New rider training for 50 mile ride at end of September - realistic?

[indigoiis]

I think it's very realistic.
Last year I went from riding in Spring 6-7 miles maybe twice a week to a century in September followed by a very hilly and tough metric century in October. In June I did another century and am now training for two hilly metrics and another September century.

Just take it slowly, and work progressively on your training and comfort level on the bike. You have 6 weeks til September. If you handle this right, 50 mile ride will be a joy.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You don't give your age or how hilly the ride will be. Have you been doing other activities like fitness walking, or were you a couch potato up until buying your new bike? All this has bearing on how you might do.

Why not just give it a try? Having a goal is always good motivation.

Remember that being sore will be a part of your training if you are trying to go from 0-50 in a short time period.

[Zen]

Contact the organizers and see if they have training rides.
Or find someone who rides better than you and ask if they'd help you train.

[jenbug]

Thanks everyone,

In answer to your questions: I'm 29 and whilst not exactly a couch potato (I walk a fair bit and go to the gym a couple of times a week) I'm definitely lacking in the fitness stakes!

On the MS bike ride website, it classes the ride as "easy" so I'm assuming that it will be smooth, non-hilly-ish terrain. The local ride is in a couple of weeks time (definitely unrealistic!) so I'd be entering the one a couple of states across which is in September. Unfortunately I don't think I'd be able to find a cycling training group to join locally for that ride.

Thanks very much for your advice - which has made me think it's not completely unrealistic! As a new cycler, I'm a little worried that by taking this on it might take some of the enjoyment out of my new sport if I'm riding to discomfort. So I need to weigh this up in my mind.

Thanks everyone - really useful advice - much appreciated!

[Blueberry]

An "easy" MS Ride should be fine. I LOVE the eastern NC one - great support, folks cheering you on, good (and frequent rest stops). Of all the rides - I'd say go for it! And remember, your longest ride before the event doesn't need to be the event distance. I'd say 35-40 miles would be enough (as long as you can get comfortable with that). Event day will do the rest

CA

[makbike]

I think you can do it! Try bumping your mileage up by 10% each week. Have fun and enjoy your new bike.

[jenbug]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to go for it!