Do you feel that riding a century is impossible? Are century rides for other riders and not you? Are you stuck doing the same rides every week? Are you reluctant to drive 100 miles in a single day, much less ride your bike than far? You can ride a century! Thousands of cyclists ride century rides with friends, or alone, every year. It is a physical challenge, but they are also fun social events where you meet dozens of other cyclists. With training and preparation, you can achieve this road cycling goal without spending thousands of dollars on the latest featherweight bicycle model and components. Charles Lindsey talks you through the current bike choices, the increasingly sophisticated bike technology and the ever increasing prices for them. He describes the benefit and the cost of these choices and lets you decide whether to upgrade or not. Charles keeps the focus on the cyclist. He provides simple training plans to achieve your goal. Charles takes the perspective of an average cyclist who is now riding 30 miles on a typical Saturday right now. He shows the way for anyone who has thought about riding a century through research, stories, and dozens of practical tips. In these pages you will discover: - How to train for your century ride - How to avoid the mistakes that could take the fun out of your day - How the proper bike components help and why maintenance is crucial - How to ride with a large group of cyclists - How to handle hills and weather along the route - How much, and what, you should eat and drink, before, during and after the ride - How to finish the ride strong and have fun Road cycling is a fun and important part of your life. A century ride is an achievement that will amaze your family, friends, and coworkers. If you are a road cyclist who wants to reach the next level but you do not know how to do it, this book is for you.