Rice Valley Tandem Rally
February 10th

Tour de Ed
February 23rd

Tour of the Unknown Valley South
March 2nd

Tour of the Unknown Valley North
March 30th

Chico Velo Wildflower Century
April 27nd

Unknown Coast Weekend
September 20th-21st
Registration Forms
available May

Quincy Weekend
October 18th-19th
Registration Forms
available May

You can e-mail us at:
ed@chicovelo.org
for cycling related comments or questions. Please do not rely on us to answer your e-mail inquiries just prior to the Wildflower Century -- it gets kinda busy around here!

To report a problem or make a suggestion about our website, please contact us at lorrod7@comcast.net or chandler@apexweb.com

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Free 10 Week Program Schedule below!

NOTE: Riding 100 miles is a strenuous challenge. In order to participate in this program, you should be physically fit. You should be comfortably and regularly completing 30-40 mile rides at a 15 mph or higher average pace. You should be prepared to commit 5 - 10 hours per week throughout the months of January, February, March and April to your cycling training program. Your bike should be in good working order and you should be able to complete basic repairs such as fixing a flat tire.

The basis of successful century riding is training.
Here is a proven 10-week training schedule - designed for cyclists attempting their first century and is geared for those who have been riding 45-50 miles a week.
In the accompanying chart at the bottom of this article, "easy" means a leisurely ride, "pace" means matching the speed you plan to maintain for the century, and "brisk" means cycling faster than your century pace. With this schedule, Saturday is crucial. Doing progressively longer rides each weekend is the key to success. Schedule your long ride for Saturday, so Sunday will be available in case of bad weather or other interruptions.
The goal is to increase your miles by 10-12% each week. Your longest raining ride needn't exceed 65 miles. Resist the temptation to boost your weekly mileage, especially as the ride gets closer.
In addition to this pre-ride advice, here are ten important tips to make you ride go smoother.

  • Drink, drink, drink. And not the beer kind. On a warm day, drink 2 bottles of water an hour.
  • Drink before, during and after rides to avoid dehydration induced fatigue.
  • Consider an energy drink. These drinks quench your thirst and supply vital glucose and electrolytes.
  • Eat lots of carbohydrates, such as pasta or rice, during the three days before the century, and fruits, wholegrain cereal or bread for breakfast
  • Don't wait until you're hungry before eating on a ride. (With Chico Velo Centuries that shouldn't be a problem, we have one of the best eatin' centuries on the planet.)
  • Don't stuff yourself. Eat steadily and lightly. Fill your pockets at each rest stop.
  • Vary your riding position. Frequently move your hands from the top of the handlebars to the brake levers to the drops and back again. It will prevent muscle fatigue.
  • Stretch while you ride. Every 30 minutes stand on the pedals, arch our back, stretch your legs. Do slow neck rolls and shoulder shrugs.
  • Divide the ride into "mental" segments and prepare a strategy for each. Try and stay away from people who are out to "win" the century. Our competitive instincts sometimes block out the "reasonable" side of our brains.
  • Don't dwell on the miles remaining if you're getting tired. Instead concentrate on form, food, drink, and efficiency. Give yourself plenty of time and try not to hurry. Just plan on finishing and enjoying the ride.

    Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Total
    Week
    Easy
    Pace
    Brisk
    Pace
    Pace
    Pace
    Weekly
    Miles
    1
    6
    10
    12
    Off
    10
    30
    9
    77
    2
    7
    11
    13
    Off
    11
    34
    10
    86
    3
    8
    13
    15
    Off
    13
    38
    11
    98
    4
    8
    14
    17
    Off
    14
    42
    13
    108
    5
    9
    15
    19
    Off
    15
    47
    14
    119
    6
    11
    15
    21
    Off
    15
    53
    16
    131
    7
    12
    15
    24
    Off
    15
    59
    18
    143
    8
    13
    15
    25
    Off
    15
    65
    20
    153
    9
    15
    15
    25
    Off
    15
    65
    20
    155
    10
    15
    15
    25
    Off
    10
    5
    100
    170

Eat, Breathe, Drink, Pedal