Whether measured as total time or saddle time, riding an imperial century at an average speed of 20 mph or greater is an impressive accomplishment for any recreational cyclist. For those who are athletically gifted, a sub–5 hour century may not be a big deal. (I know quite a few cyclists that have ridden the distance 'solo' inside five hours). Aside from the dedication to train for the endeavour, the ease in which one is able to achieve the challenge is somewhat dependent on the cardiovascular system that one is born with. Those gifted with the equivalent of a V8 engine have the potential to ascend to the Lance Armstrongs of the cycling world. But for those of us with something pertaining to four cyclinders, there's a limit to how much one can accomplish through aggressive training.

My personal interest in riding a sub–5 century developed over the last five years. I rode my first century at 16 mph. At the time a sub–5 ride seemed a long way off. But then three to four years later I was routinely riding them at 18 mph+. Then I bought a carbon-frame bike and was soon achieving average speeds of 19 mph+ on end-of-season rides. A 20 mph ride now seemed quite possible.

Someone then suggested that if I could share the draft with six or seven similarly matched riders, my goal would easily be reached. However finding several riders with a sub–5 target on any given recreational ride is a challenge in itself. The answer of course was to develop a ride in which the entire field of participants shares this goal. The result is the Sub–5 Century Challenge ride for Parkinson's disease research. This unique new local ride will be held on September 12, 2010, and provides the ultimate opportunity to ride the fastest century of one's life. It represents the quintessential end-of-season blow-out ride.

Join us! You might surprise yourself.