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

[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!

[jenbug]

Sorry everyone - I've just thought of a related question. What gear, additional to a helmet, would you recommend that I need for training and the race itself?

I'm going to invest in some padded capri pants, a water bottle & cage and probably one of those little computers (sorry - showing my inexperience - hopefully you know what I mean!). I'm trying to keep costs down as much as possible but don't want to skimp on getting equipment or clothing that will really improve the experience.

Thanks again everyone!