Has anyone done the Ojai Century? Opinions?

[redcheetah]

I think I may end up doing the Ojai century this year after saying I *might* have some interest in doing a century to my roadie girlfriend. Loose lips sink ships as they say. Has anyone here done it? What should I be prepared for? I have never done a century before or any road ride of this distance. A couple people I have talked to have just said take it slow and I should be OK. Does anyone have any advice to help a mt biker with moderate fitness get through this event?

Thanks

[redcheetah]

Does anyone have advice on doing a century in general besides take it slow? Do I need to do a full 100 mile ride before doing a century?

[airgabe]

Train with him and you could do 200 miles!!!!

[jeffj]

Originally Posted by redcheetah

Do I need to do a full 100 mile ride before doing a century?

Doing a 100 mile ride will prove you are absolutely capable of doing a century , because I don't see how you can do one without having done the other

Sorry, couldn't resist. Enjoy your ride.

[MTBMaven]

When is the event? Meaning how long do you have until the event? I put this in the 22 bday post but here is the short response. Stay on top of your calorie, water, and electrolyte intake. Assuming you are in moderate to good shape you will do fine if you can stay on top of those. The only other thing that will kill you is your own mind.

If you have a few weeks to train get out there and ride the road. Do a few long rides up to 70 miles and do a few hill climbs. The hill climbs will build strength and the distance will build endurance. You will need both.

During both learn how to eat and drink on your bike. Pay attention out there; riding around a lot of people your first time will be an interesting experience. And for goodness sake, even though you are a mountain biker, just wear lycra. If you think you will look stupid wearing just lycra you will look more stupid wearing baggies, IMO. Plus baggies add a lot of wind and leg resistance.

Now go out there a get er dun!

[ubermensch]

Find a tandem (or if you're lucky, a train of two or three of 'em), grab it's wheel, and hang on! That might not work so well on hills, but those things haul ass on the flats.

[Impy]

ive never done a formal organized century, although I have done 100 mile rides on my own. if you remember to eat and drink, and don't blow yourself up by hammering and trying to keep up with faster people you should have no problem.

Have fun!

[BFloFoxRider.]

Carb Loading
I would say the 4 days before the event, eat as many good carbs as you can. Such as Pasta's and good things like that.
Then by the time it comes, you'll have a carb supply to burn off which should give you more fuel.
Also, i would recommend buying a gu flask, and fill it completely, its alot easier then messing with the Gu packs while riding that far

[Pain Freak]

Training is the number one key. Get out and ride. Ojai is a hilly type of ride, so I suggest you ride in the hills. Pace yourself when you do the ride. You'll be excited and will want to stay up with everyone. (believe me there will be slower folks then you, they just can't catch up, so if you think you're not doing well, you're wrong, you're fine).Break the ride into segments for you aren't looking at 100 miles but 3 rides at 33 miles. Take a break at the stops and eat if you can. I personally stay all liquid till the end of the ride, but you do need some calorie intake. Just remember the body will only use about 275 calories you consume per hour, so don't go over board here, no reason to comsume 400 as it'll do nothing for you except make you fat. Solid food doesn't work well for me, but I'm doing a lot longer rides then 100 miles. Don't stay to long in the rest areas as you legs will get "cold" and it will hurt way more then it should when you go back out. Make sure you have a bike that fits, this is probably the most important thing you can do. But above all try to have fun! If you're not trying to set any records or trying to hang on to some racers wheel a century can be a lot of fun.

I've done a lot of centuries and double centuries in the Ojai area ( I love that area ) and there can be a lot of climbing involved. Check out the total climbing you'll be doing and I'd suggest you stay away from rides that will be taking you over 5,000 feet on your first century.

Even though you may mountain bike a lot, you tend to use different muscle groups for different bikes so don't let this be your only training. You'll need to ride the bike you'll be riding on the century.

[MTBMaven]

I would write all that down. PF be knowing his stuff. Some can eat solids some can't. You don't want to find out your can't after eating a Subway at a rest stop. If you can't you need to find away to get the calories. But Mike's point about 275-300 calories per hours is a VERY good point. Read through some of the literature on the Hammer Nutrition site. Loads of good reading there.

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Training is the number one key. Get out and ride. Ojai is a hilly type of ride, so I suggest you ride in the hills. Pace yourself when you do the ride. You'll be excited and will want to stay up with everyone. (believe me there will be slower folks then you, they just can't catch up, so if you think you're not doing well, you're wrong, you're fine).Break the ride into segments for you aren't looking at 100 miles but 3 rides at 33 miles. Take a break at the stops and eat if you can. I personally stay all liquid till the end of the ride, but you do need some calorie intake. Just remember the body will only use about 275 calories you consume, so don't go over board here, no reason to comsume 400 as it'll do nothing for you except make you fat. Solid food doesn't work well for me, but I'm doing a lot longer rides then 100 miles. Don't stay to long in the rest areas as you legs will get "cold" and it will hurt way more then it should when you go back out. Make sure you have a bike that fits, this is probably the most important thing you can do. But above all try to have fun! If you're not trying to set any records or trying to hang on to some racers wheel a century can be a lot of fun.

I've done a lot of centuries and double centuries in the Ojai area ( I love that area ) and there can be a lot of climbing involved. Check out the total climbing you'll be doing and I'd suggest you stay away from rides that will be taking you over 5,000 feet on your first century.

Even though you may mountain bike a lot, you tend to use different muscle groups for different bikes so don't let this be your only training. You'll need to ride the bike you'll be riding on the century.

[jiggawu]

utilize the feed stations thoroughly and pace yourself at a comfortable pace.

[redcheetah]

Thanks for all of the information and guidance guys. I should have followed it this weekend when I went out for my first 60 mile ride. I ate powerbars and gus during the ride but neglected to do it consistently. At mile 28 I started to feel like hell. At mile 30 I stopped and ate a bunch, sat and relaxed and then banged out the next 30 miles with no issues. However, one thing I did discover which is absolutely critical is that I MUST switch the seat. At mile thirty it felt like someone was trying to remove my genitals/ass meat with a cheese grater. It was not soreness, it plain hurt. That and I might need new shoes as my feet were having some issues.

Additionally, I have realized that my girlfriend has really improved her fitness more than I realized. Looks like I will be riding the century alone while she hauls ass with her friend. Maybe I can draft off of a good looking MILF for at least part of the ride??

I do know that Ojai has some hills. I rode there last year (only 30 miles) and although I love the terrain and scenery, I fear some of those hills during that long of a ride. Especially since the main climb is at mile 89. The total elevation gain is right at 5000ft. Now I am really nervous Pain Freak!

Looks like I need to get myself back out on the bike this weekend. It's time to "do work"!

[stacy]

Might I add that, in addition to training, you should be praying! Pray for decent weather. I decided not to do that one because it tends to be very hot out there.

[jiggawu]

man, tough it out redcheetah. you know it ain't gonna be easy, but you're committed and you must ride. you forget you don't wanna look bad in front of your girl. you'll hear it from her for a long time. just do it!

[redcheetah]

Originally Posted by jiggawu

man, tough it out redcheetah. you know it ain't gonna be easy, but you're committed and you must ride. you forget you don't wanna look bad in front of your girl. you'll hear it from her for a long time. just do it!

So this is the real reason you won't buy Zenia a road bike.

I have no pride. My girl is gonna leave my ass in the first twenty miles to fend for myself. I don't care when I finish in comparison to her. As long as I finish.

[jiggawu]

Originally Posted by redcheetah

So this is the real reason you won't buy Zenia a road bike.

I have no pride. My girl is gonna leave my ass in the first twenty miles to fend for myself. I don't care when I finish in comparison to her. As long as I finish.

No, its just cost too much money, when she wants so many other things.

[MTBMaven]

Rather than rush out and buy a new saddle it sound like you might need to use some chamois cream first. Go to you local drug store and get Bag Balm. The stuff is really thick but that extra viscosity really helps it hold us during a long day in the saddle.

If you still need a new saddle I cannot recommend a Brooks or Selle-Anatomica saddle enough. I have a Brooks on my MTB and a Selle-Anatomica on my road bike. They may be heavy but they are the most comfortable saddle I have ever used. My ass was not the least bit sore after 13.5 hours and 200 with the Selle-Anatomica. I had about 40 miles on it before the double. No break in required, for me. Other saddle like the Specialize Alias are also quite comfortable but not as much as the Brooks. I have a Specialized Alias if you can buy.