How many miles can I train for ----> Charity event

[Jordyne]

I'm signed up for a few charity rides this summer/fall and want to push myself. I'd say I ride 4 days a week around 15 miles each at like 13mph. Yeah- I'm slow but it's super hilly! I want to do a 50 mile ride and think I can if I train and then take my time at the event (also want to be realistic).
So, on June 15th, there's a ride I want to do. I really want to do the 39 mile option. I think the furthest I've done was 30 miles last year. Can I do this? I didn't ride over the winter, but was doing 23 mile rides each week in the fall and was fine. August has more century rides coming and I'd like to do 50 miles then.

So, how reasonable is this? I want to sign up so I push myself to really get out there on my bike. I also don't want to pass out.


Side question- I want to practice riding in a straight line. Is this actually something worth trying to practice or does it just come as I get stronger and balance gets better? I try to follow a imaginary line....

[TigerMom]

I'm signed up for a few charity rides this summer/fall and want to push myself. I'd say I ride 4 days a week around 15 miles each at like 13mph. Yeah- I'm slow but it's super hilly! I want to do a 50 mile ride and think I can if I train and then take my time at the event (also want to be realistic).
So, on June 15th, there's a ride I want to do. I really want to do the 39 mile option. I think the furthest I've done was 30 miles last year. Can I do this? I didn't ride over the winter, but was doing 23 mile rides each week in the fall and was fine. August has more century rides coming and I'd like to do 50 miles then.

So, how reasonable is this? I want to sign up so I push myself to really get out there on my bike. I also don't want to pass out.


Side question- I want to practice riding in a straight line. Is this actually something worth trying to practice or does it just come as I get stronger and balance gets better? I try to follow a imaginary line....

Assuming that you have good weather and that the 39miles are not super hilly, I don't think that you will have any problems on your 39 mile ride other than probably some buttock/saddle pain since you are riding 15 super hilly miles 4 days per week.

As for riding straight, everyone always talks about strengthening your core to have better balance for riding.

I have an extremely weak core....which might explain why I am so wobbly, especially when I signal/eat a powerbar/drink from my water bottle while I ride. It took me 3months to even drink from my water bottle while riding. Now, it's been a year and I am still wobbly (but better than before).

[maillotpois]

Side question- I want to practice riding in a straight line. Is this actually something worth trying to practice or does it just come as I get stronger and balance gets better? I try to follow a imaginary line....

Look down the road ahead of you - not right in front of your wheel.

Do you have a fog line painted on your roads? The white line at the right side of the road? You can use that or the lines of a bike lane as a "balance beam" to practice riding straight.

Relax, bend your elbows (so that road bumps are absorbed and don't bump you off your line). Breathe. Smile. :)

[ny biker]

Look down the road ahead of you - not right in front of your wheel.

Do you have a fog line painted on your roads? The white line at the right side of the road? You can use that or the lines of a bike lane as a "balance beam" to practice riding straight.

Relax, bend your elbows (so that road bumps are absorbed and don't bump you off your line). Breathe. Smile. :)

And make sure the gear you're using is not too hard.