Ride your first century.

With proper fitness, you can ride 100 miles in a single day. Start out simple. Ride your bike every week until you can ride a full 25 miles. It doesn't matter how long it takes. Just practice. The miles will begin to drop away before you know it. The first objective is to get your body used to your bike. The key to century riding is being comfortable on your bike. If there's a single body part that hurts, focus on it. Change the seat or the seat configuration. Consult a bike shop. Do whatever it takes to get comfortable. Once you have accomplished your first 25 miles, push it to 30. It might take a month, but you can do it, anyone can. Remember, just get comfortable on the bike. Set a goal of 60 miles. Get up early. Plan your route out of traffic as much a possible and knock off the first 30 miles. Try to plan it so that you can get a treat at the half way point. Something light. Take a short break. And head back home.

Once you have accomplished your first metric century -- 60 miles -- you will have the confidence and fitness to tackle your first century. Treat it as you did the metric. Break it down into 30 mile drafts with rest stops to eat a banana, trail mix, energy bar, or whatever you know your body will react positive to. Get up early -- daybreak is best -- and start your first century. Make sure you drink water or whatever you like every 10 miles or whenever you feel like it. But don't wait to get thirsty, you should run out of water before your rest stops. Don't think about the entire ride at once, just think about the next 30 miles. You will be amazed at how good you feel at 50 miles. Just keep riding till you get to that 90 mile barrier. Try to arrange your last stop for something to celebrate, ice cream is good for this. It also fuels you for the last leg. Don't stop too long. Take off and complete the last leg. You will feel better than you have ever felt in your whole life, tired, but so proud you will want to tell everyone what you have done.