The Chainlink

Suggestions for 1st Century ride - can and will travel

I am looking at completing my first century in the late summer/fall and am perfectly willing to travel as well.I have heard the perimeter ride is great but I won't be ready for that. As it stands now I think I can be ready by mid-late September at the earliest. As far as what I am looking for, I'd like something on the flatter side, and at least some support along the route. So any recommendations, advice, or century rides to avoid? So far I have been looking into the following: 

Tour de St. George ( http://spingeeks.com/falltour.html ) 
Honolulu Century Ride ( http://www.hbl.org/ ) 

on another note, any recommendations for centuries abroad for future reference would be great as well. 

Thanks !

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Permalink Reply by Craig S. on August 19, 2010 at 1:33pm
I rode the NSC years ago. I've ridden centuries and other organized rides in California, Iowa, here and elsewhere and the NSC was by far the worst organized riding experience I've ever had. The cue sheets sucked, the signage sucked, the rest stops sucked and the route was awful; I'd rather ride two loops of the LFP on a summer weekend.

At that point in my life a sub 5.5 hour century was anything but difficult and I rode the NSC in less than 6. When I got back to the start all there was left to eat or snack or drink was hot coffee. Oh yes, hot coffee is great after a a day in the saddle. Perhaps it's gotten better in the last 9 years but my experience was so awful I said I'd never go back to it.

Keep training Ruben so you'll be ready for TOMRV in June.
Permalink Reply by Digital Dario on August 19, 2010 at 2:06pm
More of a fitness level concern. I rode 37 miles for the first time two days ago and the entire time I was thinking damn that perimeter ride is going to kick my ass. I had an avg speed of about 12mpg/ pace of ~5min/mile. After which I had some pizza and a few beers and ended up riding a few miles more back home. I may end up riding some of the perimeter ride anyway but I just wanted to get in on a century ride before the year is out.....Let me change my maybe to a definite yes at on the perimeter ride.

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
Ruben,

Are you thinking you wouldn't be ready for the Perimeter Ride next Saturday because of bike troubles or fitness level?

I highly recommend at least riding the Lakefront Path section with us. (If I remember correctly, we'll be coming over to the lake en masse on North Ave, then heading south.) It's a slow social ride (part of the reason it's scheduled for all day), and if you don't feel up to continuing at any point on the lakefront, you can always turn around. We stop for lunch on the south side, and dinner is at Superdawg at Devon and Milwaukee.

I'm just saying I would reconsider doing the Perimeter Ride (if only part of it.)
Permalink Reply by Duppie on August 19, 2010 at 2:32pm
Ruben Dario said:
After which I had some pizza and a few beers and ended up riding a few miles more back home.

Sounds like you are a prime candidate for the Perimeter Ride. That all it is: Ride a "few" miles, eat, drink, ride a few miles more. Repeat a few times.
I'd agree with Ryan. The perimeter ride is a great ride. I'd venture to say it was the best ride I did last year, specially because it was non-competitive and took us to parts of the city that I had never been to.
Since it goes north on the west side of the city, it's easy to peel off if you feel to tired. You can even take the CTA if you want
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on August 19, 2010 at 2:56pm
Craig,
Hands off the coffee, it's for the volunteers, OK?
Hope you didn't steal their donuts too.

Craig S. said:
I rode the NSC years ago. I've ridden centuries and other organized rides in California, Iowa, here and elsewhere and the NSC was by far the worst organized riding experience I've ever had. The cue sheets sucked, the signage sucked, the rest stops sucked and the route was awful; I'd rather ride two loops of the LFP on a summer weekend.

At that point in my life a sub 5.5 hour century was anything but difficult and I rode the NSC in less than 6. When I got back to the start all there was left to eat or snack or drink was hot coffee. Oh yes, hot coffee is great after a a day in the saddle. Perhaps it's gotten better in the last 9 years but my experience was so awful I said I'd never go back to it.

Keep training Ruben so you'll be ready for TOMRV in June.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on August 19, 2010 at 3:53pm
Woah woah, you mean you don't like on-road route markings that look like f'in' utility markings(would a few stencils break the bank?) or rest stops that are either off the route or make finding the route a minor pain(I'm looking at you Kenosha rest stop location in that park that you pretty much need to cross to find the route again!)?

Craig S. said:
I rode the NSC years ago. I've ridden centuries and other organized rides in California, Iowa, here and elsewhere and the NSC was by far the worst organized riding experience I've ever had. The cue sheets sucked, the signage sucked, the rest stops sucked and the route was awful; I'd rather ride two loops of the LFP on a summer weekend.
At that point in my life a sub 5.5 hour century was anything but difficult and I rode the NSC in less than 6. When I got back to the start all there was left to eat or snack or drink was hot coffee. Oh yes, hot coffee is great after a a day in the saddle. Perhaps it's gotten better in the last 9 years but my experience was so awful I said I'd never go back to it.
Keep training Ruben so you'll be ready for TOMRV in June.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on August 19, 2010 at 3:57pm
Cool. See you there.

Ruben Dario said:
More of a fitness level concern. I rode 37 miles for the first time two days ago and the entire time I was thinking damn that perimeter ride is going to kick my ass. I had an avg speed of about 12mpg/ pace of ~5min/mile. After which I had some pizza and a few beers and ended up riding a few miles more back home. I may end up riding some of the perimeter ride anyway but I just wanted to get in on a century ride before the year is out.....Let me change my maybe to a definite yes at on the perimeter ride.

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
Ruben,

Are you thinking you wouldn't be ready for the Perimeter Ride next Saturday because of bike troubles or fitness level?

I highly recommend at least riding the Lakefront Path section with us. (If I remember correctly, we'll be coming over to the lake en masse on North Ave, then heading south.) It's a slow social ride (part of the reason it's scheduled for all day), and if you don't feel up to continuing at any point on the lakefront, you can always turn around. We stop for lunch on the south side, and dinner is at Superdawg at Devon and Milwaukee.

I'm just saying I would reconsider doing the Perimeter Ride (if only part of it.)
Permalink Reply by mike w. on August 19, 2010 at 5:44pm
Since they're a couple of weeks apart, why not do both the NSC & Apple Cider? i've done the NSC on-and-off over the years, and in '08 & '09 it seemed pretty well run to me. i don't think it ever "sucked" as someone else said, but to each his own. My favourite part of the NSC is at the turnaround by the Kenosha Velodrome- i always try to do a couple of laps there for old times' sake. Can't go this year. Damn.

The Apple Cider is one of the best organised i've ever ridden and usually a whole lot of fun especially with good company. Terrain is rolling but not hard. Food's decent, good rest stops, pretty good roads, BIG turnout. i've ridden it for years, and am returning to it this year after a two year hiatus (i broke a 14 year streak in '08 and i miss it.) There is a field limit, so you should sign up soon if you want to go.
Permalink Reply by Ricardo Cervantes on August 19, 2010 at 7:04pm
I have to throw my 2 cents in on the Perimeter Ride. I rode it for the first time 2 years ago, and was also unsure what to expect. If you can handle 37 milers....you can handle the Perimeter Ride. Keep in mind that we make plenty of stops to rest/rehydrate/sightsee. It's a ton of fun. It's become my favorite ride of the year.

It also doesn't always come in at exactly 100 miles. 2 years ago I believe it came in at 92 miles. I was kind of disappointed because I wanted to be able to say I did the 100. Last year seemed like it was going to end a bit short of the 100, so I kept riding a bit more and returned to the Handlebar at 102.

I'm by no means a specimen of physical fitness, so if I can do it....you should be fine.

Hope you come out for the ride.

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