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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
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%
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)
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
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.
http://app.strava.com/activities/26804668#
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.
http://is.gd/9AC1F2
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...
centuries are soooooooo last season, it's all about the Tourist Trophy this year
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