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

[azfiddle]

Hi Mel,

I did my first century ride, El Tour de Tucson (111 miles) in November. My longest ride prior to that was about 75 miles, however there was only about half as much climbing as your ride will have. It took me a little over 8 hours, including all the rest stops.

I was riding about 300-400 miles / month during July-September, did more than 500 in October, and cut back during the last 3 weeks before the El tour.


If you are able to keep up your training this month and you can complete a ride of 75-85 miles, with at least 2/3 of the climbing, you can probably do it. If you are able to ride with others, and get the advantage of drafting for part of the way you will also spend less energy than when you are riding alone.


OH! the Ring of Kerry- I would LOVE to ride there! I think you should train for this as though you are sure you will do it, and just assess it one more time before the deadline.

On my one trip to Ireland (mainly for music), I was in Dingle for a day, rented a bike and rode around Slea Head. It was amazing. And then I borrowed a folding bike from my friends when I was in Clare and rode from their house in Kilshanny to Doolin and another day up past Kilfenora.

The grades look they are mainly 2-4%, which is a steady climb but not that is not super steep. You can take a rest, ride, and take a rest again if you need to.

Keep us posted!

[ny biker]

I tend to agree that if you can work up to 75-85 miles, you can probably do this ride. And if you end up not finishing it, it will probably still be one of the longest rides you've ever done, and good experience to help you prepare for the next thing you sign up for.

My friend hasn't actually done the Ring of Kerry, but she has heard that there are no major climbs and she said she'd be surprised if there was >2000m of climbing overall. She's also heard that people who live along the route are out offering food to the riders. I've done a few rides where people offered food, drinks and moral support along the road, and it's always a great pick-me-up.

[smittykitty]

In the words of Nike "Just Do It", then my husband said on recent 74 miler (longest ride to date) "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" (guess I'm stronger). And then I tell myself "if it is to be, its up to me". I also agree very much with John Lennon.

I don't mean to make light of your concerns. I've been dealing with that a lot myself. I'm just finally able to say "I'm riding the two-day Seattle to Portland (200 miles) ride in mid July. Until the 74 miler a couple weeks ago, I was saying I was "signed up" for the STP. Now I actually feel like there is a possibility I could actually do something that incredible! Yes, it will be painful, incredible hard and exhausting. It will be the toughest thing I've ever done both mentally and physically. I know what you mean, finishing is a great accomplishment. But I guess if we don't then we can say "this time it wasn't meant to be"

You have gotten lots of great advice from the ladies who know a WHOLE lot more about biking, so listen to them. Just don't discount yourself too soon! I think you can do this.

Oh and one last quote "I haven't met a hill I can't walk up yet". Unfortunately I have to use that one every now and again. So if you have to walk a while, that's ok too.

Good luck and continue to enjoy the training time. You have the right attitude. Ride for the fun of it. Oh, and yes. Take the Map My Ride route if it has less climbing

[Mel.b]

So i got out yesterday and compeleted a 120km (75mile) solo cycle. I had 6hrs 11min of moving time and just under 9 hours in total(is going to make the ROK a long long day) Lots of photo stops in the first 40km. I did the second 80km in 4hrs 13min moving with another 1hr 15min for stops.

Stops at 40km, 70km, 100km and 107km. I needed the stop at the 100km point as my right foot under the cleat was starting to feel like it burning. A 10min rest off the bike and it was fine. I found the last 20km hard going however even though it was pretty flat. The thought of having to do another 60km and having hills in that part is scary, however everyone who has done it tells me it will be fine and groupthink will bring you around

There was only 650m (2100feet) of climbing and that was all pretty much in the first 60km (37miles). Before I did the route I thought there was 1000m so I'm a bit dissapointed there wasnt as much as I thought. I made it up all the hills, but had to stop at the top of two short steep sections. I made it to the top though which was good I've been trying to clarify the amount of climbing on the Ring of Kerry and a couple of people who have done it have said between 1200 - 1500m (3900 - 5000ft).

Only problem now is the side of my left index finger that is closest to the thumb is still numb. I think I am compensating for the reduced range of movement in my left elbow that i fractured so I am going to have to get my fit or how i hold the handlebars looked at.

[maillotpois]

Sounds like a beautiful ride!

On the elevation thing - I have found Ride With GPS to be wildly inconsistent and inaccurate in gauging elevation gain. I looked on Strava, where cyclists record rides using their GPS (much more accurate), but could not find anyone having listed the ride, or anything in that vicinity. But my conclusion would be that RWGPS is high. (I pre-rode the middle section of a 1000k I am working on for my club and got 10,000 feet with my GPS where RWGPS was saying 19,000 feet.)

On the numbness thing - do get the fit checked out. I fractured my scapula several years ago and that hand is much more likely to stay numb after long rides. I think there may be some underlying nerve damage or frailty in there because of the fracture, so that may be an issue for you. But fit (and body position on the bike) is your first line of defense.

And if you can do 75 you absolutely unquestioningly can do 110.

[Mel.b]

Thanks for the vote of confidence maillotopois My finger is starting to get the feeling back - feels like it's been at the dentist and I will definitely be following up with my bike fitter.

It was a beautiful ride, especially the first half. Here are some photos I took along the way...

Not taken yesterday but on the same route, taken before I broke my elbow




These are all from yesterday further along the road than the two above














and finally, the pub I stopped at for my second stop!

[maillotpois]

Beautiful!!! We just had to cancel a trip to Ireland and Scotland planned for next month, so it's a little bittersweet to see your great photos.

Keep them coming, though.