donrhummy

I don't know the best word for this but which would you be more proud to accomplish?

* 30 straight days of 50 miles every day (so 1500 miles for the month)
* 8 centuries in a month (so 800 miles total, maybe 1000 or so with extra short rides thrown in)

smurf hunter

I can tell you from experience it's less demanding for me to ride a century, rest a day, then another century than doing 4 consecutive 50 mile days.

donrhummy

I agree. I've done 8 centuries in 10 weeks before and each one was tough but by the time the next came around, I was more than fine (granted 8 in 4 weeks is a lot tougher).

Machka 

In July 2002 I rode 1583 miles.

In August 2003, I rode 1493 miles.

In October 2004, I rode 1648 miles.

The common factor in all three of those instances .... a 1200K randonnee.

I'd rather ride 1200K all at once and then fill in the rest of the distance in shorter days.

Given your two options, I think I'd prefer to do 8 centuries to reach the 1500 mile goal. I might be able to fit it into my 50-60 hour work-week schedule better. But if I were on a tour, the 50 miles a day thing might be fairly comfortably doable, depending on weather and terrain.

bikeguy

last summer I rode 3791 miles in 50 days We rode 45 days and had 5 rest days

along the way we rode 9 centuries and our longest day was 123miles...

after the first week we kept getting stronger ... it was really fun but not that hard

I am 50 yrs old

spokenword

as with Machka's qualifiers. If it were 30 days of touring, then I'd find the first option to be more attractive. If this were just me hanging out at home, dedicating 3+ hours of my day for 30 days to riding a bike sounds like drudgery. I tend to prefer journeys to just doing exercise loops and there aren't that many places that I need to visit on a given day that are 50 or 25 miles away.

8 centuries a month, though, leads to the possibility of doing a 100 mile ride to some destination on Friday and riding a 100 miles home on Sunday every week. That sounds way more fun if it's part of my everyday riding.

donrhummy

Sure, the miles can be to any destination or for any purpose you want. I was just wondering if people preferred longer distances over the ability to do more total miles every day for an entire month. Personally, I think that I'd be a better century rider if I could make it through the 30 straight days (after some rest/recovery of course) as my body would adapt and grow more but the centuries would be a little easier (and more enjoyable towards the last week or so of the month) as an entire month program.

Reynolds 

For me, 50 miles a day for 30 days is harder.

Machka 

If your goal is to be a better century rider ... start riding double centuries. A few of those, and centuries will become training rides.

Dewbert

I think it really depends on what else is happening in your life. A 30 day, 50mile per day tour would be great. Having the time to fit 8 centuries in during a single month would be fun too. The real question is.... while working 60 hours per week, which of these is more do-able?!

donrhummy

If you're willing to give up most of your weekend, you could do the centuries on sat/sun. With the 50 miles a day, you'd have to get up VERY early before work to do it.

Anyone here read "Bike for Life: How to Ride to 100"? They have a great story in there of a cyclist, Dan Crain, who did a month (31 straight days) of 100 miles EVERY day before work. He woke up every day at 4am and rode a century before work. He said he was fatigued all month but came back stronger than ever after a few weeks of rest. He was 59!!

the spin guru

I have to agree that I would prefer to do 8 centuries a month. Mostly due to time constaints i.e work and family. But either way doing that much will make you a stronger rider.

olafub

I'd have to go with the 50/30. That's real commitment.

donrhummy

While I would choose the 50/30, I am surprised that won out in a long distance forum. Especially since I don't think any of us see 50 miles as a long distance.

flyingcadet

"Which accomplishment would you be more proud of?"

I voted 50 miles a day for 30 days. I'd be more proud of that because it is more difficult to schedule and maintain 50 a day than to do 8 centuries a month.

flyingcadet

Richard Cranium

I'd go with the 50 mile a day thing. Only because a 1500 mile month is a pretty big deal.

donrhummy

Agreed. The most miles I ever did in a month was 700 (and that was only possible because I had a long vacation I was able to use). I don't know how I'd even find the time to do more than that. Well, I guess if I got faster.

Machka 

Do a 1200K randonnee plus a few extra rides and you'll be there.

donrhummy

Do you do these supported or unsupported?

Machka 

Both.

StephenH

I voted, but you might as well ask if I'd rather leap over tall buildings or run faster than a speeding bullet- it's hypothetical.

donrhummy

Why's that? You'll never run faster than a speeding bullet but you CAN achieve either of the choices here.

USAZorro

I voted 8 centuries for three reasons - even though I think the other option would be more difficult.

1. Odds are there's going to be nasty weather somewhere in those 30 days. I'll take common sense over pride.

2. Religion. That 7th day is a day of rest.

3. Pride is a dangerous thing. I have to check myself occasionally lest I get too full of myself.

benajah

I have to go with the 50mi/day. Even in really great shape, that kind of mileage will wear you enough that you really need at least one day a week rest so if you can do it for 30 straight days, that really is something to be proud of.