Century Training For Older Riders

Many people ask me if riding a century is somethingan elder rider should be more carefully planned. Central
they can do despite being in their twilight years. Thetop any plan should be a good training schedule. All too
first thing I tell them is that last year I coached an 82often people can end up over training and end up
year old rider to cycle his first century. Anything isactually getting slower on the bike or even worse
possible with the right training.injured.
The big fear for many older people is that riding 100Any older rider can successfully ride a century. All the
miles on their bike will push their body over its limit andextra age means is that more attention is required to
will cause them to have a heart attack. This is not true.your training schedule to ensure adequate recovery
in my experiences the only difference between. Youngtime is allowed. In fact riders of all ages will benefit
and old bodies is their ability to recover. When you arefrom having a well structured training schedule to
older this means it may take you a couple of days tofollow. Not only will it help with your motivation to go
recover from a hard ride as opposed to a day for aout and train but it will also ensure your riding reaches
young rider.the best of your abilities, allowing you to enjoy your
All the above means is that any century attempt bycentury ride.