Help me with a training plan and logistics

[Owlie]

I want to do a century. It'll be self-supported (because of work--and all my coworkers taking weekends until July--I can't do the organized ones), on the rail-trail, so it'll be flat. Debating which bike to take. Leaning toward the CX bike with slick tires on it, because it fits better. The only downside is that that bike sucks up more energy over the long haul (or it feels like it does) than the road bike.

Had my knee not exploded back in September this wouldn't be an issue. I had been doing 40-50 milers regularly with slightly longer rides (60-70) thrown in there. Now I'm doing 15-20 3-4 days a week, but haven't ventured much further than that because of a lack of time (and allergies). A 25-mile ride for some reason had me exhausted.

I don't know what the best way to ramp my mileage back up before July, especially considering the fact that I work weekends. Once this month is over I think I'll have a little more flexibility since I won't have experiments to do. Just writing. Suggestions?

[OakLeaf]

Allergies can CAUSE exhaustion, you know. That and the brain fog are really my most debilitating allergy symptoms. But I agree, if they're affecting you that badly, it might be time to see about immunotherapy. Or at very least a scrip for Singulair (leukotriene blocker), which deals with those symptoms much better than antihistamines do. It's way cheaper since it went generic a year or two ago.

[Melalvai]

How important is it that you get your 100 miles? I came to a realization at some point that 100 miles on a road bike is not the same thing as 100 miles on my sturdy commuter. If I spent 7 or 8 hrs on a bike I could do 100 miles on a road bike but only 70 miles on my commuter. Either way it's 7 hrs on the bike at the same effort level. So I quit being so hung up on 100 miles. I focus on hours instead.

[Skippyak]

I am confused as to what you want to achieve? Just the 100? Is your rail trial multi use? I have a hard time imaging wanting to do 100 miles on that, with kids and horses and strollers. Also why July? Why not later? Why not ride on the road? The best and only way to ramp up mileage is just to get on your bike and ride. If time limits that, then adjust your plans. I get the idea of having a goal, but you have to ask yourself why you want this goal? As it is not an organised ride, you can fix the day and date for whenever.

[Crankin]

Everybody is different.

[Owlie]

I am confused as to what you want to achieve? Just the 100? Is your rail trial multi use? I have a hard time imaging wanting to do 100 miles on that, with kids and horses and strollers. Also why July? Why not later? Why not ride on the road? The best and only way to ramp up mileage is just to get on your bike and ride. If time limits that, then adjust your plans. I get the idea of having a goal, but you have to ask yourself why you want this goal? As it is not an organised ride, you can fix the day and date for whenever.

It's a multi-use trail, but between the main access points, it's mostly cyclists. And maybe we're just really polite here, but I've had relatively few problems.
Basically, I want to ride the total length of this trail (it's quite long, and it comes out to be about 100 miles, possibly more), as it's what got me to fall in love with riding. It's been a goal of mine to do it before I left Ohio, and this summer will be my last chance for a long time.

[Sky King]

Good goal, I am assuming it is pave the entire way? Perhaps the tires on the CX are the issue that make you feel the energy zap. I would choose the bike that fits the best, especially if the trail is basically flat so gearing isn't an issue.
I switched tires last spring and was shocked at the difference - all good. I ride a wide tire 650B X 40 and have the Grand Bois Hetre's, the rolling resistance is so so much better than the Rivendell Maxie Fastie's I used to ride.

Also for a self supported 100, think about your handlebars, do you have a few positions so you can move around a bit while pedaling.

I admire anyone doing 100 miles in the mid-west in the middle of the summer

I believe that if you do 25-35 regularly then throw in a 50 a few times before you go, doing a 100 is totally achievable. I am not a fast rider, a believer in slow and steady, steady and slow. Thus I am not a fan of charity rides - to many people who think it is a race. They stress me out but riding a 100 by myself or with a few others is a lovely way to spend a long day.