I've signed up for a cycling event that will be my first metric century (100km/~65mi). Last year I was regularly riding 20-40 miles at a stretch on the weekends, and then I did a 50-mile ride and felt great after. So when I signed up for this one, 65 miles didn't seem particularly daunting. However, that 50-miler was last year, and between illness, weather, and travel I pretty much took the winter off from cycling. I've been doing regular training rides since early February, but none of my rides have been longer than 25 miles (but I usually feel great after). The metric century is this coming weekend, and I'm torn between skipping it because I might be unprepared, and going for it anyway because I'm already registered and why not try? Cyclists of Metafilter, what do you think--am I woefully unprepared? Should I try anyway? Have you done anything similar and felt great/terrible about it? More details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by rhiannonstone on Apr 2, 2013 - 20 answers

Recommendation for good international LD cycling trip in March/April? [more inside]
posted by letahl on Jan 17, 2013 - 4 answers

Should my sister do a 70 mile bike ride with me? [more inside]
posted by pompelmo on Jun 6, 2012 - 28 answers

Cheap men's synthetic underwear: nylon/spandex/polyester/etc. Would like approx 12 pair for bicycling. Flexible on style/aesthetics. Priority: inexpensive. [more inside]
posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj on Apr 12, 2012 - 8 answers

I just got into road cycling this year. I bought a bike in February, and have been ramping up in miles and pace since then. I just did a metric century (actually ~67 miles) a few weeks ago, my longest ride yet, and it killed my left knee. With this in mind, how do I keep up my progress in the off-season and return harder better faster stronger? What else can I do to move up a division for next year? (Also-- your thoughts on trainer versus stationary exercise bike: give me them.) [more inside]
posted by supercres on Sep 28, 2010 - 17 answers

BikeCommuteFilter: Shifting up to riding five days a week. But my legs already hurt from my twice-a-week routine! [more inside]
posted by zvs on Aug 11, 2010 - 32 answers

How does a bike ride on flat terrain compare with going up a hill and back down, in terms of energy use, exertion, etc.? [more inside]
posted by Who_Am_I on Jun 1, 2010 - 13 answers

What is the best digital camera to take on bike rides? [more inside]
posted by Mr. Palomar on Aug 13, 2009 - 12 answers

Please give me your best long-distance hiking / bicycle touring / <insert other adventurous endurance activity> food recipes! [more inside]
posted by Captain Rayford Steele, Tribulation Force on Jun 23, 2009 - 10 answers

Give me your best advice for biking in a skirt. [more inside]
posted by Riverine on Aug 26, 2007 - 17 answers

Does anyone know of a place to get a tshirt with the red Hors Categorie (HC) circle symbol? [more inside]
posted by OmieWise on Jul 19, 2006 - 15 answers

Where are the most bike-friendly places to live in the U.S.? [more inside]
posted by lorrer on Jul 11, 2005 - 32 answers

Need advice on bike commuting (more inside)... [more inside]
posted by dicaxpuella on Apr 13, 2004 - 17 answers