Ultra-Distance Riders - How'd you get started?

[seajaye]

Originally Posted by jumphigher

You could also ride a normal century but make it incredibly difficult with lot's of climbs and fast pace. Probaby be more of a workout than tons of miles spent chugging along at a mellow pace.

More of a workout, but there's no substitute for the sheer time on the bike. Riding through bonks, riding through the night, dealing with nutrition and sleep-deprivation, etc. are all lessons that a century can't really teach you. Sure, you could do an overnight century or whatever, but dealing with an ultra ride in its entirety is a bit different than just fitness gained by doing fast/hilly rides.