110mile charity cycle in 4 weeks time...can i manage it?

[indysteel]

At what point do you need to decide whether to do it? I see no harm in pushing through the next four weeks to see what kind of training you can get under your belt and then decide from there on whether you feel strong enough to give it a go. Are there any shorter options the day of the ride? Anybody that can pick you up off the course if you start to really suffer?

Based on the fact that you don't have a long history of bike riding already under your belt, I think it's going to be a hard event on you even if you get some good training in over the next four weeks. You just don't have much of a cycling base as it is. You also haven't already experienced the learning curve that many of us have gone through in figuring out how to hydrate and fuel for long rides--especially during warmer summer months. So, I have to say that I think you're at a disadvantage that goes beyond just how many miles you've ridden thus for this year.

But no one can make this call but you. How much are you prepared to just gut it out? Are you fairly disciplined as it is when it comes to eating and drinking on the bike, or have you gotten into a deficit situation in the past? How fussy in your stomach? Is your elbow causing any further discomfort? Are you totally comfortable on your bike or are their any lingering fit issues? Any other physical issues?

One last thing I'd note, I think your estimate of 9-10 hours is pretty optimistic. You will likely spend more time at rest stops than you're accounting for and you may not be able to maintain your regular pace over 110 miles. At a 12 mph average, you're already looking at 9.16 hours on the bike. Dollars to donuts you'll spend more than 50 minutes at rest stops over 110 miles, especially if the crowd is that big. That's just based on my own experience. I have done long rides and spent minimal time at rest stops, but it takes a lot of discipline, and if you're feeling tired and dragging at all as the ride goes on or are spent from climbing, my guess is that you won't be in the mood to rush.

[Mel.b]

Thanks Indy for the well thought out reply, i really appreciate it. I think my pull out point before hand will be in the week before the event - it is just the accomodation i would need to check as to when i have to cancel before so i don't get charged. I've already said that if it is raining or blowing a gale i'm mot doing it! My 50 mile ride last week was in the rain and it was no fun there is no shorter route for this cycle and i will be going down by myself so i won't have my own support to rescue me although i presume there will be a broom wagon!

That is a good point about fueling while on the bike and something i need more practice and experience with. Saying that i haven't run into problems yet. My first 50mile cycle was in in 80f sunny weather, which is just about unheard of in Ireland where i live.

My elbow hasn't caused any major problems since i've been back on the bike although the rotation isn't as good which means i'm not comfortable with my hands in the centre of the handlebars which is a disadvatage for climbing. In terms of fit I'm waiting for a shorter stem and am just breaking in a new saddle. I was also getting a numb tip of my pinky finger which we determined was due to the way i was holding the handlebars causing compression of the nerve. I need to rotate my wrists out more which is not natural or comfortable yet, however on the 2nd 50mile cycle i made sure i was doing this as much as possible and i didn't experience any significant numbness.

The 9-10 hurs was excluding the rest stops, but i agree it is probably still optimistic. The sense of acheivement in completing it this year will be so much more though than giving myself another 12 months and doing it next year. However at the same time i don't want to suffer and be miserable because this is meant to be fun for me.

You've given me a lot to think about, thanks