Little Red Riding Hood-Utah

[Flybye]

How realistic is it to sign up for the 64 miler when my top ride now is 24? I could have gone further on this ride, but didn't.
Thanks!

[sulis]

Hi Flybye

Welcome to TE. I think 64 is definitely doable. I rode the ULCER a few years ago as my first ever organized ride. I had not even trained and my max miled as probably 20 miles. I had no problem riding the half century...well I was a bit sore the next day. But with rest stops every 15 miles or so, there was time to get off the bike, stretch eat. If you find a trianing plan online and ride different mileage during the week, I think you will be fine for the metric by June 2nd. And remember, its a ride, not a race. You can take as long or as short as you want to to ride it. The fab guys at BBTC won't leave you out there alone on the course. You'll also probably end up riding with other ladies at your speed. Go ahead and register for the longer ride. Let that day determine how far you actually go. LRRH is a great first organized ride.

[jobob]

Yep, what sulis said, you can certainly do the 64 miler if you start training now.

The key is to gradually increase the distance you ride over the next 6 weeks.

The general rule of thumb is to increase by about 10% or so each week. The other rule of thumb I've seen (where did they come up with that term anyhow?) is that if you can comfortably do about 75% of your target distance before the ride, you'll be fine. So you'll want to be able to do about 50 miles at one time by the end of May.

You say you're up to about 24 miles right now, so here's a sample plan (assuming you do your long ride on Saturday). It's not exactly a 10% increase per week but close enough.

4/21: 28 miles
4/28: 32 miles
5/05: 36 miles
5/12: 40 miles
5/19: 45 miles
5/26: 50 miles
6/2: LRRH

Also, during the rest of the week you should try to fit in two or three 5 mile rides (gradually increasing one or more of those to about 10 miles) so you don't do just one single long ride one day a week.

Hope this helps! - Jo.

[SadieKate]

The other rule of thumb I've seen (where did they come up with that term anyhow?) . . . .

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/307000.html

[jobob]

Thank you dear.

[Flybye]

hehehehe, here I am thinking that the post following yours with the link on it is more information about how to ease into the 10% per week and it is about "the rule of thumb" Oh, so funny.
Really, though, thanks for the chart with the weeks and amounts of rides. I have been riding TWO 24 mile rides per week and killing myself. Now that I know that it is okay to ride once, I should be in good shape.
I REALLY appreciate your advice.
I am so excited. I feel like a 6 year old on Christmas Eve - I hope this feeling stays with me the whole time, not just a newness thing.
I have registered for the ride and am now checking out hotels -
Thanks again, all of you!

[SadieKate]

No, no, no! That is the length of your longest ride of the week.

Also, during the rest of the week you should try to fit in two or three 5 mile rides (gradually increasing one or more of those to about 10 miles) so you don't do just one single long ride one day a week.

OK, someone needs to find all those links we've posted over the years about weekly training plans. Short and fast rides vs long and slow, etc.

[jobob]

I have been riding TWO 24 mile rides per week and killing myself. Now that I know that it is okay to ride once, I should be in good shape.
I REALLY appreciate your advice

Err, except that wasn't really my advice.

Maybe I soft-pedaled the concept of doing more that one ride a week. I didn't say it was OK to only do just one ride per week.

I'll clarify: You really really really need to do more than one ride a week. If you're killing yourself right now doing two 24 mile rides per week, then you should consider doing three rides per week, one at the long distance, and two more at 5 to 10 miles.

You need to build up your stamina, and you'll really be doing yourself a disservice if you only do one ride per week.