Brevet this October - insane idea?

[Catrin]

Given that I've ridden in the areas that Catrin is speaking of in Southern Indiana, I'd add that, while there are exceptions, few of the hills are rollers such that you can use momentum to get up them.....

Catrin, check CIBA's calendar, along with the Bloomington Bicycle Club and the Bloomington Parks Department. The Parks Department offers a century (and shorter routes) called the Hoosier Hills Challenge the first weekend in October (I think) that hits many of the challenging climbs in Brown County. Depending on which brevet you set your sights on, that ride might be the best yardstick to use to see if you're ready. Beyond that, CIBA offers 5 or 6 weekend rides plus some GT rides that are hilly, some being harder and hillier than others. They're CIBA's most popular rides; I recommend them highly.

I hadn't thought on checking in Bloomington, that is a good idea! I have already picked some of the CIBA southern rides to check out. I will also check out the Hoosier Hills Challenge, that might be a really good idea - especially if I decide to do the November brevet in Nashville, TN rather than October in Ohio. Either way it would likely be a good idea.

I liked what Indy noted - that you might work to get yourself up to a certain mileage level and spend some time getting used to that mileage before ramping up again........So you might want to build up to the 60 - 70 mile level and spend 3 weeks to a month riding at that distance just to get used to it before you increase again.

I have 4 months total to prepare in, but it makes sense to do this in some way. I might not be able to spend an entire month - ideally I would like to be reach a century by October 1 and then spend the next almost 3 weeks just staying with it/getting comfy with it for the next 16 days. I think this is where it will be important to listen to my body, carefully.

I am also thinking this might be a good time to finally get that book on nutrition for cyclists that I have seen recommended elsewhere on this forum. It is probably time to start eating to sustain endurance rather than to target weight loss - currently I am only on a 1500 calorie "budget" and it is probably about time to change that. I have been known to go as high as 1700 calories on heavy days - but the definition of a "heavy day" is likely about to change

[chicagogal]

I think this sounds like a fantastic goal!!! It is going to be HARD, but it should also be FUN!!

My guess is that nutrition is going to one of your bigger challenges, so the book you mentioned might be a good idea, although I haven't read it. However, keep in mind that every body is different and therefore, nutrition needs differ very much from person to person. Also, as you train more and more, you will probably find your own nutrition needs changing a lot. So, you will have to read your body very carefully to determine what it needs.

Carry more food with you than you think you will need, and eat BEFORE you get hungry. Also try different sports drinks. You will probably need a good amount of electrolytes, but everyone has a different tolerance for sports drinks, so find one that doesn't upset your stomach. Another thing you could try are cliff shot blocks. I always bring them on all my rides and can do fine with plain water and shot blocks for electrolytes.

Over time, you will build a pretty strong and efficient aerobic engine. That efficiency will manifest in your ability to utilize fuel (carbs) well. However, before you get to that point (and even after) you need to be hyper-aware of how you are feeling so you don't bonk. It is NOT FUN to run out of gas miles from home!

Good luck with your training and keep us posted! I am going to live vicariously through you because I am bailing on my friends' double century next week due to having been more focused on intensity this season and so haven't had time to train for that distance :-(

[Catrin]

I think this sounds like a fantastic goal!!! It is going to be HARD, but it should also be FUN!!............ Also, as you train more and more, you will probably find your own nutrition needs changing a lot. So, you will have to read your body very carefully to determine what it needs.....
Over time, you will build a pretty strong and efficient aerobic engine. That efficiency will manifest in your ability to utilize fuel (carbs) well. However, before you get to that point (and even after) you need to be hyper-aware of how you are feeling so you don't bonk. It is NOT FUN to run out of gas miles from home!

Good luck with your training and keep us posted! I am going to live vicariously through you because I am bailing on my friends' double century next week due to having been more focused on intensity this season and so haven't had time to train for that distance :-(

My trainer put it best I think - this is my adventure, and the training will be as much of an adventure as the actual brevet itself. In my younger years I thrived on adventures of assorted kinds but have not had a good one in years. I seem to be aging backwards in more than one way through cycling