Back-to-Back Century rides...

[Eden]

Do a few long back to back training days.

Leave early on the first day, so that you are getting to your destination fairly early.

When you get there - eat, take a shower, take a nap, get back up and eat, go to sleep (even if it is only 6 o'clock...), get up the next morning and eat some more (more than normal too)...

Get a massage at your overnight stop, if its offered.

Expect some soreness/stiffness/sluggishness at the start of the next day. It should pass once you get warmed up and going again.

Be extra careful to fuel the second day - you're reserves will already be low, so eating and drinking will be even more important.

[indysteel]

I haven't done back to back centuries, but I do the Horsey Hundred in eastern Kentucky each year. Last year I rode 110 miles on Saturday and another 70 miles on Sunday at a decent clip. Both days are pretty hilly. I also do some weeklong tours, although the mileage each day is usually in the 65-85 mile range.

With respect to training, do as many back-to-back long rides as you can.

Also, stay on top of your hydration as best you can. Try to drink more than you usually do. If you're like me, you will be beyond hungry. Eat and then eat some more. It's not the time to count calories!

Make sure you address well in advance of the ride any fit issues that you're having with your bike. Also make sure you have two pairs of good long-distance shorts and that you use (and carry during the ride for reapplication) some chamois cream. No matter how many miles you have in, your booty will probably hurt. I've had some of my only saddle sore issues after the Horsey. I find that zit cream is the best treatment for them once they have developed.

[kfergos]

I second the comments about doing long back-to-back rides -- if I'm riding two centuries back-to-back, I work up to riding two 80-mile days in a row. If you do that, you'll find Day 2 feels exactly like any other training ride. My first back-to-back ride people kept asking "How you doin'?" or "How do you feel?" on the second day, and I honestly answered, "Great!" because I'd trained so much ahead of time.

Food/everything else: I don't have much to add (eat lots, eat carbs, drink lots; same routine, really, as after any other training ride) except that napping and going to bed early on the night between is really helpful. Also bring a very comfy pair of shoes to wear on that Saturday afternoon -- the first time I did it, I only had flip-flops and my biking shoes, neither of which were good for an entire afternoon of hanging out.

[Geonz]

Yea, the main thing is to be in shape so that 100 miles isn't forever, and pace things accordingly. If winds are brutal, ignore the speedometer and slow down.

[ttaylor508]

When I did my first couple of two day double centuries, I remember feeling like there was no way I was getting back on the bike after day one. I was toast! But, surprisingly enough after some good food and a nights rest I felt super strong the next day and finished feeling great. If you have an option to go a little farther the first day than 100 miles, it is a nice mental boost to know you have less than 100 to do the second day even if it is only 10 miles or so.

As long as you train, you will be fine. The more training you get in the more enjoyable the ride will be.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Wow - thanks everybody!
This is encouraging!

I have a ride on the 25th that'll be about a month before Tulsa Tough. I just signed up for 68, but if I do that on Saturday and do another on Sunday, I'll have a good base (and bench) for the coming month. Because of our weird weather, I've done one "long" of 50 so far, but I haven't done any long back-to-backs yet. I don't consider 30's b2b as long. But... they were good training....brutal winds.. good for bike handling skills, right?

All your advise sounds great! I REALLY appreciate this support! The getting-to-bed early thing I'm sure will help. Eating lots... okay... but what do I eat? I'm talking meals off the bike (before and after/inbetween days). I assume I shouldn't just eat anything and call it good. hamburger/fries count? Should I go to Olive Garden or something? buttermilk pancakes in the am? Triple egg omlette? I know I need to make sure to get good protein after the ride and quick access fuel the morning of... nothing heavy. yes?

I started using Hammer products this season - Heet, Perpeteum, and Recoverite. I also like to take Accel gels or Sport Beans for extra fuel on the bike (for longer than 3hr rides). Maybe I should start packing PB&Js for the really long rides coming up? I'll pack extra Perpeteum in my jersey too.

I sure won't worry about counting calories on Tulsa Tough, or my long training days. Great thing about TT is that its here in my hometown and I get to go home to rest inbetween centuries. The whole event is a big festival. There'll be lots of opportunity to hang out, etc.

You guys really help me feel like this is actually do-able! Isn't that insane? LOL When I tell people about last year's century (one day), one guy asked how many days it took me, others just look at me like its crazy and I must be lying. You know.. I want to do it if for no other reason that its a great way to see your State! I've lived here most my life and I don't think I'd ever been to some of the towns I rode through on last year's century. It was a beautiful ride.

I've ridden much of the route from the second day/century of TT. I did the 100K route and the 100M leg goes over much of my Wednesday Night Ride route (except backwards - which is a b*tch...even harder). So.. now I already know the terrain of both days. Nothing will be a surprise or scary. Well.. I take that back. There is one hill on day 2 which pitches up to 15%..not sure how long it is , but it sure seemed to go on forever. Maybe avg grade of 8.. I've done it before though so I know I can do it again. I just don't have to like it. LOL

[indysteel]

I think it's completely doable.

As for what foods to eat, I would focus on getting a good mix of carbs and protein, as well as a little fat. Try to get something into your system immediately after the ride ends on that first day. Chocolate milk is my go to post-ride "meal," but anything with a mix of carbs and protein will work, e.g., a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Pair it with a 20 plus ounces of water. Eat a bit of salt, too, especially if it's hot out. Then eat a filling dinner.

During the ride, eat what sits well with you. e.g., Simple carbs, bananas, trail mix (or anything with a bit of salt). I use a top tube bag for long rides and bring with me something cut up in small bites (Payday candy bars are my snack of choice) that I can easily graze on in between rest stops. For breakfast on either day, again go for things that your stomach easily tolerates. I usually stick to fruit, yogurt and oatmeal. Pancakes, toast, and the like will do to. My stomach doesn't react as well to lots of protein before or during a ride, but every person is different.

From my experience, as long as I eat filling meals and at regular intervals on the bike, I have enough fuel. It's dehydration that will get to me first. So my advice is to drink, drink, and then drink some more.

Good luck and be sure to give us a full report after the ride.

[kfergos]

All your advise sounds great! I REALLY appreciate this support! The getting-to-bed early thing I'm sure will help. Eating lots... okay... but what do I eat? I'm talking meals off the bike (before and after/inbetween days). I assume I shouldn't just eat anything and call it good. hamburger/fries count? Should I go to Olive Garden or something? buttermilk pancakes in the am? Triple egg omlette? I know I need to make sure to get good protein after the ride and quick access fuel the morning of... nothing heavy. yes?

I have a couple tried-and-true pre-bike meals I tend to eat: Oatmeal and oatmeal pancakes. The recipes are here. I'll eat these 30 minutes to 1 hour before riding, and they'll keep me kicking for a long time. For on-bike food, I carry only regular water and drink it every 15 minutes or so if I remember; I also carry Luna or Clif bars and eat one every 15 to 25 miles and on rides over about 65 miles I carry a banana and eat that, too. I also recommend, if you can stand them, Fig Newtons for good instant on-bike energy.

The night before a big ride I'll try to eat pasta or potatoes, but without too much grease or fat. Afterwards I focus on getting protein in any form within about 20 minutes of getting off my bike -- I really like a toasted bagel sandwich with lots of sliced deli turkey, cheese, cream cheese, pickles, and a good serving of spinach (it's a very thick sandwich by the end, but oh so good). Some people also drink chocolate milk or have ice cream right off the bike. I don't know how much you need fancy, expensive energy/protein foods; they'll certainly work, but my sense is that eating normal foods in a conscientious way will get you the same benefit for cheaper (I say that, but Luna and Clif bars are expensive... I'm experimenting with different oatmeal cookie recipes to try to find a good replacement).

Anyway, those are some of my specific food suggestions. Listen to your body, but remember right off a long ride you'll probably crave fast food or something really unhealthy, and it's important to focus on getting protein and carbs without a ton of fat right then.