Fear of commitment? Try these six century tips…

Riding 100 miles on a bike is no picnic, particularly if you do the Buff Epic, which begins with an ascent of Boulder Canyon on Sept. 9.

Here are six tips for riding one of our two 100-mile courses in the Elevations Credit Union Buffalo Bicycle Classic. (If a century’s not your goal, don’t forget our four other courses, ranging from 14 to 70 miles.) If you have completed a century, see suggestion #6.

1) People have ridden centuries on mountain bikes, cruisers, recumbents and hybrids. May we suggest a good, solid road bike? No need for the latest carbon-fiber rocket ship. May we also suggest taking your bike in for a quick tune-up?

2) You need to be in decent shape to ride 100 miles. You don’t need to drop 20 pounds (though that might help). Also, we suggest that you train this summer. You should be able to ride 60 to 70 miles comfortably before attempting 100. We’ll suggest a 10-week training schedule in few weeks, but start racking up miles now. And have fun. The Buff Bike Classic is not a race; it’s a great ride that supports the biggest scholarship program at the University of Colorado’s College of Arts and Sciences.

3) When you ride, stay hydrated. Cramps will stop you cold. Remind yourself to drink water or sports drinks. Don’t wait until you are thirsty. Just drink.

4) The Buff starts with breakfast, so fuel up first thing. Fruit and food waits at every aid station. Keep filling your tank. You don’t want to bonk.

5) Whining is not allowed after mile 80. If you’ve never done a century, be aware that at mile 80 or so you might realize that 100 miles on a bike is, well, a long way. You might be tempted to mumble something untoward. You might be ignored. Just remember that when you pass Frank Shorter’s statue just before the finish line, you’ll be amazed that you just covered 100 miles on your bike. Plus, there’s the hat. If you finish the 100-mile Foothills Century, you get the iconic BBC century hat (and, of course, lunch and libations). If you finish the epic, you get a hat and a Buff Epic pin.

6) Talk is cheap. You need to commit to this ride now (especially if you want to ride the epic, which is limited to 1,000 riders but still has some open slots). Committing now will prompt you to start building your mileage. Without the mileage, it will be easy to blow off the century if you wait to register until late summer. You know the drill: Your spouse might giggle knowingly when you “forget” to sign up. Your kids might think you’re all sizzle and no steak. You’ll never get to wear the hat.

Commit now at http://www.prerace.com/races/event/34599/!