The reasons, of course, are as varied as the riders themselves. For some, it’s a way to prove something to themselves or to others. Others sign up for charity events, where the fundraising give meaning to the distance. Some cyclists see it as a stepping stone: a first taste of endurance before tackling multi-day tours or ultra rides. And then there are those who are drawn to the camaraderie, training together with a club or group of friends before tackling the challenge side by side.
In short, riding a century isn’t only about the number on the cycling computer. It’s about meaning.
Why am I taking it on
So why did I decide that this was the year I’d ride my first 100-mile distance?
The biggest reason is that it’s not just my goal, it’s ours. My girlfriend and I set this challenge early this year. We wanted a shared adventure, something to aim for over the year, a goal that would give us memories as much as miles.
We are both drawn to adventures on the bike and enjoy watching ultra-endurance cycling events. Riding 100 miles seems like a good first taste of what it could be like. Could we handle the distance? Would we enjoy the process? Would it be a springboard to even bigger adventures?
Ride 100 miles, not just survive
We framed our goal in a very specific way. We want to ride 100 miles and finish with a smile. The target isn’t to limp home broken, aching, and discouraged. It’s to step off the bike tired but happy, knowing that we enjoyed the ride. And if all goes well, we should be looking forward to the next challenge.
Planning the ride itself
Another piece of the motivation puzzle is, admittedly, a personal hobby of mine: I enjoy planning routes. For me, the fun isn’t just in the riding but in the preparation, scrolling through maps and piecing together quiet roads and forested stretches, points of interest, so that it’s not just a challenge but also beautiful experience.
So, part of this century is my self-imposed test as a route designer. I want to create a ride that has the following characteristics:
- We start and finish at home. It’s so much more fun to just leave the house and ride, and who doesn’t love being at home after a hard ride, as opposed to getting on a train or car.
- We spend at least 60% of the time in a forested area.
- There is at least one point of interest for taking pictures, an old castle ruin probably.
- There is at least one great coffee and cake spot to stop and refuel at.
I will also try to keep the elevation within reason, going above 2000 m of elevation for a first century ride seems like adding unnecessary difficulty.
Looking ahead
So that’s my “why.” A mix of curiosity, adventure, and a desire to share the experience with someone important to me. What would it be for you? Is there something that would make you take on a challenge like that?
If you have been thinking about doing something similar, then I invite you to following along with me. The rest of this series will be about how I build up my training, how I’m learning to improve my nutrition and hydration on the bike, the gear that I will be using, and of course, the actual report from my century ride, whether it’s going to be a successful or not.
