

It's the exhausted bit.

Ethics be damned, my next few rides are going to be below the ethical line of 1000m per 100km.

Last Sunday was a horrible experience. I've felt better after 300 and 400km than I felt after that imperial century. A man's gotta know his limitations.

 

[Sbudge]

You're admitting to unethically flat here

Isn't "miserably grinding up hills until exhausted" the worst case scenario, and then when it's not actually quite as bad as that it seems like a great day out?

Of course there's always "happily grinding up hills until exhausted then miserably grinding up hills some more". Luckily in the Chilterns most of the climbs are only 100m-150m of elevation (though often quite steep) so most rides are something of a roller-coaster.

 

[steverob]

Of course there's always "happily grinding up hills until exhausted then miserably grinding up hills some more". Luckily in the Chilterns most of the climbs are only 100m-150m of elevation (though often quite steep) so most rides are something of a roller-coaster.

Well of course on Saturday I was happily grinding up hills in the first half of the ride, but that became exhaustedly grinding up what were really no more than gentle slopes by the last few miles!

 

[Dogtrousers]

Well of course on Saturday I was happily grinding up hills in the first half of the ride, but that became exhaustedly grinding up what were really no more than gentle slopes by the last few miles!

It's when you find yourself exhaustedly grinding on the flat and still have a big ridge of hills to cross that the last vestige of fun disappears.

 

[Noodle Legs]

Took full advantage of my day off work and set off on a sunny ride over to Skegness. Set off just after 7am, skirted around the Vale of Belvoir and NE towards Newark, before heading east towards Skeg-Vegas.

The magical westerly wind I keep hearing of that “blows you into skeg” escaped me yet again- it was N-NE so practically head on all the way and at best a sidewind and may explain why the temperature was quite cool. It only became a problem once crossing the open fenlands of Lincolnshire so I had to be careful not to be blown into oncoming traffic.

Stopped in Navenby for a quick coffee and a bite before setting off again for the last 40 miles or so.

The route was extremely pleasant with lots of scenic views and well away from the major A routes but if I did it again I’d tweak the off road section from Cotham to Newark to an on road bit and another off road section between East Keal and Halton Holegate because they were just awful.

102.7 miles in 6:16.

https://strava.app.link/VoHyA4mSlV

https://www.relive.cc/view/2239676694

 

[ColinJ]

Afnug pointed out that my route was not completely flat. True - if I had stuck to the original route it would have had about 700 m (2,300 ft) of ascent in 161 km (100 miles) but that is only 4.35 m per km ridden (23 ft per mile) rather than my local average of 20 m per km (100 ft per mile). It felt pretty flat apart from a few notable little climbs.

You're admitting to unethically flat here

I did a typical Calderdale 50 km ride this afternoon and it came in at 1,045 m of ascent, so near enough 21 m/km. That was without any effort to seek out hills!

 

[ColinJ]

Shameless plug: If any of you are looking to get a scenic metric century in this coming Saturday, have not yet decided on the route, and can make it to Whalley (near Accrington) by 10:00***, you would be welcome to accompany me and @Littgull on my Conder Green forum ride.



*** Or 100 miles from Todmorden, starting at 08:30

 

[Bazzer]

April's done, but I needed to get it out of the way early on because of commitments.
I have to say that Easterly wind was a tad chilly at 7.30 and I found myself wondering about the sensibility of shorts, particularly as every other rider I saw had tights/leggings. And it wasn't until around 10 that some warmth began to be felt from the sun's rays.
A couple of dickhead close passers who will be reported to Cheshire police later today, but I will not be holding my breath they will do anything.
Would that every road was like this on the route,

which was where I had a cheese sandwich, with the Pinarello rider in the distance on the first picture, having slowed down to make sure everything was OK. - Which was decent of him.

Edit. Cheshire police have been in touch to say the registered keepers of the two close passers are being contacted to provide the names of the drivers for them to be dealt with.

 

[Dogtrousers]

April done. A super flat circuit around Rugby. My word it's flat here.

I was going so fast at one point that a couple of roadies came and sat on my wheel, putting me at the front of a mini peloton. I felt well important. Until we hit a teeny incline and they were gone.

 

[Dogtrousers]

To log a ride, add a post containing all of your 2019 metric centuries to date. One ride per line, with the date, distance, short route description, and any links you want to add.

@PeteXXX

 

[Ajax Bay]

Thought I'd share this map that @PeteXXX posted on the 'challenge' thread.

April's Metric Century completed.
101 km last night.

https://strava.app.link/8IPJSBOTGV

That'll be 4 points, so far.

 

[PeteXXX]

Here ya go.. Rulez now followed


Stupid idea, I know, but I did my April 100k ride on my commute home last night/this morning.

Luckily I have good lights as I set off at 22.45, and crawled into bed just after 04.00

I was quite glad of the 24hr McDonald's for a Hot Choccy @ 03.00..

Further report will be posted in The Other Place later today.

Running total: 4 points

 

[gbs]

APRIL- a probable void: I could have easily completed a century ride on April 5th but returned home with only 85k traveled. Now I am sidelined with a calf injury for 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: do it as soon as you can. As they used to say in Chicago "vote early and often".

GOOD LUCK to you all.

 

[Noodle Legs]

APRIL- a probable void: I could have easily completed a century ride on April 5th but returned home with only 85k traveled. Now I am sidelined with a calf injury for 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: do it as soon as you can. As they used to say in Chicago "vote early and often".

GOOD LUCK to you all.

Get well soon @gbs, hope you make it back in time

 

[Noodle Legs]

April done.

Did a tour right around Leicestershire taking in all the main towns along the way including Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Hinckley, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Loughborough and Coalville. Sunny all day but very cold to start including a few drops of rain on the rolling countryside between Market Harborough and Melton. I kept this as low an intensity as possible as I was a little fatigued from previous efforts inside and out this week, though this was difficult to do at times with lumpy roads and a biting NE wind.

115.2 miles in 7:15.
https://strava.app.link/UJ6CpZ8hRV
https://www.relive.cc/view/2286976429