signed up for a century, need to get my mileage up fast, need suggestions! 3 weeks!
03-30-12, 02:27 AM
#53
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BTW: I've been training since the end of February.. The reason I started this thread is that the ride I posted kicks my ass, and it hasn't gotten a ton better, I'm going to be experiencing more climbs like this for the tour, so I'm trying to prepare myself. I don't get how I can ride this still.. and then the next day feel fatigued.
This made me feel like I'm doing something wrong, which is why I posted this thread.. so I'm not stupid and thought I could get myself into century shape by starting 3 weeks out, but I may have been stupid in the way I trained for it. I honestly thought this ride would become easy after a while, but I've been only able to do it 2-3 times a week, the hill on the left tires me out and I feel it the next day. Is it nutrition? Not enough sleep? Not enough repetition? I weigh 220 and usually have 15 pounds of clothes/lunch/etc. on my bike while I'm doing it also..
Is it nutrition? Not enough sleep? Not enough repetition? No ....... How about not enough riding. 4 weeks of riding, and especially only 2-3 times a week, is hardly any riding at all. Sure, it's a good beginning, a good way to get into cycling, but it's hardly anything yet.
Well.. its riding 2 maybe 3 times.. not always 3 times.. most likely 2 though, I would have started the weekend rides sooner (I did a 25 mile group ride 3 weeks ago) but rain cancellation, then working the following leads me to this week, where I'll do the 35 mile bike ride this weekend. If I feel okay, maybe do 50, but I think it will most likely be 35.
I would like to do 3 times a week, but it would most likely be a mon,wed,fri but I am worried I would be too tired for a longer weekend ride. I guess I could do a Monday ride, go through a fatigued Tuesday ride, and then a Thursday ride, and a longer Saturday ride. I hope I could sustain that. That would be 75 miles during the week and increasing amounts until tour de cure weekend.
I would like to do 3 times a week, but it would most likely be a mon,wed,fri but I am worried I would be too tired for a longer weekend ride. I guess I could do a Monday ride, go through a fatigued Tuesday ride, and then a Thursday ride, and a longer Saturday ride. I hope I could sustain that. That would be 75 miles during the week and increasing amounts until tour de cure weekend.
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03-30-12, 02:30 AM
#54
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03-30-12, 08:23 AM
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I'm sorry, OP, but I just don't think it can be done. If I were you, I'd bail on the ride.
75 miles per week commuting is good, but two 12.5 mile rides a day x three days is not going to prepare you for 100 miles. Unless you have experience doing 75 to 80 mile rides, you're going to struggle horribly doing 100.
You said you've done 50 and can do 50, well that's great. Except that 100 is twice that - a 100 percent increase. Can you do your 50 mile ride twice?
75 miles per week commuting is good, but two 12.5 mile rides a day x three days is not going to prepare you for 100 miles. Unless you have experience doing 75 to 80 mile rides, you're going to struggle horribly doing 100.
You said you've done 50 and can do 50, well that's great. Except that 100 is twice that - a 100 percent increase. Can you do your 50 mile ride twice?
03-30-12, 08:38 AM
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You are completely overthinking this. Ride more, take a day off when fatigued, eat right, sleep well.
Post when you have completed the ride.
Post when you have completed the ride.
03-30-12, 08:50 AM
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I'm sorry, OP, but I just don't think it can be done. If I were you, I'd bail on the ride.
75 miles per week commuting is good, but two 12.5 mile rides a day x three days is not going to prepare you for 100 miles. Unless you have experience doing 75 to 80 mile rides, you're going to struggle horribly doing 100.
You said you've done 50 and can do 50, well that's great. Except that 100 is twice that - a 100 percent increase. Can you do your 50 mile ride twice?
75 miles per week commuting is good, but two 12.5 mile rides a day x three days is not going to prepare you for 100 miles. Unless you have experience doing 75 to 80 mile rides, you're going to struggle horribly doing 100.
You said you've done 50 and can do 50, well that's great. Except that 100 is twice that - a 100 percent increase. Can you do your 50 mile ride twice?
OP: You'll be fine. Go slow.
03-30-12, 09:46 AM
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Can't over emphasize the importance of in-flight nutrition. Suggest you start finding the right combination of endurance drink/snacks that will propel you from start to finish.
03-30-12, 10:06 AM
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If I should ride in my small ring in front and smallest cog at the rear then mine would rub also- that's I why I don't cross chain- big ring with 5/6 cogs from the bottom and small ring with 5/6 cogs from the top (I have 9)
03-30-12, 10:39 AM
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I rode my first century last October and my longest ride prior to that was 65 miles. It can be done but take your time. My total riding time ended up being just under six hours.
03-30-12, 10:49 AM
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Thanks everyone, I rode yesterday and was fine actually going home, it wasn't as painful as when I bonked, because I used to not eat anything before the ride, thinking it would help to lose weight.
I'll be doing 35 tomorrow, 50 if things feel ok
Just because I do analyze things.. what would be better. Doing a 50 mile ride twice a week, or doing 25 miles 5 days a week? Is more repetition better? Or is the time in the saddle at longer duration better?
I think I might try the different cassette to make things a little easier on myself.
I'll be doing 35 tomorrow, 50 if things feel ok
Just because I do analyze things.. what would be better. Doing a 50 mile ride twice a week, or doing 25 miles 5 days a week? Is more repetition better? Or is the time in the saddle at longer duration better?
I think I might try the different cassette to make things a little easier on myself.
03-30-12, 10:50 AM
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6 hours? Wow, not bad, I think most here think it will take me 8-12 hours, or maybe not finish at all!
03-30-12, 11:01 AM
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What is it with people thinking they can jump on a bike one day, on a whim, ride it a few times, and sign up for a century?
I met a guy while doing my first planned event METRIC century (after riding for 8 months) who did one after riding his bike 7 times, including the test ride. I guess there is some effect where slapping on some spandex and an expensive bike gives you that "feeling more fit" feeling (think prepaid commercial).
I met a guy while doing my first planned event METRIC century (after riding for 8 months) who did one after riding his bike 7 times, including the test ride. I guess there is some effect where slapping on some spandex and an expensive bike gives you that "feeling more fit" feeling (think prepaid commercial).
03-30-12, 11:22 AM
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5 or 6 hours? Anyone can average 20 mph by just eating and not go too fast? So the OP should slow down from his normal 27 mph average, eat, and go slow to finish in 5 hours?
03-30-12, 11:27 AM
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Reasonably Slow...
03-30-12, 11:30 AM
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03-30-12, 11:44 AM
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You need to see what kind of tricks your body will play on you when you get really tired/exhausted. Your mind will be coming up with all sorts of reasons why you should stop, and that's just another thing you will have to deal with. Plus, you'll get a little experience with having to eat/drink for 3-4 hours of riding.
So I say you should try 2 50s this week.
This Century is possible, but most of it will not be super-fun. It's going to be pretty miserable after a while.....especially since you're not used to the long distance/time. But nothing says that you can't still ride while you're hurting a little.
03-30-12, 12:20 PM
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Thirst is not always your body telling you it's dehydrated. There are a lot of different things that can cause thirst so saying that it's too late if you're thirsty isn't what I would go with.
I think it's important to drink when you're not thirsty leading up to activity but if you're already hydrated going into it then your body will start making you thirsty pretty quickly...it's just that most people don't pay attention to it and by the time they notice it's too late...slightly different twist.
My brother is nearly graduated with a degree in sports science and currently works with the Salt Lake professional soccer team (meaning, he's a great resource on this sort of thing). He offered the advice of finishing a sports drink 45 minutes before activity when I told him I had the same symptoms of feeling weak and sometimes having a headache. I've added a bit more structure to his advice and came up with the following plan and it's never failed me...drink a glass of water early (first thing for me) in morning. Drink when thirsty throughout the day and then drink a 24oz of (sports drink...I mix powerade) an 1:15 before activity, finishing it in 20-30 minutes. It takes some work getting into the habit of checking if you're thirsty throughout the day because you really only notice it, if you're not consciously thinking about it about it, once you're dehydrated.
FWIW, I asked my brother about the "8 glasses a day" and he just laughed and said it is pure BS and every coach I've ever had has dismissed it outright. Our ancestors (which is where we get our bodily adaptations and needs) wouldn't have been drinking that much water.
03-30-12, 12:38 PM
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Does 5-7 suit you better? Does it matter?
Why do people think centuries are hard? A bicycle is a very efficient machine. If you go slow, you can go far.
03-30-12, 12:45 PM
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Best advice to ride your first century successfully: Wear a Borat swimsuit only and a huge fake moustache.
You'll be the hit of the ride.
You'll be the hit of the ride.
03-30-12, 12:48 PM
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I would say a very, very small part of people starting out with cycling can even come close to that. But you said almost anyone can do that by eating and going slow. You must be something then if 20 mph is slow (or even 15/16 for a 7 hour century)