Ride distance question

I am looking into joining a local ride in August called the ULCER. Like all centuries there are 4 different distances. I'm new to riding and am not sure which leg I should register for. The smallest distance is 24 miles, which I know I can do no problem by August. However, what I would like to do is the challenger distance, approximately 56 miles. I'm looking for advise from all you lovely ladies with more experience. Do you think that as a new rider shooting for 56 miles in August is too ambitious or do you think its doable? If doable, is there a training plan or something that I can follow to help me make sure I'm building the mileage that will get me to my goal, without "killing" me in the process? :rolleyes:

I think it's totally doable. I recently went from being able to do about 10 miles to doing 35 in about 6 weeks. Because I have kids, I wasn't able to get out much (usually only one road ride a week), so we got a trainer and I rode it about 4x a week. Twice a week I would do a Spinervals workout (I have the Uphill Grind one but would like to get a couple more) and the other two days I would just ride for 45 minutes to an hour. Then on Saturdays I'd go out for a road ride and try to add 5 - 7 miles each week.

How hilly is the ride? I don't know how strong you are on hills so you may or may not need to work on your climbing. That's a weak point for me, personally, so I bought the Uphill Grind dvd since it works your climbing.

I'm going to try to do a 100K in August that apparently has some tough hills. I'm gonna have to get my booty in gear!! :)

I hope everything goes great and can't wait to hear all about it!

Hi, Sulis! What is your mileage base now? I know, I know, SLC winters, etc.

The 100 mile American Century states no major climbs and it is highly unlikely that the shorter routes would have any more difficult climbs. Organizers just don't do that. Doesn't look like they're taking you up the Wasatch front but keeping you in the valleys so I think the Challenger is very doable.

Try the Red Riding Hood 30 in June as an intermediate goal and then you'll know. You have 7 weeks to train for a 30 mile ride with no major climbs. You may even decide to go for the Baker's Metric at the ULCER!

Do a little search and you'll find all kinds of training plans by the week for century rides. Some of the links are probably buried in threads on this forum. I find that if I use a training plan (even informal) with progressive goals, I can comfortably ride the distance. The plan should include terrain like the ride.

If you decide to ride the Little Red Riding Hood, give me a holler and maybe we can say hi.

SK

PS - I like your local club rides that say to bring "ice cream money." :D

Sulis, I started riding last April and did my first longer ride in June for the Diabetes Ride - about 42 miles. Weekly training rides of about 20 miles seemed to be enough prep but I was tuckered out at the end. That's when I found out that (1) I needed to cool down at the end (almost keeled over when I just jumped off the bike with my heart racing, trying to keep up with a speedy friend) and (2) I needed to refuel with the right protein/carbo/fat ratio right after the ride. I felt like I was dead for about three days after the race because I didn't want to eat afterwards and I was too stupid to eat much while I was riding. Eating later didn't do a bit of good - it was too late to make a difference to my muscles.

Sulis-if you have a local riding group- join up! Tell them your goals, and ask for coaching. I have found that riding with others is a great motivator and also great opportunity to learn how to cycle efficiently. One long ride every weekend plus some shorter rides during the week should be fine. You have plenty of time I would say. If you have hills, practice going up, coming down, going up, etc. That is great training if you can't do alot of distance riding.

Also use your rides to learn how to eat and drink. Drinking while riding is an art which takes practice. Take some bars with you and use small pieces every once in awhile to give you energy. Drink, Drink, Drink. When you get home, be sure to keep hydrating. Its amazing how much fluid you lose cycling even in cold weather!

Keep us posted! AND keep a journal so you can see your progress. It takes a minute and its worth a lot as you go down the road toward your goal :)

A lot depends on your age, current fitness level and current mileage. The sages say that you should increase your distance by no more than 10% each week.

It's also said that if you can do 80% of your mileage by the time the big ride comes along - adrenalin will carry you for the remaining 20%.

I echo the advice - during the ride eat before you are hungry & drink before you are thirsty. This is a good time to experiment with different foods to see what works best for you. Some people like energy bars, some like bananas & other "real food" - it all depends on what works for you.

Be sure to refuel within 30 minutes to 2 hours after a hard training ride. That is when your muscles can readily accept glucose. You can supplement with l-glutamine - 5 grams - after a ride and that is supposed to help muscle repair. Be sure to refuel with fast acting carbs and some protein.

Everyone has offered excellent advice - setting a goal now for the ride in August is a great start.

My suggestion is to get into the habit of making stretching part of your cool down routine. Stretching causes oxygen to move to the muscles improving the circulation and healing your muscles. Stretching also reduces your chance of experiencing soreness following a ride.

Remember that your mental attitude will have a lot to do with your success - if you think you can do it ... you can and will.

DH and I are in training for the MS 150 ride scheduled for early August - makes me smile to think that training includes getting out on my bike instead of dusting!

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Originally Posted by Bike Goddess

Keep us posted! AND keep a journal so you can see your progress. It takes a minute and its worth a lot as you go down the road toward your goal :)

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Which you can do over at BikeJournal.com for free. It's amazing how much of a motivator it is to see your mileage keep going up! TE has a club there too and it's been crazy fun seeing everyone elses mileage! and yes: please keep us posted!

Argh...most of my miles right now are trainer miles and I do not yet own a cyclocomputer so I really don't know how far I'm pedaling. I'm starting to get cabin fever. The sun only seems to come out during the time I'm at my work desk, attached to the computer. The minute I move outside the rain clouds set in. I don't know what mother nature has in store for us Westerners-- its been a wet few months.

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Originally Posted by sulis

I do not yet own a cyclocomputer so I really don't know how far I'm pedaling.

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I'd highly recommend getting a computer for your bike - it will give you a good feeling of accomplishment to see how the miles stack up!

You don't need anything fancy - just something to show your miles. If you stick with the basics you will be able to pick one up for not much money. I just checked the REI site for an example, and there was a very basic computer from Cat Eye that was priced at $17.

--- Denise