The 100 mile cycling century rides pose a fun challenge to hardcore and passionate cyclists. Successful participation in this event requires following a rigorous training program, a well-balanced diet plan and conscious avoidance of some common century riding mistakes!

What are the common century riding mistakes?

Participating in one of the cycling century rides is a prominent milestone in your stint as a cyclist. These 100 mile bicycle rides last for about 12 hours. Such cycling century rides pose a demanding challenge for your physical and mental being, and require appropriate training, a vigilant check on your nutritional intake, and well maintained and high quality equipment. All this preparation for the big event can unfortunately, be marred by some common century riding mistakes made by cyclists during training. While reading through the bloopers made during cycling century rides and century training sessions you may feel like these mistakes can be easily avoided. Yes, they can be avoided however most cyclists overlook these common century riding mistakes in the heat of the moment and jeopardize their own performance.    

Riding mistakes # 1-Training: Are You Doing Enough?

Do not underestimate cycling century rides: when it comes to testing your endurance and strength, the cycling century rides mean business! Inspect the terrain at the location of the century cycling event, and gradually build up the distance you cover in your training sessions to 75 to 80 miles. This will ensure that your body has stamina enough to see you through the 100 miles without collapsing with exhaustion. Try to schedule your training sessions at a geographical area which resembles the site of the main cycling event.

Riding mistakes # 2- It’s All About The Pace!

Many aspiring cyclists try to push their bodies to achieve too much in too little time. So instead of steadily and gradually increasing the distance covered and time spent in training on a weekly basis, they attempt to cover 75 miles as quickly as possible. Forcing your body to handle large amounts of physical stress only increases the risk of injuries. Focus on increasing the time duration and distance covered each week by 10-20% only. 

Riding mistakes # 3- Get It Right While You Still Can!

Trying out new equipment or riding gear on the day of your cycling century ride is one of the biggest riding mistakes that you can ever make. The key to performing at your full potential is to use the same equipment, gear, nutritional plan and even cycling wear that you have become accustomed to handling during your training sessions. 

Riding mistakes # 4- Never Neglect your Nutritional Needs!

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and as far as the cycling century rides go, breakfast can have a great effect on your performance. Consuming a breakfast full of carbohydrates, and adequate amounts of fats ad proteins will supply your body with the energy it needs to carry on through the event without collapsing. Moreover, eat 200-300 calories every hour during the event to replenish your energy stores.

Riding mistakes # 5- The Importance of Staying Hydrated!

This in no way implies that you should chug down bottle upon bottle of water to stay hydrated. During a strenuous, multi-hour ride, the body performs better when it has just enough water to prevent the sensation of thirst. Too much water can lead to a potentially dangerous condition known as hyponatermia.