Proper Century Chat
Right then, new year, new challenge.
A Proper Century a month for 2012, 12 in 12.
The proposition is as basic as the Metric Century Challenge, just a little harder. You must ride one proper century of 100 of the queen's finest miles a month during 2012. Only single continuous rides of at least 100 miles qualify, not a daily or weekly total of several shorter rides that exceed 100 miles. Tea stops are allowed, nay mandatory.
There will be no prizes as offered in the Metric Century Challenge, just the quiet pride and achievement of having completed 100 cold miserable miles in the rain in February, a lovely proper sweaty century in the height of Summer and then 100 cold miserable miles in the rain in November.
It's all about the challenge, the only reward is having done it, and the fear of the chorus of not angry, just disappointed tutting from those you told you were doing this.
Sign up and tell tales of monthly struggle and joy below.
Well I suppose I'm obliged to throw my nice white Rouleur cap into the ring, aren't I? 
well, as it's your idea i wouldn't want you to fall at the first hurdle
It seems a little easy to me to be honest - I am in training for lands-end to john o'groats and back and that means at least 1 century every week, stepping up to 5 a week as the events draws closer!
I say make it a 1 per week, there's a challenge!
4 GoPro's, lots of memory cards, 3000 miles, and 2 support vehicles, all following Chris 'Hoppo' Hopkinson on RAAM - what could possibly go wrong!?!? www.teamhoppo.co.uk
Damn, why do you make things so tempting Vecchio? The glory instead of the prize!! Off to do a few route planners!!
I'm up for it. Never yet done a century (90 miles my current best) but I want to ramp up the mileage this year so it'll be a motivator.
Rob
I'm in. But not til next year. Is that ok? 
hmm, even though I'm barely capable of riding half that far, am strangely tempted to give it a shot. (wondering who I could find to join me and jolly me along - or pull me on a bungee - when collapse and weep at the roadside...)
Of course.
Which hedge are the pork pies hidden under?
:^)
The spirit is willing but ...
It would be seriously dangerous to even try in Abu Dhabi during summer - cold and rain may be unpleasant but they don't leave you needing an intravenous drip.
Edit: So I didn't get any imperials in July and August as expected, but am back in September.
Aiming to do at least 12 in 12, just not one per month.
Jan 1 125.5 miles (metric double)
Jan 27 108.7 miles
Feb 17 103.8 miles
Feb 24 105 miles
Mar 16 124.9 miles (metric double)
Mar 23 107.2 miles
Apr 27 107 miles
May 18 102 miles (temp 44C - probably the last for a while)
June 1 102 miles (up to 45C now !)
Sep 21 104 miles (first one after summer - only 42C now)
Is it about a bicycle ?
100 of the Queen's miles...do the feed stops serve swan?
I had wondered about doing the Audax RRTY which is 200km once a month - I started in December. Doubt I am well enough organised to keep that up so this might suit me better.
Need to get over this cold that means I am yet to ride this year first though.
for those that havent done a century before it really does sound a great deal worse than it is.
I only started cycling about 3 months ago now after a 17 year lay-off.
with some solid consistant riding I did my first century after about 8 weeks ( it helped that I took a wrong turn and did 20 miles more than I planned that night!) my arm was aching a little from a 10 mile incline and I was tired but it really wasnt as bad as I thought it would be.
I went out last week up to the peak district and did 120 miles with about 3 miles of climbing involved and a lot of rain and its just such an enjoyable way to spend 8 hours! ( i dont stop for coffee or cake!)
If you havent done your first century yet then load your pockets up as soon as the weather abates and just climb aboard your steed, and just enjoy a full days adventure
for your first one, just aim for the flattish areas!
enjoy
4 GoPro's, lots of memory cards, 3000 miles, and 2 support vehicles, all following Chris 'Hoppo' Hopkinson on RAAM - what could possibly go wrong!?!? www.teamhoppo.co.uk
I think I'm in. Sounds a bit nerve wracking actually...
@ vecchio - is there a limit on tea breaks and frequency 
will need to dig out my old computer as some trips involve the ferry LOL!
Well I'm in and already regretting it. January is done:
http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/triplettravel/1509fj14n6j422i4
107 miles and since my rules say I can't ride my summer bike in winter this was on my commuter with dynamo and saddle bag. I can feel the rules slipping in February if there is a dry day for the next one. At least I saw no time limit for it so my 7 hours 35 minutes can be ignored.
February done:
http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/triplettravel/fhhl6nf6cfb0dmi0
Not a bad route, only took one wrong turn, well missed a turn as we wer having too much fun going down hill to Goring. Again not fast but there are no prizes for speed and I kept to my no summer bike rule. This time riding my ancient Pearson Tourer. 12 speed when 12 speed meant 6 on the back and 2 on the front. I'm sure I used to be able to handle the friction shifters better but it was still good. Thankful of the mudguards at the end when the heavens opened.
I'm in too. I presume we're supposed to keep track of them in this thread?
January turned out to be a bit spikier than planned!
Did mine today. Had a cold, got a couple of short rides in before a mtb weekend then picked up an injury 30 seconds into a run. Another week off1 So did 103 miles today. Was slow for most of it and only picked up on last 40km.
Well, seeing as I'm partly responsible for this, I somehow felt obliged to deliver slightly more than strictly required.
So, a metric double.
At night.
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/ko5drSoco8M
And, if you care to derive some pleasure at my expense, it was fairly miserable. Hadn't had enough sleep in the preceding week; and the cold, damp air took its toll as well. Suffice it to say that it was rather a taller order than happily doing similar distances last summer.
It was also a trial run for a lengthy ride in the dark, and a solo ride spending hours on end staring at a patch of rolling tarmac does, it transpires, send you slightly mad.
Anyway, in the final count it was 127 miles and 2500m of climbing - it just would have been more enjoyable had I not been so cold and tired. But hey. That's January
What's cooking for February, then? Over halfway through the month and no-one's flopped one out...? (Me? Next week, since you asked.)
i've had the snuffles since the start of the month, desperately trying to get the legs/lungs up to speed before squeaking one out last minute, that extra day might come in useful
January was a strike out due to a hairline fracture in elbow 
more or less healed up. Aiming for an imperial c before month end. Fingures crossed that it works out
Got my February score in today, so that's two done.
February done - from Guildford to Lewes and then up to Look Mum No Hands for The Ride Journal's issue 6 launch. 105 miles, so only just enough, but enough.
February done:
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/39580949
110 miles - similar to my January loop but with some nice backroad diversions lead by Jo. Unseasonally warm day for Feb - was sweating in my full length tights until the sun began to set.
as GavinTs post, but a bit more at 115 miles to get to his house and back.
lovely day for it, first ride of the season in 3/4s, over-socks not shoes and "Not Winter" tops
slightly spoilt by agonising stomach/kidney pain for the last 40 miles or so, but i MTFUed and ground my teeth down, just like Tyler and his broken bone, but a bit more middle-aged and trapped wind
You certainly picked the best day for it. I was happy enough with just seeing daylight
Note for next time - one bottle PSP, one bottle gripe water.
March done. Moving house in a little over a week so thought I had better do it now. 103 miles.
March done. 117 miles due to a navigation error resulting in an extra hill and ~ 8 miles.
http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/triplettravel/c4a37edd911cnfq2
Fantastic day for it.
Yep March done - 108 miles - actually 110 but I forgot to switch the GPS on for a couple of miles.
was out in the same peloton as GavinT on the traditional start of Spring 100 miler, with the odd classic-inspired off-road section including an impromptu bit of ruff-stuff in Ashdown Forest to avoid a massive detour round a forest fire..
The very thought of training for the century challenge scares me. I think attempting the 100 km routes every single month would be extremely tough. Completing this would probably be one of the highlights of anyone's life. Though there are no tangible rewards to speak about, there is always the quiet pride that you have accomplished something that few others did.
Louis - http://www.indiebike.com
March done by the skin of my teeth - some sort of chest infection took me out until about a week ago, but managed a token 101-miler on Saturday.
Tried a new approach to the century, looping round roads that I normally do 30-40 mile commutes on. Seems to encourage more speed
April done. Felt rough from the start as I did on Good Friday when I was supposed to do this and turned home after 15 miles. Heavy rain down into Hope but came out of the cafe in bright sunshine and eventually picked up climbing Beeley Moor after about 60 miles and ride home was more comfortable.
I did April on Good Friday but due to some paranoia spread by the press and the Police about thieves using GPS tracks to find bikes to steal it has taken a while to post the track.
http://app.strava.com/rides/6462156
My first ride to the coast this year.
127 in the "April" box for me, please. (A long way off what I'd planned, but helpfully I'd managed not to ride a bike for the last four weeks - bah!)
another one sneaked in under the wire on the last day of the month, worth the wait though, especially after the last week or so as the weather was really rather lovely, but the wind made up for it, had to go round the block to clock up the full century
Yep - out with Jo for a tick in the April box. Perfectly timed, here comes the rain now!
And now it's May. Time for me and Gavin to start high-rolling
Got my May one done on Saturday, 188 miles.
Chapeau!
May done. Cheated slightly as it was part of the South Western Road club's May flier. By the time I had ridden to the start of their 95 mile route and back home again I had nearly 110 miles under my belt.
May done - rode about 63 miles from home to a ~40 mile Help For Heroes ride, and then back again, for 167.5 in total.
100.1 miles
rode the Wight Riviera Sportive which at 96 miles long seemed a silly distance to stop so tagged an extra 4 miles riding round Yarmouth to make up the distance
ride to Spin Up In A Brewery, then ride to Haywards Heath station to get the train up to Clapham for the London To Brighton Night Ride, ride home.
108 miles all in all, not all in one go, but 18 hrs in the same shorts, can i claim a Chamois Century?
Gavin and I managed... er.. about 30 hours and a chamois double century in the same shorts at the weekend.
I mean, in our own shorts, each, individually, like. You know. Not *the same* shorts.
Mm, I was wondering whether to mention that or not!
June done. Strava says this was only 99.3 miles but my speedo said it was 101 miles after we road an extra bit up the road to make sure.
There were some quite big hills!
http://app.strava.com/rides/10815323
Really great ride.
June dine on the South Downs.
100.74 off-road miles along the South Downs Way
would have done the extra couple of miles to complete the whole SDW but it was dark and the clock showed 100.00 about half a mile from where the car was parked just down the hill
I had Friday off work for my June century, but preparation for Mini Me's birthday party the following day knocked it out.
Curses.
So I'm officially in the broom wagon after just 5 months
Did the SDW century with Jo - It's a few years since I last rode all of it. I swear it's go longer. And steeper too!
Did the SDW century with Jo - It's a few years since I last rode all of it. I swear it's go longer. And steeper too!
July done. Due to a scheduling cock up with my usual riding partner I had to do this twice.
First a nice loop down to Petworth on the 7th July. 110 miles
http://app.strava.com/rides/july-century-12713232?ref=1MT1yaWRlX3NoYXJlO...
Then a 109.9 mile loop down to Horsted Keynes and back Via "The Wall" which turned out to be quite a disappointment on the 14th:
http://app.strava.com/rides/july-century-number-2-13344395?ref=1MT1yaWRl...
Finally got my s*** together to post. All clear from the doc regards hairline fracture in elbow allowed me to do some training and hammer out to centuries over June. I ask you - keen as mustard first up waas flat out in the fens sportive - all 154 miles of it with 90% of the course with a block headwind/crosswind. Ground that one out in 8'45". Next up a couple of weeks later was a 120 mile loop down in the midlands! Now into July and off the bike again for long distances due to some unexplained cough/chest infection. Hey ho. But that's two. Maybe once I'm back up and running be able to. Rattle a few more out 
I can offer a few choices this month!
First up is the 363 miles Paris Brest run:
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/jj4oH2SFP14
...but over 36 hours. Still, at last one of those centuries should count!
But if not happy with that I can offer this Mont St Michel/St Malo run:
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/tf6C02khaHo
...or today's ride up to box hill to watch the olympic cycling.
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/lUQ7xZxfDt8
Good month
the same as Gavin, er, the last one, up to Box Hill and back the pretty way (Steyning Bostal after 90 miles, yeah, ok) and a detour to the chip shop
grand day out
Are we down to just four left in the game now? Well done, chaps.
I'm still in.
August done with a nice 120 miler to Littlehampton on Saturday with not too much rain.
http://app.strava.com/rides/august-century-16450207?ref=1MT1yaWRlX3NoYXJ...
September done. A fantastic day riding 140 miles from East Molesey in Surrey to Yeovil. Slightly spoiled by the Pub we normally finish in for a Pint being closed!
http://app.strava.com/activities/21273849
Beginning to feel apprehensive about the possibility of cold Centuries in the remaining months.
September done
Autumn Equinox and the last crisp sunny day before the rains, headed north into the Surrey Hills where the Rapha count was up 72.5%
Yep September done:
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/94047786
mystery tour starting from Petersfield courtesy of Bez - I enjoyed it even if he didn't.
It's ok, my lithium's kicked in now
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/97613079
Early 112 miler for October - well the sun was out and the weather's unlikely to get much better now.
October done. 107 miles to Brighton and back.
http://app.strava.com/rides/24147572
Despite the overnight rain it was a really good ride just a few flooded sections of road.
Are we down to just 2 now?
I think all the remaining riders are in the South East. Any chance we could meet up on the December ride? Share a pot of tea.
Anyone interested?
Might be up for that even though I'm out. Gavin and I were planning on revisiting the Isle of Wight at some point (logistically straightforward if you're on the Woking line), though a route to chalk up 100 miles is a little wiggly
well October was, um, a struggle
a cold at the start of the month well and truly stuck on the lungs for a few weeks and i only managed a couple of quick rides in the last week to see if i'd die
another last day panic, out into the wind, intermittent rain and leafy greasy corners i was pretty much cooked at 50 miles but limped on, it's a good job everyone i know was at work otherwise i'd have called them up to give me a lift home, and also lucky my route wasn't close to any train stations. at about 70 miles i had to stop at the bottom of what you'd struggle to call a climb, which is something i haven't done since i was about 12, where i had to give myself a stern talking to.
at 90 miles my body remembered it was a cyclist, suddenly woke up and we romped home, laughing. weird.
the same route as September, but 50 minutes slower, phoo.
November done. 104 miles of hills including four from the 100climbs book.
Now looking forward to December. Going to need lights.
another month completely banjaxed by a snuffly cold leading to yet another last-day panic.
luckily it was a beautifully sunny day if a little nippy and GavinT and i teamed up to tick our November boxes.
about a third of the way in we both went down hard on black ice leading to a variety of aches and bruises but we embraced the spirit of Hoogerland and carried on, if a little gingerly round all the corners
just one more to go, what could possibly go wrong..........
December done. Decided not to risk the weather getting worse so went for a loop around Surrey and Sussex. It was very cold to start but then warmed up to just be cold.
So that is 12 Imperial Centuries in 12 months with at least one in each calendar month.
Thanks for the challenge. When I got home I was definitely not doing this next year but I'm already weakening!
Yep, November done with Jo as above. Lovely ride but I'm a bit damaged from the fall. Hopefully back on the bike soon enough though!
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/110753205
Well done for being the first to complete the challenge TT.
December done, wet, windy but thankfully warm for the time of year, which helped.
the ride was definitley helped along by remembering the previous 1100 miles and all the people i'd ridden with, the smiles, and some of the pain.
may have got a bit emotional at one point, thank you everyone.
Well sadly I fell at the last hurdle.
..Or to be exact the second to last hurdle. The crash at the end of november meant I was off the bike for most of the month. I had just started to tentatively ride again when I got a sodding cold. Between these I've just not had the time. I would have liked to have had a go today but the work Nazis insist I come in. Oh well, I've done enough centuries - just none of them in december. I may get out on the 1st for my own satisfaction but it won't count.
GavinT you have my sympathies. To have got so far and then not quite make it.
I guess it will have to be 12 in 13 for you!
GavinT actually did 13 in 11, which wins on mileage and effort, but also loses on a technicality 
If you count the additional two centuries on one of them then it's 15 in 11
Well done, chaps. Annoying that I blew it so early on - I hardly rode after August once all my motivating targets were gone.
Wondering whether I'll be able to find the time for this in 2013 - I suspect I won't, but my arm is twistable. Gavin and I still have a date on the Island...
Singletrack MTB mag
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