training for a metric century or century

[Pip]

Four months should be enough to get you ready for the Graperide! I hadn't done a lot of cycling before starting my training for it. I signed up to a seven week programme and my longest ride before the race was only about 60km. I wouldn't recommend that approach - an injury limited my time on bike halfway through the training, but it shows it can be done. I was already reasonably fit from running, but the Graperide's not too hilly, so I think you can do it!

It would be great to meet up with some other TE members down there. I tend to mostly lurk on here so it would be a good way to force to be myself a bit more social.

[Pip]

Oops - make that three and a bit months!

[hilldweller]

How far are you guys riding at the moment?

[RoadRaven]

Whoa! This thread is an EnZedGirl convention!

I won't be doing the Grape ride though it is an event I am interested in "one day"... but will any of you be coming over this way for Tour de Beautiful? Its much smaller of course, and based from Waipukarau but still a lovely ride to do with a range of distances. Its on the 25 January.

[Pip]

I haven't heard of that race, but I like the name. I'm doing the Yarrows 150km race in Taranaki on the 24th of January, so won't be there sorry!

[MillieNZ]

I never realised there were some many kiwi's on the board.......... I've been slack since returning to work and tended to lurk quickly each day for catch ups but not enough time to post........

I think we should do a team entry for the Grape ride plenty of time for training between now and then

RR - any website or anything for the Tour de Beautiful ???? tempting and that's dorkland aniversary weekend ..........

Hilldweller - where abouts are you based ???

<---------- turning the wheels up Hautepe hill

[crazycanuck]

It's nice to see the Kiwi contingent coming out of the pohutukawa trees!

[RoadRaven]

RR - any website or anything for the Tour de Beautiful ???? tempting and that's dorkland aniversary weekend ..........

I'm doing the 50, one of my sons is also doing the 50, another son is doing the 100, and my partner is going to help out with marshalling. Would be great to meet you Millie if you can make it down.

http://www.centralhawkesbay.co.nz/To...tifulCHB.shtml

The courses on this years Tour de Beautiful head south of Waipukurau and take on ocean views amongst stunning countryside.

This has been a great year for CHB Bats with the club reaching record numbers - so come along and help make this event even more powerful.

The 100km Course - $35.00

The 100km course starts at 9am from CHB College on Tavistock Road, Waipukurau along into Farm Road, Porangahau Rd, Hunters Road through to Porangahau Township, returning Middleton Rd, Farm Road and finishing at Tavistock Road, Waipukurau.

Anyone can enter if you're up for a challenge!!

The 50km Course - $35.00

The 50km course starts at 9.10am at CHB College and leads onto Porangahau Road, similarly to the 100km course, with the turn around 25kms out. Cyclists return on the same road.

The 10km Course - $5.00

This course starts at 9.15am. It is especially suited to primary school children. Parents and caregivers are welcome to ride with their children. No late entry fee.

The Women's Only Ride - $15.00

The Women's Only ride will cover approximately 25kms. This ride has a different course, taking them out on Porangahau Road, Middleton Road, Farm Road then finishing at the CHB College, Waipukurau. This ride caters for all abilities, so come along and enjoy the day.

[RoadRaven]

How far are you guys riding at the moment?

At the moment I'm doing "time on the bike" rather than aiming for kms (although I am recording those as well).

I am aiming for 8-9 hours/week in December and 10 hours/week over January.

That has equated to150-200kms per week in December (this last week I did over 9 hours and clocked up 211.73kms). I'm doing "base-training" at the moment and not racing. The Tour de Beautiful will be my first 'race' (even though its a fun ride) for 2009.


EDIT: I see this post has started a new page. Millie, the Tour de Beautiful details are at the bottom of the previous page...

[kiwi girl]

Pip
I'm still looking for Grape ride accommodation - I've sent you a PM in case (as I hope) your posting implied you know of something (If its one spare bed in whatever you have I could leave BF behind and make a girls weekend away of it)

[hilldweller]

Accommodation? Haven't even thought of that LOL but would be grateful for any suggestions.

New bike (well new second-hand bike) , complete with cracked fork , is in pieces on the living room floor while bike shop tries to sort out insurance and a replacement fork over the holiday period. And I haven't been on a bike for so long I've got no idea how far I can actually ride 5km? 20km? 30km? Definitely not 100! If I can get bike and body together in time though I'd love to meet up with other TE bods

MillieNZ - Otago

[Pip]

Hey Hilldweller, whereabouts are you based in Otago? I'm going to be down there in April - my FIL has a vineyard in Bannockburn and we're trying to time our arrival with the grape harvest. Will be taking my bike with me if you're nearby and want to ride together.

I hope you get your bike issues sorted. How frustrating.