Which Bike For First Attempt At A Century?

I've decided to try to ride the Apple Cider Century in Three Oaks, Michigan next year.  I know that some of you have participated in it, and others have probably heard of it.  It's in late September on pretty good roads in southwestern Michigan.  A beautiful place at a beautiful time of the year.  I've been riding around that area recreationally for a few years, on occasion.

I am 58 years old.  I am FAR from an uber-biker.  I'm overweight but not a Clydesdale, and I'm already working on decreasing the weight of my bike's engine by 20 or more pounds by the time of the event.  I ride recreationally and for general transportation purposes year-round.  The most I have ever ridden in a day was from around 40th and Western in Chicago, where I live, to 3 Floyds Brewing Co. in Munster.  It was about 65 miles round-trip, including a lunch (and ale) break in which I made the mistake of eating a lot of pierogies.  By the time I made it home, I felt quite...tested.  That was a lot longer than I usually go.

I'll take any preparation advice people want to give.  But here's my specific question:  which bike?  I don't have a lot to choose from.  Just two, in fact:  a 1996 Trek 730 hybrid and a 1986 Centurion Ironman road bike.  Both are in good shape and are pretty close to factory spec, although they now have slightly better wheels than when new.  The 730 has bullhorn-type handlebar extensions and I added cyclocross brakes to the Centurion so I can ride in a more upright position.  The frame sizes are correct for me.  I have about any size tire available for the 730 from 28s to 38s.  I normally keep a 28 on the front of the Ironman and a 26 on the rear.  I don't ride fast and I'm not trying to race anybody.  The 730 is a very comfortable bike.  The Centurion is quicker and a bit edgier in ride quality. 

Any recommendations on which bike would be better for a century, or tips on preparation?  Luckily, I have plenty of time to do what I need to do.

Thanks!       

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Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on December 1, 2015 at 10:49am

I think you'll enjoy the Apple Cider thing more if it won't be the first time you've done a century. 100 miles is of course a milestone, but if you are in decent shape it is not that huge of a deal. It isn't like running a marathon, especially if you are not racing. My advice is to pick some dates well in advance of the Cider by which you will have ridden a "practice" century on each of your bikes and then ride the one that seems like it will be the the most fun.

Permalink Reply by Tandemonium on December 1, 2015 at 2:19pm

+1 on the practice runs. Nobody on the internet is going to know whats right for you, give each a try for 50 miles and see. What did you ride to 3Floyds the first time? Do a couple 3F rides in the spring time one on each and then make a choice. Practice a couple more times on the one you choose to make sure its right by fall time.

My guess would be the road bike. The little bits of mechanical advantage start to add up on a century. Good luck.

Permalink Reply by Mike Bullis 5.5-6.5 miles on December 2, 2015 at 2:47am

The bike really doesn't matter as much as fit. You'll hurt in places you didn't know you had at mile 60 if the fit is off.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on December 2, 2015 at 3:36am

This is great! Congrats on setting your goal with plenty of time to prepare. I used to have a hybrid for my commuter and didn't find it the best bike for longer rides but I've seen plenty of people using them on centuries and metric centuries. It's really a personal preference of what is most comfortable for you. I did my first century and many metric centuries on a road bike with SPD pedals. I'd recommend (if you aren't already) considering clipping in if you are planning on doing the Apple Cider Century because you'll be needing to climb some hills.

With regards to prepping, Tony has some great advice about preparing. There are lots of long rides and you can work your way up to doing the century by doing some metric centuries e.g. Udder Century, Swedish Days, Joliet Metric Century (4th of July), and North Shore Century are great rides with a number of mile options. I've heard North Shore Century is the best first-time century because it's the "easiest" and mostly flat. 

Permalink Reply by David P. on December 2, 2015 at 4:16am

Ride whichever bike you are most comfortable on, and that has gearing suitable for the land you'll be riding in and your fitness level. I suspect this means the Trek.

Permalink Reply by Roland on December 2, 2015 at 10:37am

With knowing very little about your bikes (I've ridden a Trek 750 hybrid which I'm assuming is very similar to the 730) I would suggest the Centurion. I will also assume that your fit on both of these is correct (probably a big assumption).

I would choose this bike for a few different reasons. (1) It comes with drop handlebars which can give you one or two additional hand positions over the bullhorns and in the case you aren't riding with a group you can get in the drops if the wind gets to you. (2) The groupset that comes with that bike is probably superior to the hybrid's and could help with shifting on the hills (yes, there are some rolling hills). (3) the weight of the Centurion is probably at least 5-10 lbs lighter which may or may not matter to you.

If you choose to go the hybrid route I would make sure you keep the tires on the smaller end of the width scale. It may not matter much over 10-20 miles, but over the course of a century it definitely will matter.

My training advice would be to set weekly mileage goals and plan a long ride on the weekend. Gradually increase the mileage of the long ride by 5 or 10 miles every week until you get to at least 85 or 90 miles. Don't forget about hydration and eating along the way. It is very important to keep yourself fed and hydrated during your training rides and understand your body's signs of needing nourishment.

hth

-roland

Permalink Reply by Jerry Lee on December 2, 2015 at 10:39am
do a practice run next August by riding the slow century by Art Gilfan with association with Chicago Cycling Club or Evanston Bicycle club, it's a joint venture of the 2 clubs. I believe there is sag support too, not bad for a club ride. Since it is slow ride, probably in the area 6 to 8 hours. I think it is on the North Shore Century route.
Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on December 2, 2015 at 8:41pm

I thank each of you who have responded for your advice.  I will definitely do some longer rides, probably in the form of laps around the LFP between Pershing and 79th.  Each lap would be around 10 miles.  I will try both bikes.  Yasmeen, I am tempted by clipless pedals and may try some in the spring.  I have been happy with the half-clip strapless pedals I have used for years, but times change and we change with them.   As an added incentive, I have told my friends about this and invited public shaming if I don't at least try.  Some of them seem suspiciously eager.   

Permalink Reply by mike w. on December 3, 2015 at 3:08am

i would also advise, as a former South Sider (79th & California,) that you head out to the Palos  area and do some hill work. i seem to remember that you can find some rollers out there that mimic what you'll encounter  on the ACC course.

 As for tyres, i would stick with 28mm or even 32mm width if your frame allows the clearance. Find some with a nice lightweight casing and run them at about 75% of the max inflation and you'll be more comfortable over the long miles. The roads on the ACC are generally pretty good, but can be a little bumpy in stretches.

i'd also recommend drop bars as they'll offer more places to put your hands over the hours.

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on December 3, 2015 at 4:15am

ACC is one of my favorite, with the beautiful scenery. But like Tony said, you'd enjoy it more if it weren't your first century.

One of the easiest century ride would be the North Side Century that starts in Evanston and go to Wisconsin border (usually runs 1 week before ACC). They have great food at every stop and you won't even need to carry too many pick-me-up bars in your back pocket. And, there's hardly any big hills - as opposed to ACC. And the food in ACC is just okay and I'd rather bring my own on that ride and carry more energy bars with me. My wife did her first century on this ride this year.

As far as bike is concerned, get the most comfortable and lightest bike you can ride 100-miles on. Usually saddle choices will make the biggest difference, as you'll be sitting on it a bit longer. And because you're going on ACC, you'd need to make sure your bike has enough gears to tackle some hills. Not the worst hills, but trying, if you're not used to them.

I ride 25mm front and back tires on my bike for ACC as we don't encounter enough to warrant thicker tires and I'd need the bike to be lighter. I would put 23, but my overweight body will not be kind to the wheels.

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on December 3, 2015 at 10:23am

I'm getting some really valuable info.  Thanks again!

Permalink Reply by J2O on December 3, 2015 at 11:18am

I think the ACC is a great first century.  It's relatively flat, very well-attended, you'll have very friendly locals, and the support options are good.  You'll have some headwinds whenever you're going West, but just getting behind someone will be a big help.

Find a partner.  Most people shouldn't do their first century alone.  Find someone who has already done a century that can support you or at least a person with whom you can comiserate when things get tough.

Given your options, go with the road bike.  Hybrids are fine, but after 30-40 miles, you'll regret not having the road bike.

Train up for it.  You don't need to do the full hundred miles, but a training ride or two at 65 (or so) miles should be in your back pocket by the time you get to Michigan.  The stronger you are before the ride, the happier the experience will be.

Rest stops.  It's okay, but not necessary to stop at every rest stop.  If you do stop, have a plan.  Get off the bike, refill your water bottles, grab a bite, go pee, stretch a little, get back on the bike.  Try to keep the stops under 15 minutes or you'll start to cool down and get stiff.

Enjoy it.  Take in the sights, talk to people, maybe snap a few photos.

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