Lotoja 2013

[ehirsch83]

Well I got in for the full 200 miles ::

Would love any advice from anyone who has done it or any of you other super strong long distance riders out there!

It isn't until Sept 7th. Right now I am doing one 4-5 hour ride a week as my long ride and I am figuring out routes around me to mimic the elevation change of the course.

If anyone else is doing it-would love to meet at the race

[marni]

congrats on getting in.

Acouple of thoughts from a semi long distance rider (ie longest daysbetween 110-130 but not very often.) Build up you TITS time to at least 6-7 hours.
Train your body to go longer between stops.

Dont' take long pauses every time, Only if you need to pee or refill bottles or every second or third stop.

Pace yourself very firmly, don't let the excitement of the start of the doldrums of mid ride and late ride change your endurance pace.

Drink every 15 and eat every 30 minutes. You will need between 300 and 500 calories per hour to keep your reserves up.

If you feel yourself starting to bonk- get off of the bike, find some shade, lie down and restfor 5-10 minutes while driniking and having a snack.

If you can find a fast food place, a coke or icecream midafternoon tastes good and helps some, if not physically, at least mentally and emotionally.

I havevarious versions of 99 bottles of beer on the wal, indlucing one for hill and one for the flat, hot, humid Mississippi Delta, that help to keep me mentally focused and act as pacesetters. Find yourself something.

Ride with a group if and when you can but take your turn at the front as well as at the back.

I wish you lots of luck. Enjoy it, the sense of accomplishment that comes from having done something like this is amazing.

[ny biker]

Well, I have no personal experience with rides that long, but I do know someone who does very long rides in Ireland and other parts of Europe. I don't think the rides he does are races, but perhaps some of the advice on the group's website will be helpful:

http://www.audaxireland.org/the-saddlebag/

http://www.audaxireland.org/the-sadd...nt-check-list/

http://www.audaxireland.org/the-sadd...-for-an-event/

http://www.audaxireland.org/the-sadd...-up-to-a-300k/

Good luck!! And don't forget to schedule some recovery weeks in your training plan to help keep yourself fresh and focused.

[Catrin]

Wow! No advice, the longest I've ridden is 70 miles and I finished THAT ride injured...but have fun training for this! I know we have women on TE who have ridden that far and further, I am sure they will chime in as they notice this thread. Kudos for taking on this kind of challenge!

[kacie tri-ing]

Awesome! Sounds like fun!

I do plenty of very long distance stuff :-)

Most of us would say that back to back riding is important. You don't really need to do a 150 mile ride in preparation for a 200 mile ride. I do think doing back to back 100's (sat/sun) work well in preparation.

Elevation change is a tough one--hill repeats, hard gear intervals on the trainer, drive somewhere to ride real hills one time.

Work on some of your deep-in nutrition. I like coffee/chocolate covered coffee beans, rice krispy treats, etc.

Feel free to ask anything else!

[TigerMom]

Kerplunk....that's me falling on the floor in awe! I was tired after a relatively flat century (2900 feet elevation)

We can't wait to hear about your ride!