Do you think I can do a 45-mile ride in a month?

[gabriellesca]

Just curious what you guys think - since so many of you ride so often. I ride each weekend - sometimes once, sometimes twice - usually somewhere between 15 and 18 miles. I always feel great at the end - could go longer - ride a route that has some good hills (for me). I did a century in 2008 - but haven't ridden more than 20 miles at one time since then. But I've got the experience and gear.

I'd like to sign up for a 45-mile ride in Newport on September 19th. Would this be super tough for me to do? I would have to push myself over the next 3 weeks to get my mileage up there ... but I'd love to do it. They have a 25-mile option which I know I could do now. But I'd love to push it -

what do you all think?

[ny biker]

What's the downside if you try and find it's too much for you?

There really is none. Just go for it.

[gabriellesca]

Good point ....... I'm not sure if this has a SAG or not - but that's actually a great point. Its in Newport - so even if there is no SAG I can bring money for a cab and not worry too much!

I'm also just tempted to do the 25 - so I don't have to increase training - and just go and have fun with it! But somehow 25 feels so whimpy and I like the idea of a bigger challenge!

[redrhodie]

You'll be fine! I know the roads, a few hills, but nothing to worry about. When I did the NBW 45 mile route (which is probably the same route as this ride), most people did the 25. You can decide when you get to the turn around. Wind will probably be a factor in that decision. If there's not much, it will be a piece of cake.

[gabriellesca]

Thanks Red - yea its the 2nd Annual Tour of Newport - I can't get the cue off the website but this is their description:

The 25 mile Test Yourself ride continues along Purgatory Chasm , First and Second beaches and into the lavishly landscaped countryside. Our 45 mile ride Around Aquidneck island covers the same scenic roads as the 25 mile ride but then brings you to the Sakonett River Bridge as well as the Mount Hope Bridge, before returning on Middle Highway, where you are exposed to water views of the Narragansett Bay and inner harbor views.

A friend of mine did a run down there in the pouring rain with the wind - I'd just bail if the rain happened that day and lose the $25 fee. And even if its not the same course I probably could opt out and do the 25. Its the same price for both distances.

Thanks guys - I'm thinking of diving in and doing it. I said I wanted to do a 50 or metric century - maybe this will push me to get another ride in before the end of the season! Thanks!

[ame]

I think you can! What's the worst that can happen? If you feel you can't at mile 15, turn around. How do you feel after your 20 mi rides? If you are "done", then maybe not, but if you are feeling great then I don't see why not. Granted, your age and general fitness level as well as your butt are all deciding factors, but I went from 20 miles one week to doing 40 mile rides in less than a month and feeling fine. It was all about breaking in my butt, staying well hydrated, and taking short breaks to stretch when I need to. However, I play mind games with myself - if I'm going on a 60 mi ride, I tell myself I am going on 3 20 mi rides, and I stop at 20 for a couple minutes and then go on another 20 mi ride. It probably shouldn't work, but it does.

[gabriellesca]

Yea - my age and my WEIGHT (hello) aren't on my side so much. But I signed up and I'm pumped! Once I registered it gave me more details and they do have a SAG so if I can't make it I can always wait for the SAG - they have stops with food/water! So BRING IT ON! I'm pumped. Now to get myself to stay on my bike this week for 20+ miles - I usually don't have the patience for it but now that I have something to work towards I'm hoping I'll be more into it! Thinking I can do 20 this weekend - 25 the next - and 30 the week after. I'll spin a few times each week (hard for me to ride on the road during the week because of where I live - I drive to ride) - and push my time on the spin bike and the intensity!

WAHOOOO!

[redrhodie]

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/145763

I found the route, and it is basically the same as the one I've done, although there were some detours due to construction when I did it. I think I see one mistake on the cue sheet, at mile 18.8, it should be a left turn onto rte 138. I hope they'll have it arrowed correctly.

You're going to do great. I may come out if I'm around. I'd like to ride the northern section, which I never do if I'm riding alone.

[gabriellesca]

Thanks - this is great - their cue doesn't link so I can't download it! Is it a tough/hilly ride?

[gabriellesca]

Brings up the whole other issue of the fact that I have never had to follow a cue sheet on my own (thanks to team in training) - so I'm hoping its well arrowed!

ETA - WOW - full of turns - ay? When I did Mad River Valley Century there were like 4 turns in the whole ride. This might slip me up - I'll have to pay super attention. Though - don't most rides arrow the turns for you? Also wondering ...... there are some steep climbs in there ...... I have no idea how steep 301 ft. is ... anyone? (Sorry - I've never really done that sort of thing - gradients, %s, etc.) Is 301 ft. a steep climb - or even more scary - a very steep decent?

[redrhodie]

Yes, there are lots of turns on this ride! I'm sure they'll have good arrows to follow. This sounds like a well organized event. The ride I did was not, it was just one of those weekend club rides where everyone is welcome, there's no food or SAG, and you get lost. I guess you get what you pay for.

edit, I think the steepest climb is maybe 7%. There are a couple of short and steep, and one long one around mile 30, but nothing is that bad. In fact, the one that looks like a big hill starting at around mile 11 is a long, low grade (not hard). Do you have a triple or a compact double?

[redrhodie]

Also, that 300 ft gain is over a distance of around 10 miles. You don't need to worry.

[gabriellesca]

Okay Red - I'm so not techie enough that I don't even know what that question refers to? LOL!!! Which really isn't good - learning to ride with Team in Training was supposed to teach me all about my bike, how to fix it, etc. but they only taught me how to shift gears and ask for help!

If its how many rings I have on my bike - I know I have three. Its a Trek 1.2 (or something) WSD from 2008. But I ALWAYS ride in my middle ring - never go big or small. On Mad River my coach would always yell back at me when we were descending 'Big Ring Gab' - and I would shift to it - but the truth is - shifting between the rings has never been very fluid and easy and I tend to get intimidated enough on my solo rides that I'm worried about dropping my chain. So I never ever shift out of my middle ring. Which is probably really stupid because I could be more comfortable and gain more speed if I did. I really need to learn to use those other gears - I'm limiting myself to the few on the middle ring.

Lately I've really be getting out of the saddle on hills - and enjoy that - but again, on a long one I just sort of go super slow - like 6mph - and push up it. I should practice more - just not familiar enough with it.

Thanks so much - this has helped ease my mind a bit. Good to know that these climbs aren't that bad. Really its coming down I'm more frightened of since I can alway walk my bike up! Ooops - did I just write that!

THANK YOU THANK YOU! You guys on this board always get me excited to ride!

[redrhodie]

I'm certain you'll be fine. There aren't any scary descents. It's really pretty, too. Much of the route is right by the water.

I think you may need your little ring, though, for one or 2 of the hills, or if it's especially windy. You definitely wouldn't need to walk up anything if you use it.

If you drop your chain when shifting, you may need to have your shifter cable adjusted at the LBS. It might be stretched.

[bcipam]

I have learned this after many years of riding... if I think I can do something, I can do it. Any physical activity is 90% mental. You have done a century - 45 miles is nothing! So you get sore and tired, so what. That's the "fun" of doing an special event ride. I did 70 miles last weekend after not doing more than 30 - 40 one day a week. I was tired, it wasn't easy (especially since that included 4500' of climbing!) but I put my mind to it and just got it done. Sounds like a cool ride - go have fun!