New rider training for 50 mile ride at end of September - realistic?

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can offer some advice. I've been lurking on the message boards for a while but decided it was time to take the plunge and do my first post! (I love this website!)

I got my new bike, a Specialized Hybrid, a week ago. Very exciting. I'm completely new to cycling and haven't done it since I was about 7 years old, plus I have some extra weight to lose (about 35 pounds). I'm yet to get all the gear (apart from a helmet obviously) and have just been out riding around the neighbourhood so far (about 4 miles).

Anyway, my question is this - I've spotted a 50-mile charity bike ride taking place at the end of September. I'd love to raise some money for this charity and think it would be good to give myself a goal to work towards. However, is working up from 4 miles to 50 miles in 10 weeks an unrealistic goal? I'd plan to get out on the bike to train most days .

Any advice on whether this would be a good idea or not would be much appreciated! Cheers!

Welcome and congrats on the bike! I think it really depends on 2 things: 1) what's your fitness like now? Have you been doing other active stuff? 2) How comfortable do you want to be when you finish the ride? For someone who is already active, I think you can pretty comfortably work up to that. For someone who has been less active - you may be able to do it - but maybe not as comfortably.

Also what's the terrain like on the ride?

CA

I think it's very realistic.
Last year I went from riding in Spring 6-7 miles maybe twice a week to a century in September followed by a very hilly and tough metric century in October. In June I did another century and am now training for two hilly metrics and another September century.

Just take it slowly, and work progressively on your training and comfort level on the bike. You have 6 weeks til September. If you handle this right, 50 mile ride will be a joy.

You don't give your age or how hilly the ride will be. Have you been doing other activities like fitness walking, or were you a couch potato up until buying your new bike? All this has bearing on how you might do.

Why not just give it a try? Having a goal is always good motivation.

Remember that being sore will be a part of your training if you are trying to go from 0-50 in a short time period. ;)

Contact the organizers and see if they have training rides.
Or find someone who rides better than you and ask if they'd help you train.

Thanks everyone,

In answer to your questions: I'm 29 and whilst not exactly a couch potato (I walk a fair bit and go to the gym a couple of times a week) I'm definitely lacking in the fitness stakes!

On the MS bike ride website, it classes the ride as "easy" so I'm assuming that it will be smooth, non-hilly-ish terrain. The local ride is in a couple of weeks time (definitely unrealistic!) so I'd be entering the one a couple of states across which is in September. Unfortunately I don't think I'd be able to find a cycling training group to join locally for that ride.

Thanks very much for your advice - which has made me think it's not completely unrealistic! As a new cycler, I'm a little worried that by taking this on it might take some of the enjoyment out of my new sport if I'm riding to discomfort. So I need to weigh this up in my mind.

Thanks everyone - really useful advice - much appreciated!

An "easy" MS Ride should be fine. I LOVE the eastern NC one - great support, folks cheering you on, good (and frequent rest stops). Of all the rides - I'd say go for it! And remember, your longest ride before the event doesn't need to be the event distance. I'd say 35-40 miles would be enough (as long as you can get comfortable with that). Event day will do the rest:)

CA

I think you can do it! Try bumping your mileage up by 10% each week. Have fun and enjoy your new bike.

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to go for it!

Sorry everyone - I've just thought of a related question. What gear, additional to a helmet, would you recommend that I need for training and the race itself?

I'm going to invest in some padded capri pants, a water bottle & cage and probably one of those little computers (sorry - showing my inexperience - hopefully you know what I mean!). I'm trying to keep costs down as much as possible but don't want to skimp on getting equipment or clothing that will really improve the experience.

Thanks again everyone!

On longer training rides, you may want 2 bottles - most bikes will take 2. Bottles can usually be obtained inexpensively. Padded capris are good - shebeest makes some really nice ones.

A bike computer is useful to have - particularly on organized rides. It will help you follow the route - most tell you to turn ever x.x miles. However, on an MS ride, the route is usually really well marked, so it may not be necessary. I'd try to wear a wicking shirt - doesn't have to be a jersey. Just something to keep you comfortable (something you wear to the gym or walking should be OK for now).

You will also need a way to change a flat on your bike should you have one far from home. There are lots of flat clinics - and you tube videos - just make sure you at least have the equipment (pump or cartridges, spare tube, tire irons). You are pumping your tires up before every ride, right:)

CA

A quick web search found this bike club in Racine:

http://www.krbikeclub.com/

I don't know anything about them, but if you contact them and tell them where you are (cycling wise) and where you want to be (50 miles in Sept) they ought to be able to tell you if any of their regular rides would be good for you. Also, they might have some people training for this or other rides in the fall that would like to have you train with them.

Good luck.

Barbara

I started biking this summer and did my first 50 mile ride on June 1st. You can totally do it - though I think it's best to find people to train with. It makes it a lot more fun and gives you something to think about besides pedaling.

While I agree riding with people is great, but you gotta know......

there's nothing wrong with riding alone and thinking about pedaling!

We spend so much of life with others, and so many things to do, what I really enjoy about riding alone is that it's probably about the only time I'm totally in the moment, able to put all of the other demands of daily life aside. with only me, my bike, and the road asking anything of me!

The competitive thing that starts in my brain when I'm out riding with DH is fun too -- and when even more people are involved, that's its own kind of fun!

All three things have their plusses for improving my confidence on my bike!

Karen in Boise

please invest in a pair of gloves! your hands can really get torn up on a simple fall. And if you sweat, it's better in open fingered gloves than it is on bare handlebars.

Other than the helmet, sunglasses, extra tubes and pump I think that covers it (in addition to what others have said)