Bike City Century
Thread started by
aksendz at 08.10.08 - 12:43 am
how fast is 15-20 mph?
reply
genius!
seriously though, is it faster then PF2?
aksendz08.10.08 - 1:12 am
reply
average speed at PF2 ride was 10mph tops, maybe less.
15 is a steady clip, 20 is bookin it. faster than 20 is pure hustle.
PS: I'm making all this shit up, so feel free to disagree.
bananaphone08.10.08 - 5:36 am
reply
No, i don't think you are too far off. But i do think the PF2 ride was faster than 10mph per everyone's comment that the ride was going a little fast for the group as a whole.
stevo408.10.08 - 6:59 am
reply
It depends on many factors including, terrain, distance of ride, your bike, your fitness level, etc etc etc.
kyber08.10.08 - 11:08 am
reply
I usually re-set my computer before I go on any ride. When I got home at the end of the night after PF2 my average for the ride was about 10.5. I live very close to the start/finish point of the ride, so that reflects pretty accurately only the ride itself, not my ride to/from. Keep in mind that includes any time my bike was in motion, including walking around the parking lot, coming to a stop, and riding very slowly as we were leaving stops when the ride was all bunched up. If I had to guess the average when we were riding "on the open road", I'd put our average at around 15 mph.
In contrast, when I commute to work (for example) riding by myself, my average going to work is about 12.5, coming home about 13.5. The difference is due to the hills (or maybe I'm just more excited to be going home than going to work).
mr rollers08.10.08 - 12:12 pm
reply
If the PF2 ride seemed fast to you in any way, then riding faster for 100 miles (and over much bigger hills) is going to be extremely difficult.
I want to be as inclusive as possible with this ride, but I also need to be realistic about keeping the pace fast enough so that we can finish the ride in a reasonable amount of time.
theroyalacademy08.10.08 - 12:36 pm
reply
I've talked to thetheroyalacademy extensively about the bike city 100. And, I think the goal is to have a good pace.
I just broke my foot, do I won't be scouting today, or riding the actual century. So, i have less of a problem being the asshole when it comes to discussing the level of fitness needed to make this ride.
Almost anyone can ride a hundred miles on a bike, with a little bit of training in the month or two before the ride. But, not everyone can ride a fast paced century.
The Bike City 100 is intended to be a faster ride.
Having said this, it isn't likely that Bike City 100 will be any faster than the first Dark Century. But, It may well be faster than all of the subsequent Dark Centuries. The Dark Century evolved over time to cater to 'first-time' and inexperienced riders. From what I have heard from theroyalacademy, Bike City 100 is focused more on riders confident in riding distance. And, the course has a good deal more elevation gain than the Dark Century has had in the past. It is a harder ride, and it is meant to be done fairly quickly.
So, don't go if you think anyone will have to wait on you..
Tell me how it goes. Maybe I'll hobble out to meet you at the start.
tern08.10.08 - 1:11 pm
reply
The difference between 15 and 20 mph avg is enormous. 20 mph avg. over 100 miles hlls is fast. It's not pro fast, but it's really quick. 15 mph over 100 miles with hills is moderate. And, most people who are comfortable with riding long distance can keep this pace on a road bike.
There. My two cents.
tern08.10.08 - 1:14 pm
reply
Tern is right: anyone can ride 100 miles if they're reasonably well fit. But, given the distance, it really only makes sense to me to do it somewhat fast (which he is also right about: not everyone can do that).....
On the other hand, if there is a
significant desire to make it a little slower paced, I am open to that. It might go along with the theme of the ride a bit better anyway. We just have to leave earlier. And maybe split into groups depending on ability (whereas I currently plan/hope for everyone to stick together).
Maybe it is time to start asking who is planning on coming? (And please note if you're a maybe, or if you want/need a slower pace, etc.)
1. theroyalacademy
2. ?
theroyalacademy08.10.08 - 1:26 pm
reply
2. aksendz - maybe - just started riding but lowed PF2 pace, hated the hills.
aksendz08.10.08 - 1:32 pm
reply
I want to do this ride.
But what is the date?
kyber08.10.08 - 1:38 pm
reply
@Kyber
This coming Saturday,
the 16th.
@aksendz
Oh boy, um, if you hated the hills on Friday (there were hills?), you are going to really hate Sepulveda pass. Even though we're going the easy way, it's still 3 miles of climbing.
theroyalacademy08.10.08 - 1:47 pm
reply
Guess I should add the other people who already said they want to do it....
1. theroyalacademy
2. lance k
3. nathansnider
4. rikk33
5. user1
6. aksendz (maybe)
7. ?
theroyalacademy08.10.08 - 1:54 pm
reply
Damn, I can't make it. There are races over at Encino.
kyber08.10.08 - 2:35 pm
reply
@kyber
What time are the races? The century is at night. Probably starting at 7pm.
theroyalacademy08.10.08 - 2:51 pm
reply
4:30pm.
I'll probably be there all night.
kyber08.10.08 - 2:56 pm
reply
Ah, well, that's too bad. But we might see you there -- the velodrome is a stop along the way. But not sure how late we'll get there.
theroyalacademy08.10.08 - 3:01 pm
reply
there was the long tunnel two right turns a short tunnel a right turn an a huuuge hill. Then the bridge was a killer as well.
aksendz08.10.08 - 3:10 pm
reply
Ive done a century at 20mph but i took a break usually every hour or so.
It really drains you... especially if you don't have enough calories to burn.
Lizzard08.10.08 - 3:15 pm
reply
Yeah...I"ve yet to see a MR rida do a 5 hour century. So, great LIzzard, you're the first. OH wait, you had breaks. Oh. okay. So it was slower than 20 mph avg. I guess it's just a matter of perspective. I could sprint down my street twice a day for three months straight and do a 28 mph avg. century. Hashaha!!!
tern08.10.08 - 3:49 pm
reply
aksendz, if you want to gauge how well you could handle a century, you might want to try a couple shorter medium-fast rides first and see how you feel.
Since I gather that you're in K-Town, the K-Town Forge'n'Gorge would probably be a good place to start. I don't know if they're still posting the ride here on MR, but it's usually about 20-25 miles long, at around 20mph. It meets every Wednesday at Wilshire/Western at 7:30 and leaves around 8-ish. It's a fun ride with cool people. Other rides of a similar pace and distance include Sunday Night Raccoons (Sundays in Pasadena), Bicykillers (Thursdays in the Valley) and Cubcamp (Thursdays on the Westside).
If you feel like you're going to die on one of these shorter fast rides, then you're definitely not ready for a century.
Some advice given for the recent
Tern of the Century ride included this:
"100 miles in a day on a bike is never an easy ride. No matter how fit you are or how slow we ride, it will be a major effort. If you have never ridden 100 miles in a day, and have not ridden 70 miles comfortably within the last two months, this ride is probably not for you."
Even though this will be my first century, I assume that the above advice comes from experience and probably serves as a rough guide for deciding whether you're ready. If you're not in shape yet, don't worry. There will be other centuries, and you can have fun getting ready for them in the meantime.
nathansnider08.10.08 - 3:52 pm
reply
Given that there has been no big outcry for a slower ride, I say we keep it fast. We're not going to be racing, by any means, but we should try to go at a pretty good pace.
Didn't finish up scouting the other day because I was sick and Tern broke his foot. Doing that this afternoon. Should have the final route later this evening or tomorrow.
theroyalacademy08.12.08 - 1:22 pm
reply
this sounds interesting, but not sure i can make it on saturday and not sure if i can keep up either. are you gonna post where/when you will go scouting today?
tfunk40808.12.08 - 2:42 pm
reply
Sorry. Didn't see your question until just now.
Yeah, I did the 25+ miles in the valley. Trust me when I tell you that it wasn't something you would've wanted to come along on. Riding in the Valley at night is super fun (long, straight roads; little traffic). Riding during rush hour is teh suck.
(I was riding then because I had dinner plans with people and thus was doing the scouting directly prior to that.) (And I'm dumb.)
-
Also, at the Ralph's I stopped at, somebody put AN EXTRA LOCK on my bike. Yup, I came out of the store and there was a padlock around a spoke and the bike rack. A few kids that were sitting there just laughed and walked away when I accused them of doing it.
Well, fuck, what am I supposed to do? I went back in the store and talked to the manager, asked if he had bolt cutters or a hack saw or something. All he could offer was a hammer. Not a lot of good that would do me.
Thankfully, I said to myself, "These kids are probably stupid enough that the combination is just...." -- and, sure enough, the combination was 666. The lock opened, I rode away.
Still, that is some fucked up shit.
theroyalacademy08.13.08 - 1:47 am
reply
That's sucky, but also amazing. Way to channel your inner hoodlum!
Did you finish all the scouting you needed?
nathansnider08.13.08 - 2:22 am
reply
I've made a couple changes (and am considering a third) on the leg from Chinatown through Pasadena. Was thinking about some re-scouting of that. Interested in helping out?
theroyalacademy08.13.08 - 2:29 am
reply
Sure! I'm doing the Forge'n'Gorge tomorrow, but I could scout on Thursday.
nathansnider08.13.08 - 3:33 am
reply
man that is hilarious (and messed up). if that happened to me i wouldn't know what to do.
looks like you have the route pretty much planned out but if you're gonna be doing more scouting on the westside let me know.
tfunk40808.13.08 - 1:56 pm
reply
Darn it Tern, it wouldn't be a Dark Century unless I couldn't make it! I'm DJing a wedding that night, otherwise I'd love to finally ride one of these.
cabhauler08.13.08 - 2:06 pm
reply
Hey, everybody, almost done with the route. Will have it up soon. But I have a question:
Anyone know if the 7-11 at Santa Monica & Sawtelle is open 24 hrs.?
theroyalacademy08.14.08 - 8:21 pm
reply
I've never seen a 7-11 closed.
I've even seen them open in the middle of blizzards in Upstate NY.
kyber08.14.08 - 8:24 pm
reply
Are they all 24hrs.? Guess I had never noticed. Don't ever go to them except on rides.
theroyalacademy08.14.08 - 8:48 pm
reply
Wow! Nice map. That must have taken forever.
tern08.14.08 - 10:02 pm
reply
That route map is jam-packed with hawtness. I can only imagine that the ride itself will be too. Looking forward to it.
nathansnider08.14.08 - 10:02 pm
reply
for sure, great route. wish i could be there. have fun!
tfunk40808.15.08 - 1:45 am
reply
Looks like a nice ride... I've never done a century before, but I bike around 60 miles in a day all the time. I also keep up with Bicykilllers. Now that I'm done with the qualifications, I'm in if we'll for sure get to C.R.A.N.K. Mob before they leave, since I've been trying to get to one of those for ages.
danya08.15.08 - 2:06 am
reply
Man....I wish I could make it to this ride.
Well, for everyone else....this is tomorrow!!!
tern08.15.08 - 8:03 am
reply
Oh, almost forgot about Lane.... Lane, if you're out there in internetland, are you still thinking of doing this thing?
theroyalacademy08.15.08 - 6:23 pm
reply
Century riders:
Tonight's the night. Looks like we're going to have a small, relatively fast group. Should be fun.
Please try to be at the meeting point at 6:30 so we can go over the route a little before we leave at 7.
Make sure to bring plenty of food and water for the first leg of the ride (approx. 18 miles). Bananas, people, bananas. Also, definitely bring lights. Cannot stress this enough: LIGHTS. And spare tube(s) that fit your bike.
See you soon!
theroyalacademy08.16.08 - 2:11 pm
reply
cant. wait. lubing my chain now...off to buy bananas soon...
Lance K08.16.08 - 4:40 pm
reply
SO JEALOUS! Have fun guys, if you need an extra rest stop in Burbank, (restrooms, water, snacks etc,) feel free to stop by! Sean knows where I live.
canadienne08.16.08 - 5:48 pm
reply
Bike City Century happened!
Bananas, people, bananas.
nathansnider08.17.08 - 6:36 am
reply
So, tell us about it. How did it go?
tern08.17.08 - 2:30 pm
reply
Due to multiple people cramping up, it ended up being a really small ride (as you can see from the pic), but ultimately pretty fast. I'd say we stuck to the 15-20 mph avg. rolling speed; yet about 10 mph total avg. with stops and cramps and everything. Only one flat! Sepulveda Pass wasn't all that big a deal. C.R.A.N.K. Mob dissolved early (for them) I guess, so we didn't get to meet up, which was sort of a bummer. Nathan's bag had a buffet in it, which was cool. Many bananas were consumed. Many miles covered. F.U.N.
theroyalacademy08.17.08 - 2:46 pm
reply
-->
Ridazz Roulette!
