Training tips or links?

[Pax]

A good friend of mine has ridden RAGBRAI four years in a row. She asked me if I wanted to ride with her team next year and I snorted, said "yeah right", and laughed. Then I started thinking about it...it looks like a lot of fun, she would be a blast to camp with, maybe I could do it???

So, I don't want to commit yet but I'd like to get some idea what kind of training regimen I'd be looking at...any thoughts/links/suggestions?

[indysteel]

This may seem overly simplistic, but in my opinion, the best way to train for a weeklong tour like RAGBRAI is to ride lots. For me, that means riding at least 4 days a week, with back-to-back long rides on both Saturday and Sunday. I'm doing a tour in mid-September in Tennessee and I've been averaging (with a few exceptions) between 150 and 200 miles a week since late April. I've had a couple of light weeks lately, but I'll make one final push these next couple of weeks. After Labor Day, I'll likely start taking it easy again

If there will be any hilly days, then you also have to incorporate hilly rides (or windy rides if you don't have hills) into your training. Finally, if you're not used to riding in a group, then you might want to work on your group riding skills. What kind of a "team" does your friend belond to and what are their expectations, especially in terms of speed? You might ask your friend or her teammates how they train.

[Jenerator]

Indysteel is right. The best way to get ready to ride your bike is to ride your bike.

Even though RAGBRAI doesn't have any century days, using a generic Century training plan would be a good way to ensure you are comfortable on the bike and at the end of each day and the whole ride. Build up progressively, generally 10% a week. It's especially important to do like Indysteel suggests and get in back-to-back long rides so your body is used to riding long and getting up the next day and doing it again.

[Pax]

... Finally, if you're not used to riding in a group, then you might want to work on your group riding skills. What kind of a "team" does your friend belond to and what are their expectations, especially in terms of speed? You might ask your friend or her teammates how they train.

I'm good in groups and I know hers is pretty informal, sometimes they ride together and other times they just mosey along on their own. The group is all mid 40's to 60 years old so they mostly have a good time without a lot of pressure.

I'm avoiding talking to her about her training because I want to have an out if I decide I'm too lame to ride it.

Indysteel is right. The best way to get ready to ride your bike is to ride your bike.

Even though RAGBRAI doesn't have any century days, using a generic Century training plan would be a good way to ensure you are comfortable on the bike and at the end of each day and the whole ride. Build up progressively, generally 10% a week. It's especially important to do like Indysteel suggests and get in back-to-back long rides so your body is used to riding long and getting up the next day and doing it again.

Thanks, I need to start riding more and Fall is the best possible riding season here in IL.

[Pax]

I googled training tips...lots of them had price tags attached. Guess I'll look at the freebies and do more reading here to come up with a plan that'll work. I don't mind paying for training but I'd like to make sure I'm going to do it first.

[salsabike]

Pax, here is a link to a Seattle to Portland training plan, courtesy of Cycle U and Cascade Bicycle Club.

http://www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/stp_mileage.cfm

[SadieKate]

Sign up for the free newsletter from RoadBikeRider. It's just tidbits and factoids that will help over the long run.

http://www.roadbikerider.com/index.htm

[Pax]

Pax, here is a link to a Seattle to Portland training plan, courtesy of Cycle U and Cascade Bicycle Club.

http://www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/stp_mileage.cfm

Sign up for the free newsletter from RoadBikeRider. It's just tidbits and factoids that will help over the long run.

http://www.roadbikerider.com/index.htm

Ooh, thank you both! It's so weird, if I wanted to train to swim the Channel I'd know exactly what to do...training to cycle is very different.

[blueskies]

I paid $100 to purchase a training plan from trainingpeaks.com last year, and defintely thought it was a worthwhile investment. I used it to train for Cycle Oregon, a week long ride around Oregon. The plan that I followed was Joe Friel's Experience Plus 501 Tour plan.

One thing that's different in training for a tour vs. a century is that you want your body to get used to doing back-to-back long rides.

[tulip]

Here's an eight-week training guide for Cycle NC, a week long bike ride across North Carolina that I'm considering doing this year (although the route is not the greatest). I've done weeklong tours and rides, and I just try to get out and ride a few times during the week with a longer ride or two on the weekends. I'm sure that if I were a bit more systematic, however, I would be able to go faster and farther.

http://www.ncsports.org/cncdetail1.php?id=23