HELP!!! Training for a HUGE ride

[green]

Are you using clipless pedals? They make a huge difference because you can pull up as well as push down.

Don't kill yourself trying to go too fast, this is supposed to be fun.

Yes, we do have clipless pedals, and they do help so much.

And if you train with a team they should be aware of your injury and find a sweep and/or other riders your pace to ride with you. I don't know what team or event you are on but that does not sound caring and supportive to me.

We are actually split up into groups based on experience. I can keep up with the group I'm in right now, but it's just that whenever we hit those hills, I slow right down (like 6 mph slow...).

Thanks for all the advice and support!

One more question: My therapist said that it might be easier on my knee if I got a third chainring. Right now, our bike has a compact 50/34T. Would a third really make a whole lot of a difference?

[Biciclista]

did you really say "Our bike?"

yes, a 3rd chainring would help, or different gears anyway. But in the end, it's still your knee that is having to bear your weight up the hill, I don't care HOW big that chainring is.

A lot of people change chain rings to help them climb. See your LBS for that one.

[green]

did you really say "Our bike?"

Haha, yes, I just realized I did. I was just referring to me along with the rest of my team, since we all have the same bikes.

I'm impressed you can do 6mph. Sometimes all I can manage is 2 mph. I have had people passing by wonder how I could keep my balance going that slow.

But seriously, please listen to your body and PT. It takes building up endurance to spin up the hills. Please don't push yourself so hard that you kill your knees. I have a couple of friends who have had to have knee surgery already, and they're not even 35 yet. While they have resumed some of their activities, they regret not taking better care of their knees to start with.

Good luck, Green! Just do your best. You have already accomplished so much. I didn't do half of what you have already done my first year, but it was more than I had ever done previously, so I'm still very proud of what I was able to do then. You should be proud of what you've done too. I'll be cheering you on and looking forward to hear your stories about your future accomplishments.

Welcome to TE BTW!

~sgtiger

Thank you for the encouragement and welcome!

And, actually, I have gone about 3 mph up steep inclines. I seem to do a little better on hills, though.

Forgive me if I missed it, but what is the distance and elevation gain of your "HUGE" ride? Also, when is the ride?

It's a charity ride for cancer from Texas to Anchorage, Alaska. I know that sounds , but all of the past teams have made it, including people who had never been on road bikes before. There's two routes, and I'm doing the one that would go through the Rockies. I've heard that the Sierra/Coastal route has more steep uphills than Rockies does, though.

Our bike has a Shimano 10-Speed Cassette, 11-25T. I have no idea what that means...

And from what our fitness directors have been saying, they are thinking about having a 10-hour time limit on the century test. And it'll be through the Texas hill country.

The ride doesn't start until June 6th, which is kind of weird, since we're having the century test this early when we still technically have more than a month left before we leave. And it's also a little weird to have a hilly century test when the first weeks on the actual ride are pretty flat according to past riders... But I guess they just want us to be prepared.

I went on a hilly 23-mile ride the other day, and I was feeling fine. Just a little sore in the shoulders and back.

[Brandy]

It's a charity ride for cancer from Texas to Anchorage, Alaska. I know that sounds , but all of the past teams have made it, including people who had never been on road bikes before. There's two routes, and I'm doing the one that would go through the Rockies. I've heard that the Sierra/Coastal route has more steep uphills than Rockies does, though.

Our bike has a Shimano 10-Speed Cassette, 11-25T. I have no idea what that means...

And from what our fitness directors have been saying, they are thinking about having a 10-hour time limit on the century test. And it'll be through the Texas hill country.

Okay...that qualifies as huge.

As for your cassette...get yourself a 12-28. Call up your local bike shop, tell them what components you have and that you need either a 27 or 28. SRAM also makes a 11-28. That will make a good difference in your ability to spin a higher cadence and not be mashing up the hills. With the compact crank (what you have) I've never felt the need for more bailout gears in that combination.

My guess is that they want to see where you're at NOW, a month ahead of time so they can help you work on your weaknesses. It wouldn't make much sense to find out a week before you leave that you aren't capable of making the time cutoffs.

Honestly...even 10 hours is generous for a century, I think you will be fine. Keep your stops short, this is where people often make mistakes in distance riding. Finish your bottles as you get into your stops so you can refill and have two fresh bottles. Before your rest stops, have a plan. Pee, refill, eat and stretch if needed, back on the bike. Sitting down on these longer rides, filling up on rest stop food, yacking away with people...all fun things...have you out there and exposed to the elements longer than is necessary. The less time you're off the bike, the less time you're out there overall and the sooner (on the actual HUGE ride) you can start your recovery, which will be key to your overall success.

There are some tips on Ultradistance Riding here... http://epictrain.com/ultradistance.html

You might want to look into some compression tights (Skins, 2XU and Zoot make them) for the actual ride, changing into them each night after you finish your ride and sleeping in them will really aid in recovery.

Congratulations on taking on this HUGE challenge. I'm totally envious!

[BikeDutchess]

It's a charity ride for cancer from Texas to Anchorage, Alaska. I know that sounds , but all of the past teams have made it, including people who had never been on road bikes before. There's two routes, and I'm doing the one that would go through the Rockies.

I am very impressed that you're tackling this big challenge, good for you! Is there a blog or other website where we'll be able to track your progress & cheer you on?

[Trek420]

green,

is it this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4pFbSaLyfU

[Skierchickie]

Wow! Awesome! This could actually deserve the forbidden "epic" label! I'm veryveryvery jealous.

[maillotpois]

Wow - that is an amazing ride!! You got some great tips here. Pay attention to nutrition (experiment in your training to see what works for you during your long rides) and above all - try to have FUN!!

[green]

Thanks for all the tips, Brandy! That website is really useful.

green,

is it this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4pFbSaLyfU

It sure is! Pretty awesome, isn't it? Here's another one that basically sums up the whole summer's ride:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f__vLDEV6ag

I am very impressed that you're tackling this big challenge, good for you! Is there a blog or other website where we'll be able to track your progress & cheer you on?

Aw, thanks. The site is www.texas4000.org, and my profile and blog is http://www.texas4000.org/user/profile/10251

Now everyone knows who I am...

[Trek420]

whenever we hit those hills, I slow right down (like 6 mph slow...).

6 mph is not slow up a hill, depending on the hill. Some hills "we"* are happy to stay upright and not fall over backwards

*we being me and my tapeworm

[Karma007]

6 mph is not slow up a hill, depending on the hill. Some hills "we"* are happy to stay upright and not fall over backwards

*we being me and my tapeworm

+1. And sometimes a rider I know (okay, me) has had to get off the bike mid hill which stinks trying to restart, but if ya gotta, ya gotta...

[sgtiger]

I'm impressed you can do 6mph. Sometimes all I can manage is 2 mph. I have had people passing by wonder how I could keep my balance going that slow.

But seriously, please listen to your body and PT. It takes building up endurance to spin up the hills. Please don't push yourself so hard that you kill your knees. I have a couple of friends who have had to have knee surgery already, and they're not even 35 yet. While they have resumed some of their activities, they regret not taking better care of their knees to start with.

Good luck, Green! Just do your best. You have already accomplished so much. I didn't do half of what you have already done my first year, but it was more than I had ever done previously, so I'm still very proud of what I was able to do then. You should be proud of what you've done too. I'll be cheering you on and looking forward to hear your stories about your future accomplishments.

Welcome to TE BTW!

~sgtiger

[ny biker]

I've been doing long rides for almost 10 years and I still drop to 4-5 mph going up hill.

I was built for endurance, not speed.

[Trek420]

+1. And sometimes a rider I know (okay, me) has had to get off the bike mid hill which stinks trying to restart, but if ya gotta, ya gotta...

"all self-propelled forward motion counts"

[TrekTheKaty]

I wouldn't take a "test" (really?!) with any injuries.

And if I can make a hill without stopping (what Trek 420 said.......), I'm good! My DH is known to take naps at the top of hills, while waiting for me