\”Just when you think you can make ends meet, somebody moves the ends.\”

I don\’t remember where I first saw that quote; but it seems to be quite accurate. Think about it. You start trying to work up to a century; and then something throws the proverbial monkey wrench into the machinery. The upshot of it is that you don\’t get to do that ride.

I started trying to work up to a century in July; and was aiming for an October 9 ride day. My program included on-bike force-development exercises once a week; and I worked towards longer and longer bursts of pushing for 15 mph or more. Sounds like a sensible plan, doesn\’t it?

Along came late August; and with it, Hurricane Ida. Then came several weeks of little or no true exercise; and when I returned home the third week in September, I was too out of shape to consider an October century.

My weekday morning rides seem back to normal; but my weekly long ride is still only 42-44 miles. I\’m not sure I\’m ready to jump from forty-something miles to a full 100 miles. If I try it; and the day I choose presents me with a strong wind; I\’ll have a tough time. In other words, somebody moves the ends.

Half of me thinks I need to work up to regular Sunday rides of 55-60 miles — maybe even 70 miles — before I\’m ready for a century. I probably need to work on increasing my pace during those long rides, too. The other half of me says, You want to ride a century? Go for it! So what should I do?

I don\’t have to decide this minute, but I need a firm date in mind; and please don\’t move the ends.