Cyclists seeking century marks

     One motivation for sweating it out in the saddle during the hottest days of summer is to build the strength and endurance to be able to bike a century -- 100 miles in a day -- by the end of the season.

     Many cycling clubs make centuries in late summer or fall their biggest events, inviting riders from near and far to tour their favorite roads while undertaking a challenge.

     While the distance sounds daunting to the uninitiated, 100 miles is an achievable goal even for first-year riders. Training schedules typically increase mileage about 10 percent a week and call for a rest day after the longest ride each week.

     Some cyclists like to "collect" centuries the way hikers bag peaks. The rides are not races, but some riders set time goals for themselves. Whether that's nine hours or six, the riding tends to be sociable, with stops to eat or sightsee. For riders who want to join the fun but not spend all day, shorter routes such as a metric century (100 kilometers, equal to 62 miles), usually are offered.

     Registration fees typically pay for maps, arrows painted on the pavement, snacks along the way and a sag wagon in case of breakdowns. The steepest fees include T-shirts and post-ride feasts.

     The Charles River Wheelmen change their fall century route every year. This fall's ride starts in Carlisle, travels back roads to Lunenburg, then follows the Souhegan River north to Wilton, N.H.

     The Flattest Century in the East is relatively level, and the Tri-State Seacoast and Maine Freewheelers rides rival it for lack of hills. The Connecticut Valley Century and the Don McCulloch Memorial Ride on Cape Cod also aren't too hilly.

     Mountain goats might prefer the Great River Ride in western Massachusetts, which has nearly 8,000 feet of climbing.

     Another challenging ride, the Mount Greylock Century, isn't being held this year. But at least one group of cyclists plans to ride the route on the traditional date, the third Sunday in August. They'll start from West Cummington instead of Pittsfield, making the killer ascent to Hawley the last of the four major climbs. For $55, riders get a Saturday night stay and three meals at Remington Lodge. For details, call Karen Saltus (508-845-5571).

     Except for the Steeple Chase, the following centuries are not fund-raisers, so you don't have to collect pledges. For an entry form, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope. (Note: The following dates are for 1995. For more recent information see 2001 Guide to New England century rides.)
 

• Aug. 12 -- Steeple Chase, 28, 50 or 100 miles, St. Mary's School, Jackson and Valley streets, Willimantic, Conn.; $25, optional fund-raising for Windham Area Interfaith Ministry and Perception Programs Inc. Steeple Chase, PO Box 407, Willimantic, Conn. 06226. (203-450-7122).
• Aug. 26 -- Mad River Valley Century, 25, 50 or 100 miles, Mad River Bike Shop, Routes 100 and 17, Waitsfield, Vt.; $20 for 25 or 50 miles, $25 for 100 miles, $5 late fee after Aug. 20. Sugarbush Chamber of Commerce, Route 100, Waitsfield, Vt. (800-828-4748).
• Aug. 26-27 -- North Shore Cyclists Fall Century, 25, 62 or 100 miles, Salomon, National Corporate Park, Route 133, Georgetown; $11, $13 after Aug. 20. Emmett Halpin, 541 Lowell St., Wakefield, Mass. 01880 (617-246-5268).
• Sept. 9 -- Nashoba Valley Pedalers Fall Century, 25, 50, 62 or 100 miles, Metrowest YMCA Wayland Community Pool, Route 126, Wayland; $7 in advance, $10 day of ride. NVP Century, PO Box 2398, Acton, Mass. 01720 (508-266-1NVP).
• Sept. 10 -- The Flattest Century in the East, 25, 50 or 100 miles, Tiverton High School, North Brayton Road, Tiverton, R.I.; $23 by Aug. 24. TFCE, Narragansett Bay Wheelmen, PO Box 428, Tiverton, R.I. 02878 (401-831-1494).
• Sept. 10 -- Connecticut Valley Century, 25, 50, 75 or 100 miles, Hadley Village Barn Shops, Route 9, Hadley; $10. Sally Peters, Franklin-Hampshire Freewheelers, 23 Gaston St., Easthampton, Mass. 01027 (413-527-4877).
• Sept. 10 -- Maine Freewheelers Annual Century, 62 or 100 miles, Maine Square Mall, Hogan Road, Bangor; $10. Tony and Anne Mourkas, 171 Patterson Road, Hampden, Maine 04444 (207-862-5990).
• Sept. 16 -- Lighthouse Century, 62 or 100 miles, Westbrook High School, Stroudwater Street, Westbrook, Maine; $9, $11 after Sept. 9. Gary Davis, Casco Bay Bicycle Club, 215 North Gorham Road, Gorham, Maine 04038 (207-892-8257).
• Sept. 17 -- Tri-State Seacoast Century, 25, 50, 62 or 100 miles, Hampton Beach State Park, Route 1a, Hampton Beach, N.H.; $10, $15 after Sept. 1. Fred McLaughlin, Granite State Wheelmen, 9 Veterans Road, Amherst, N.H. 03031-2702 (603-898-9926).
• Sept. 17 -- Charles River Wheelmen Fall Century, 25, 50, 62, 75 or 100 miles, Hart Barn Ski Touring Center, Lowell Road, Carlisle; $10. CRW, 19 Chase Ave., Newton, Mass. 02165 (617-325-BIKE).
• Sept. 17 -- Tour of Eastern Connecticut Century, 50 or 100 miles, Groton Cyclery, 1360 Route 184, Groton, Conn.; $8, $6 for half century in advance, $10 and $7 day of ride. Pequot Cyclists, Box 505, Gales Ferry, Conn. 06625 (203-443-8973).
• Sept. 24 -- Seven Hills Wheelmen Fall Century, 25, 62 or 100 miles, Chocksett Inn, 59 Laurelwood Road, Sterling; $7, $10 after Sept. 15. Rich Whalen, 211 Cohasset St., Worcester, Mass. 01604 (508-756-3148).
• Sept. 24 -- Don McCulloch Memorial Ride, 25, 62 or 100 miles, Massachusetts Military Reservation, Route 28, Falmouth; $22, $25 after Sept. 11; $12 adults and $6 children under 10 for 5- to 10-mile Family Fun Ride. Mad About Cycling, PO Box 491, Falmouth, Mass. 02541-0491 (508-540-3387).
• Sept. 30 -- White Mountain Century, 100 miles, covered bridge parking lot, Kancamagus Highway (Route 112), Conway, N.H.; $8, $10 after Sept. 23. Gary Davis, Casco Bay Bicycle Club, 215 North Gorham Road, Gorham, Maine 04038 (207-892-8257).
• Oct. 1 -- Great River Ride, 35, 62 or 105 miles, Stanley Park, Western Avenue, Westfield; $26, $32 after Sept. 18. Northeast Sport Cyclists, 55 Franklin St., Westfield, Mass. 01085 (413-562-5237).
• Oct. 1 -- Cadillac Mountain Challenge, 25, 62 or 100 miles, Acadia National Park visitor center, Route 3, Bar Harbor, Maine; free. Tony and Anne Mourkas, Maine Freewheelers, 171 Patterson Rod, Hampden, Maine 04444 (207-862-5990).

    TIP OF THE HELMET -- To Frank McCormack of Leicester, the Saturn pro team rider who won the Norwest Cup last Sunday in Minneapolis. McCormack, 26, broke away to complete the 110-mile race in 4 hours, 11 minutes. Also in the top 10 were Saturn teammates Brian Walton, third place, and Norm Alvis, eighth.

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