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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.
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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83 comments
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...
August done - 103 quite lumpy miles with Brad
Oh yes, nearly forgot - did my 111 miles for august:
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/oHk-UIs58tQ
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
http://goo.gl/maps/14Jbr
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.
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
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.
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..
Yep March done - 108 miles - actually 110 but I forgot to switch the GPS on for a couple of miles.
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/44397454
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.
March done. Moving house in a little over a week so thought I had better do it now. 103 miles.
Note for next time - one bottle PSP, one bottle gripe water.
You certainly picked the best day for it. I was happy enough with just seeing daylight
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
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.
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.
Got my February score in today, so that's two done.
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