cyclic_eric

I think we're down to 8-9 weeks now!
I figure I'm riding hilly 20-miles (slowly ~ 12-13 mph avg) twice a week now, and if I can increase that by 5 miles/week each week, then I'll be ok.
Anyone else care to share a training plan?

Classtime 

I count 12 weeks. For us old farts, I think that is 4 blocks of 3 weeks. I'm trying to squeeze in some high intensity stuff mid week but I hate that stuff. I hoped to do 100 miles on Saturday but my Eroica bike had a slightly loose BB and I called it a day after 65. Gonna try again this Saturday and then maybe the Velo Retro ride on Sunday. There is a strava Eroica BF club.

cyclic_eric

You're right! Somehow I lost a whole month.
Of course, if you're already riding 65 miles, your physical training is accomplished. Nearly half our work is keeping 40+ year old bikes in tune...

Kabuki12

I have already made a trip up there a few weeks ago . The riding and scenery is spectacular. There were a few riders and tourists around even though it was cloudy and cool. The turnout should be good. I remember 2016(I think) driving my motor home up the Cuesta Grade in one of the gnarliest rain storms I have seen. Somewhere around 900 folks showed up for the weekend . The fire department closed Kiler Canyon so the longer routes had to be changed. I remember struggling through the mud in back of Cass Winery on the optional loop for those of us who dared . Yea , I remember that nasty hill leading to the best damn French fries I ever ate. And of course all the fine folks with the seriously gorgeous bikes. That is Eroica to me …. I wouldn’t miss it if at all possible!

nlerner

I'm thinking about cutting back on the donut consumption.

tgot 

I'm spending more time on BikeForums.net.

cyclic_eric

@Kabuki12
If you bring your motorhome, can we meet there for espressos pre-ride and/or a glass of red after the ride?

donuts are ok once I'm riding 100 miles/week

gugie 

What, you're not eating keto donuts?

mhespenheide 

I'm 48, have a two-year old and work/commute too many hours. On weekdays, I spin an hour indoors one day, run outdoors an hour to an hour-fifteen on the next day. The hope on the weekends is to get in two hours one day, three hours the other day. That depends on local weather, of course. That's not really a "training plan", it's just what I try to do to keep myself sane.

I question whether you want to keep adding 5 miles per week, linearly. Try to add more on some weeks, then take one or two "break weeks" spread through the time period to give your body some recovery.

Then again, I think of the Scalatores route as three sub-rides, not one, and figure that if I can ride 50-60 miles with hills in training, I can cover the day of the ride with a few longer stops and eating and drinking...

SwimmerMike 

My plan is to just keep what I've been doing. 120-200 miles/week; at least 1 60 -70 miler and one ride with serious climbs (as opposed to rollers) per month and, of course, swim.

About 4 weeks out, I'll switch out the speedplay pedals to clips and straps, put the 30's back on and ride the Eroica bike exclusively making sure I get some good climbs and dirt in on it (For those of you in the Bay Area: Montebello road over to Page Mill along with West Alpine generally does the trick).

I agree with @mhespenheide you don't want to just do a straight ramp. 3 week ramp and a recovery week allows the body to build and then recover, straight building generally makes you tired and provides limited returns.

Brad L 

My scalp surgeries are done, and I've had one cataract surgery with one to go. I've been riding on Zwift when possible to at least keep my fitness at a decent level. I was finally told by the doc it's okay to ride outdoors, but now the weather needs to cooperate. I was able to get in 218 miles in January, which it not bad considering I've had 4 surgeries since October 12. I'll have to take it easy after the next cataract surgery on 2/10, but after that I need to ramp up distance and hills.

I live in the flat prairies just west of Houston, so I'll be driving out to the hills as often as possible. I've also signed up for April 10th's L'Etape San Antonio 60 mile route to use as training. That should give me an idea of my fitness level before taking on the Scalatore route at Eroica. I'll be riding the same 83 Gitane Interclub I'll be using at Eroica, but I haven't decided if I'll swap out the 42/52 cranks for the 36/48 before or after the San Antonio ride. If my fitness is just not there, I'll ride the coastal route on my 69 Colnago Super.

I've decided I'll be in Cambria for that weekend whether or not Eroica is postponed again. I've been waiting 2 1/2 years now to get this ride done and I'm through waiting. The Fauxroica photos from September shows a good time can be had anyway. I hope to see you all there.

Kabuki12

I’m good with that. If I don’t camp I will stay at our favorite spot in San Simeon like we did a few weeks ago. I went right by that campground. The Washburn area up above is usually where we camp when we are in the motor home. We can stay in touch though . Either way a ride into Cambria for an espresso is something I could never pass on!

nlerner

Mmm, Keto donuts!

Gary12000 

OK so after reading all the posts, well scanning through them, i'm intimidated by the talk of hill climbing..
My wife and I have just registered for this two days ago, my original plan was to ride in Tuscany this year but that fell through, so Cambria Cali it is...
we wont be doing the long ride and have a lot to do between now and then, i cannot get hill training in coz.. well Louisiana , so we are just doing the baby ride..

wife will be on a 1982 Trek 613, almost built, waiting on 27inch tires, ill be on one of my other Trek's depending how the build goes, the 614 has corroded chain stays ive got to get down to metal and see how bad they are,
if they are suspect, ill transfer all the hardware over onto a trek 500 frame i have.

anyway we will be flying in so advice from the old sweats..

1. Bring the bikes as checked baggage on the plane?
2. ship them ahead of time via bikeships or similar?
3. Do the hotels accept bikes if they are shipped in?
4. We have reserved a room at the Pelican Inn and Suites.

Thanks Gary

Classtime 

Gary, Do one of the longer routes. Between now and mid April you can spend some time in the wind. You'll be fine.

Spaghetti Legs 

Gary12000 - these days, airlines have been more forgiving on checking bike boxes as luggage, so it will probably be cheaper to fly with the bike, if you have a proper box/case and don’t mind lugging through the airport . That also has the added benefit of bike being more or less in your control for the trip out there. There is a a FedEx ship center in “downtown” Cambria. I shipped my bike there in 2019 using Bikeflights (they use UPS now however, Shipbikes.com uses FedEx). That ship center charged $10 per day to hold the bike. There was a little angst on my part as my bike showed up on the last truck before the store closed for the weekend.

The climbing can be a challenge for a flat lander but it’s not like these Gran Fondos and century rides that are intentionally brutal with intimidating names, like “Mountains of Misery”. The roads make for nice walking if needed. You can always train with highway overpass repeats or up and downs on the Mississippi River levees🙂

Gary12000 

I'm not Blame shifting as im chicken on hills too, but wifey would only agree to the baby ride, we will see if we can get juiced up with Espresso and do a bit more on the day.. your advice about the bikes coming with us on the Airplane is noted, and fits with my thoughts.

on another matter yikes woolly clothing is expensive.. and lace up shoes ... and and and ...

we are coming in on the Wednesday through SF, and staying till Tuesday...

Classtime 

Short Ride--Flat peddles are fine and you can skip the clips and straps if you want and Chuck Taylors are fine. Wool is not required. Just don't wear your clubs racing kit with all the loud sponsor stuff You can pick up must haves at the swap before Sunday.

rccardr 

Another thought: Ride the first leg down to Cayucos, all paved and no terrible hills. Cayucos has the killer breakfast style rest stop. Then bike back to Cambria and ride the short route (nobody calls it the Baby Route, BTW). That gives you more miles, you get to ride and hobknob with the folks riding the climbs, and you still can ride and pal around with those taking the shorter route. Win-Win!

Glad to hear you are coming, looking forward to meeting you.

bikingshearer 

What is this "training plan" of which you speak? We do not have such things on my planet.

Gary12000 

I read a post here that suggested that was a good method of getting a bit more riding in... could you tell me if we ride they first leg down to Cayucos does that start before daylight? as we will need lights.. also killer food and coffee is what i'm about, that's why i moved to Louisiana,

winner winner burrito dinner...

ok i guess ill stop calling it the **** route, however it was more poking fun at myself for not doing a longer route.

cyclic_eric

mhespenheide has the right idea,
" . . . not really a "training plan", it's just what I try to do to keep myself sane."

Worried about clothes? Worried about lights? Go back to the above plan and go for a ride.

gugie 

Yep, start of everything except the lighthouse ride begins in the dark. You could wait until it gets light out to start, but I found it pretty damn cool riding down Hwy 1 in the dark in a paceline. Bring lights, headlight and tail. I use the strap on kid and remove them at the Cayucos Pier stop.

I call the 4 routes:
Lighthouse out and back
2 climbs
3 climbs, hold the fries
3 climbs with fries

I'm half Italian and I still can't remember the damn official names.

Classtime 

I remember rolling out and heading to Cayucos in the dark. But sunrise on Sat April 30 will be 6:12 am (6:41 in 2019) and I'm thinking a rear flasher will be enough for the 6:30 start and as the Lantern Rouge this year.

Gary12000 

i'm English ex-pat so i don't speak American but my wife can translate for me.. so ill be doing Lighthouse and back + breakfast burrito - LBBB.