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Cyclists taking part in the 2011 Portland Century head east along the Marine Drive multiuse path on a sunny Sunday morning. The Portland Century is just one of several 100-mile rides scheduled in the area over the next few months.

(John Killen/The Oregonian)

Temperatures are rising, rains are abating and cyclists throughout the state are oiling their chains and pumping up their road tires in anticipation of long spring and summertime rides.

With good reason, too. For anyone wanting to go long, no fewer than three dozen organized and supported rides are being offered between now and the end of summer, giving even relative newcomers a chance to try racking up 100 miles -- a Century in cycling parlance --in a single outing.

Novices thinking about tackling that sort of serious mileage, however, would be well advised to approach the venture much like marathoners train for their tests. Taking on a 26.1-mile marathon course, after all, requires preparation.

In the same way, so does the challenge of hopping on a bike and comfortably and safely pedaling it for five hours or more.

For some specific hints and tips, we sought out River City Bicycles' Brice Stivers, who offers just the sort of advice to keep your Century from turning into an eternity.

First, he said, get some cycling shorts. They will help immensely in soothing wear and tear on parts of the body that actually contact the saddle.

Centuries

Here's a partial list of century rides coming up this spring and summer in Oregon and Southwest Washington:

May 4:

May 25:

June 5:

June 29:

July 13-14:

July 13:

July 20:

Aug. 16-17:

Aug. 18:

Aug 18:

Aug. 24:

Sept. 29:

An anti-friction cream -- Chamois Butter is but one of many offerings on the market -- may also help. Some prefer to apply it before starting a ride, while others buy single-application packets in case a saddle sore crops up during an event.

A cycling-specific shoe-and-pedal system is also desirable, Stivers said. For between $100 and $150, you can buy a system that will give you far more pedaling power, while also letting you walk comfortably around the several rest stops any good Century will provide.

The other "usuals" of cycling equipment are pretty standard: gloves, eyewear, arm and knee warmers that can be shed as the thermometer climbs and layered upper-body clothing.

As for the bike itself, Stivers rightly recommends a road bike. Its tires, narrower and more highly inflated than a mountain bike's, provide far more power, as does its higher gearing system. Adds Stivers, "A road bike takes far less effort to go faster and farther."

Okay, the bike is ready to go. Are you?

When it comes to training for a Century, Stivers recommends not thinking about the mileage as much as about how much time it will take to complete the journey.

"You can just go attack hills and beat yourself up," he said, "but another good way to gauge your training is by time. Set some small goals for yourself and try to gradually increase your time in the saddle to approximate what a Century will actually require."

He suggests continuing with that sort of vigorous training up until about two weeks or so before the actual ride. At that point, he said, it's important to taper down to allow your body to be 100 percent fresh when you hit the starting line.

Finding a companion to both train and ride with is also advisable, he said. Two people, after all, can solve road-related problems better than one. They can also help one another keep the positive mental attitude that's critical to taking on the daunting physical challenge of cycling 100 miles.

Stivers' last thought touches on the need to ride with groups before taking on a Century. Pedaling solo is very different from making one's way through a large pack of cyclists.

"Never overlap tires with someone, since that's a great way to go down," he said. "And don't stare down at your own front tire. Look farther down the road for possible debris or other things in the road that might force you to move out of the way."

He also suggests putting a bell on your bike to alert someone they are being overtaken and advises people to contact their favorite local bike shop to get schedules for weekly group rides.

Other than that?

"Centuries and other long rides are fantastic experiences," Stivers said. "Preparing for them adequately makes all the difference in the world."

– Dana Tims