I started off by doing populaires with the lone star randonneurs.  That got me used to the format of randonneuring and I got to ride with lots of awesome strong long distance riders who gave lots of good advice.  Then I signed up for 100 mile charity rides knowing that if I just couldn't continue, I could SAG it in.  I learned that I was too stubborn to sag and would just stop and rest every few miles until I could go on.  
 
The secret to success beyond the 100 mile mark is two-fold:  1) EAT before you're hungry, and DRINK before you're thirsty.  I can go for 50 miles on just a bottle of water, but I won't be going any further.  2) Once you achieve something, it unlocks your will.  Even if my body doesn't think it can make it, my brain knows that because I've done it in the past, I can do it anytime I want.  
 
As for speed - depends on weather, terrain, road condition, my nutrition and hydration.  Generally I will do a 200k between 8-12 hours.  13-18 mph on bike average.  Though in a race I've done 206 in 12 hours and my best HHH (102 mile) time was 4h45min.
 
COme out and ride with any of us and we'll get you there.
 
Quote from BikeEB on May 9^th, 2013, 3:15pm:

Quote from Phantom Rider on May 9^th, 2013, 4:38pm:

 
They are a very friendly, and 'bent friendly, bunch of folks.  Just be careful what you say to Dan Driscoll, or you'll find yourself racing the Tejas 500 before you know it.
 
As Greg pointed out, eat and drink are the secrets to ultra-distance; that and having a bike that you can spent a lot of time riding comfortably.
 
The only way to know if you can stay on the bike that long, is to do it.  You'll be surprised (and sore) afterwards.

im working on it, doing at least 1 50 miler per week mixed in with a few 30 & 40 milers.  Riding the P-38 and sitting for 3 hours don't bother me at all, I've never done anything longer than 100k but would like to try a century in the next couple of weeks just to see how i handle it.  Had never eaten on the like before this week when i had a clif bar and did ok with it.  I think its just the unknown that concerns me.

As stated, it's just a matter of getting out there and doing it -- to a certain extent...  But doing 50-milers regularly is excellent training, and quite sufficient. Joining in on an LSR 100K Populaire is an excellent way to start, although even on that ride, not everyone rides together -- but it allows you to test yourself a bit, regarding how the other riders do.  Success in long rides of 100 miles or more is based upon planning your rest stops, fluids, and your nutrition along the way -- and not tackling ridiculously hilly routes to start with!  When rest stops are ~30 miles or so apart, it IS important to eat something along the way...
 
Also, it's not a race (although some of the more experienced LSRs might treat it as such) -- do your pace, and consider arranging with another riding friend ahead of time to commit to riding together the whole way, so you're not out there by yourself.   I bonked badly on one a couple years ago (by stupidly racing Gary Gottlieb on a 15-mile leg), and Bud Baker was kind enough to escort me in the last 30 miles or so...
 
My 200Ks were primarily done in 2007-2009, either on the StratusXP or the Xstream -- and Greg, Bud, the Pettys, and I often rode together the whole way, typically finishing in 9-10 hours total.
 
The Italy 200K is a reasonable one, although it's 135 miles (210K), and there isn't an "official" stop the last 35 miles.  
 
It's a long day on the bike, but it can be fun!

Quote from BikeEB on May 9^th, 2013, 3:15pm:

 
C'mon down to the Bosque Tour de Norway next Saturday -- the 80-mile route looks like an excellent, scenic test, and the weather looks promising.

Quote from BikeEB on May 9^th, 2013, 3:15pm:

Hope you guys don't mind if I butt in here. Been a while since I've ridden in N. Tejas. I was planning on telling Aikigreg about my wife's success last week at Calvin's but it fits right in here, I think.
 
Everything the guys have said is correct. You have to get the bike, fuel, and clothes fit for extended time. But what Greg said about achieving and believing may be the most important part of it. If you don't believe you can do it, you likely won't even try.
 
So... I gave my old CA2 650 to my wife a year ago when I moved to a 700. She used to ride DFs a lot before we had kids but hadn't ridden in a long time so I had to be *extra* patient and calm about moving her to a recumbent. :^)  But she did it. The past year she's been riding about 40 miles 3-4 times a week, primarily on the Trail. I'm gently trying to get her to do longer rides, along with a few other ladies in the local club who also don't believe they can do even 100 miles (though I know they easily could). So I have a 4-day 340 mile ride planned later this year for them. They know they have to prepare for it...
 
So we're up, registering me for Calvin's 12 hr and Larry mentions that he has this nice trophy for the women's 100 mile recumbent TT that *noone* has entered!  Out of the blue and to my complete surprise, she decides to enter. She's crewed for me and we've discussed nutrition for ultra races at great length so she has a bit of a leg up there maybe, as compared to most others gunning for their first century. But it turns out she picked one of the most difficult years to try Calvin's they've seen, in terms of winds. 20-25 gusting to at least 35mph over the entire course with headwinds on almost all of the gentle climbs - so no hill blocking.
 
They start the TT's about an hour after the 12 hr and on my 2nd 50-mile lap I see her bike parked at the 25-mile sag stop. I don't blame her as the first 25 miles of that race is the hardest with that wind. I'm on my 4th 50-mile lap when I see her up ahead - still on the bike with only 10 miles to go! Wooo Hooo!!!  I start yelling and screaming but with the wind she doesn't hear me. I roll up beside her and she is grinning from ear to ear. She ain't going too fast but despite the horrible conditions, she is having fun!
 
That's the way to do your first century TT !  :^)
 
Now that she's done a century ride under pretty adverse wind conditions, there's no longer the dread she had before. She knows she can ride it if she just does her homework and keeps moving along.
 
You'll get there. Just do the homework and believe in yourself. Helps to have a specific goal other than just finishing the ride also!

Quote from BikeEB on May 12^th, 2013, 7:49am:

 
Well done!