How to train for your first 100-mile ride: 3 tips and a structured plan for success

Cycling coach Zach Nehr explains how to use a structured training plan to prepare for a 100-mile ride

Steve Shrubsall Welsh coast
(Image credit: Future / Richard Butcher)

Bike riding is full of romantic notions, and the magical 'century' is one of them. Cycling 100 miles in a single ride remains a rite of passage that many aspire to.

If you're relatively new to bike riding, or have always simply enjoyed sticking with the shorter distances, 100 miles might feel so far out of reach as to be unattainable.

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Last updated May 2025.

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 Zach is a freelance writer, the owner of ZNehr Coaching, and an elite-level rider in road, track, and Zwift racing. He writes about everything related to bikes, from product reviews and advertorials, to feature articles and pro data analytics in Power Analysis articles. You can find his articles everywhere from Cyclingnews and TrainingPeaks, to Velonews, CyclingTips, and Bicycle Guider. 

After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science at Marian University-Indianapolis, Zach discovered a passion for writing that soon turned into a full-fledged career. In between articles, Zach spends his time working with endurance athletes of all levels at ZNehr Coaching. After entering cycling at age 17, Zach went on to have a wonderful road racing career that included a Collegiate National Time Trial Championship and a 9th place finish at the US Pro National Time Trial Championships. Nowadays, Zach spends most of his ride time indoors, where he races for NeXT eSport pb Enshored in the Zwift Racing League – Premier Division. 

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