> I really think the reason for the loss of 100 milers is the proliferation
of
> multi-day rides.
> Once you get hooked on multi-days, hundreds no longer seem to be the
ultimate > challenge.
> Julie Suhr

While I personally love the 100s for the sake of doing 100 miles all in one
go and the special challenge that represents, I have to agree with Barbara
and Julie about this.  It used to be that for those who really thrive on
mileage, the 100s were the best way available to really go out and ride lots
of miles.  Not true anymore, with the proliferation of multi-days.  And the
multi-days offer a challenge that is somewhat akin to the 100-mile challenge
in terms of having to think ahead to the next phase and always have enough
left in the "gas tank" to get there--in essence, to "endure."  Those riders
now doing multidays would likely still be doing 100s if they didn't have
another endurance challenge that fits them just a bit better.

Another thing that has caused entries to decline on 100s, IMO, is the fact
that more and more rides are offering the "mid-distance" 75s--which is an
appeal to a lot of people who want more than 50, but for whom it is a
stretch to take on 100 miles.  Many such people would make the stretch to
the 100, but are more comfortable with a little less.

And if these factors are indeed causes of the diminishing of entries on the
100s, then I'd predict that as the sport grows overall, so will the
100s--slowly but surely--as there are still those who like that distance and
will continue to ride it.  Also, the growth of international riding will
also continue to be a factor in keeping numbers stable-to-growing on the
100s.

Heidi


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