How do I train for my first cycling event?

[rivergrl]

I have never ridden with a cycling group but I really want to participate in a cycling event in my area. It's in September and they are offering a 25, 50, 75 or 100 mile ride. I can ride 21 miles with no problem on my own. My question is since I've never ridden in a group should I just do the 25 mile instead of shooting for higher? Also, how would I train or prepare myself for something like this. I'm a bit intimadated to ride in an event where there is going to be a lot of people.

Any advice for someone who'd like to get into riding charity events etc?

[Imanewcreation]

Good question rivergl. As a novice rider I was wondering the same thing. I am quite intimidated by riding with someone other than dear ole DH. Not to sure of all the rules and what nots. If your anywhere near Michigan let me know and we can figure this thing out together. I have rode 20 miles as my longest ride. Looking to go further.

[Caecilia]

I'm in the same boat - have signed up for my first 50-mile charity ride this September. There were also 8 and 25 mile options, but I know I can do those, so went for the challenge. How/where do you bike now? I mostly ride solo, but on city roads and one of our heavier-used trails, figuring that getting used to dealing with road/trail traffic is good practice for maneuvering in larger groups. Also, I expect to bear near the back of the pack where it won't be as much of an issue

[RoadRaven]

Hi there ladies... if you want a training programme to build yourselves up you will find lots and lots of suggestions and calculations in journal aricles and various books. As a newbie this didn't help me at all.

I would recommend, however, Gale Bernhardt's "The Female Cyclist: Gearing up a Level"

She outlines not only a build up of several months and what type of rides you should do each week. She also explains what each type of ride is and what it achieves. She also explains how you can adapt them to your level of fitness, or to the time you can commit to training.

She has about 5 plans (sorry not to be more specific but my partner is still asleep and the book is on my side of the bed) for centuries, improving hill climbing, time trials and a couple of other things.

Well worth either buying, or borrowing and phhaving a close look at that chapter.

Apart from that, getting ready for long distances, ride, ride, ride. Increase your distances by no more than 10% in a week, and be consistent in your time on the bike!

Most importantly, have fun!!!

[smilingcat]

Generally speaking, charity rides, fun rides and such, the riders tend to spread apart quite a bit so you don't have to worry too much about riding close or all bunched up like the peloton in TdF ride. You might ride together with 3-5 other people in your sight.

One thing I would suggest is that get a clip and attach to the handle bar so you can clip your route sheet. Holding the route sheet for 50 mile doesn't work. Sliding the route sheet under your shorts by the knee doesn't work.

Pace yourself on the ride and you'll be fine. One thing I've learned over the years is that guys WAYY OVER ESTIMATE WHAT THEY CAN DO and women tend to way underestimate what they can do. Ride the length you feel comfortable with. But if you've been riding only 30 flat miles on a outing, please don't try the 100mile with the hills. For us its common sense, boys well I'm no so sure.

smilingcat

[tygab]

Not all rides are like this tho. If it is a smaller event the spacing is usually quite workable, but even in the smaller rides of say 200 or so there's still bunching that occurs at points. For some of the larger ones, you will almost never be alone. By larger I mean ones with thousands of registrants. If you have decided to do a large ride as your first event as I did, you must be a little nuts (ok, I mean that I was a little nuts ).

The PMC for example is just about shoulder to shoulder for the first 7 or 8 miles (so it feels like anyway). The ride had some 1500 at the start I used. After that it thins out, but I was always surrounded by avg of 5-7 others right near me. That's part of what made it neat but there's a great picture of me at the start last year that my husband took. I am rubbing my chin and have a decided look of "uhm, what have I gotten myself into" as I stand around a thousand super experienced looking cyclists, or so I thought anyway. I figured for sure I was out of my league.

For me one intimidation factor was not knowing how other people would ride (answer: some ride well. some ride very sloppily.). Like cars, or dogs, or holes in the pavement, you just have to watch out for all obstacles. On a big ride that means other cyclists.

But by the same token, I've been on group rides with three or four people where everyone knows everyone, and two of em still nearly run into each other. Distraction just has that effect, doesn't really matter the #....

So, my thoughts are:

-Do it - it is always motivational to have a goal
-Pick a mileage you're aiming for
-Adjust based on how you feel day of
-Ride carefully, like you would any other time
-Have a blast!

[pyxichick]

Congratulations to all the women here who are getting ready for the first big ride!

One thing that nobody mentioned yet, is that if you can find a good group of people to ride with, you can get used to drafting off each other by riding together in the weeks leading up to the event, and then the ride will be much easier for everyone and you can probably go further than if you ride alone.

It's always good to have friends!

Good luck and have fun.

kate

[DarcyInOregon]

To add to what Roadraven said, in case this is your question, but in event rides you are not riding in a big group. At least for most event rides.

There is a start time and a time when the routes close. You show up early to pick up your registration packets pin the number on your jersey, look at the map for your route and so on. Then you take off. There is no big line up at a starting line (for most of these events). Cyclists start their routes when it suits them to do so, therefore cyclists are spread out over the miles. You can pedal for miles and not see another cyclist. You might have small packs pass you, people who got together to do the ride who belong to a club together or who are just cycling buddies. Or you might pass a cyclist now and then. You meet some cyclists at the rest stops. And then there is always one turn in the route at each event where a lot of cyclists get confused, stop, congregrate and debate in which direction to go. Follow the marks on the pavement and ignore the idiots.

My point is there is no reason to train in groups to do an event ride. Pick the route for the number of miles that is a bit more than you are used to doing, so that you have a challenge. Always stop at the rest stops, and always refill your water bottles with whatever liquid you choose, and always eat something with salt and carbs in it. Don't ever pass a rest stop. If you think the numbers on your bike computer are important, then focus on your trip time, not your total time, because time at the rest stop is important to refuel the body so as to prevent low blood sugar, dehydration and electrolyte shortages.

Also, two critical key words in the text descriptions of the routes are "very challenging." If you see those two words, it really means long super steep hills with a high grade and it sometimes means miles of those super steep hills.

Darcy

[rivergrl]

Thank ya'll for all the info. I'm going to seriously consider doing the ride in September now.

[Tri Girl]

I definitely think you should do the ride, rivergrl!!! Shoot for the 50, and as the time gets closer, if you feel you can do the 75 then go for it. You can always change your mind the day of the event if you've chosen a longer distance, but don't feel you can go that far (some days you just wake up not "feeling it").
There are also lots of training programs online- just be careful of the source (don't do Bob's training plan if you don't know/can't trust who Bob is ). Since you can easily ride 21, the 50 might be a great challenge for your first group ride.

Like others said, it's never like the peloton that you see on t.v., and the rides are always far more relaxed, easy-going and friendly than any serious "races." You'll have the cyclists show up who have something to prove and want to speed through, and you'll have the recreational cyclist who's just there to do the distance and have a great day!
I'm doing a ride tomorrow, and athough I'm more of a serious cyclist, I'm taking my "more relaxed" road bike and planning on riding it with a couple friends and having a fun day. My alone training rides are where I can really kick it and race myself. Tomorrow's going to be a fun day!

Enjoy!

[RoadRaven]

Absolutely Rver, you do this.

Make sure you ride the distance or close to it before the event, and between then and now just build yourself up to the time/distance.

Like Darcy says, find out when the sag-wagon goes through and make sure you can ride the distance inside that time... and then settle back to do the ride and feel very proud of yourself on its completion.

Great goal... keep us posted with your training and the event itself.

Are there any other shorter events you can do as well to "get a feel" for it?

[Zen]

I would recommend, however, Gale Bernhardt's "The Female Cyclist: Gearing up a Level"...

I have that book.
Maybe I should read it sometime.

[RoadRaven]

I have that book.
Maybe I should read it sometime.

Yes, Zen... you should

[Andrea]

It sounds like you're physically up to the challenge!
I would recommend calling up your local bike shops & see if any of them have some beginner level group rides that you could try out. Riding with a group is great because you can motivate each other, help each other out, AND, as a bonus, you can actually travel a little further and faster than a single rider.

A few group ride hints...
#1 be predictable
#2 call out road hazards, turns, changes of speed, etc. (kinda goes with #1)
#3 don't overlap your front wheel with someone's back wheel (sometimes called "halfwheeling"). If they swerve to miss a pothole or other road hazard, your wheels could hit & cause a wreck. The same goes for someone riding near you- if they are overlapping you or generally riding in a way that makes you uncomfortable, tell them to stop. It's better to be a little "rude" (even though they may be the rude ones) than to let someone cause a wreck involving you.

[Whip]

Just want to say YEAH!!!! and Holy POOP! to everyone who is doing their first group charity event and everyone who is taking on a ride just beyond what she may be comfortable doing.

I did an American Cancer Society 50 mile road ride -on a mt. bike for my first group ride five years ago. I had only been riding for one month - yikes!

I started crying at the registration table and also at the first rest start - because I JUST COULDN'T BELIEVE I was part of this incredible thing.

It was pure joy.

Have fun!

Whip