Need Advice

[Crankin]

Personally, I agree with Emily. I have done 3 tours with Trek Travel (that's who you mentioned in another post), and even on the intermediate tours, there was a wide range of speed. You don't have to ride together as a group on a tour. You can ride alone, or with other like minded people. While you do need to be able to ride 60 miles a day for 5 days, I would consider the level of trip, and the expectations for this. I am not a data geek; I used a HR monitor when I first started riding and all I found out was my HR is always higher than expected. I do better using RPE. Your coach needs to understand you are a recreational rider, you are not competing. If he is good, he will make a plan for you, based on this and the type of tour you are taking.
I am about to do a trip in northern Spain. I have barely trained or ridden the # of miles I usually have at this time of the year, for a couple of reasons. But, I know I can do it... I will suffer a bit, but it's a tour. I am there to see stuff. I've done enough of these trips to know that you miss a lot, if you only concentrate on the riding.

[rebeccaC]

A power meter isn't necessary. It does give you more data to use in setting goals in the training for your ride though….since you’ve gotten a coach is a training plan being worked out? The data from a power meter can show things (especially weaknesses) that can help in the zone training that builds strength/endurance. It may just be what the coach likes to have to work out a plan, which is what a good cycling coach would do. I'd talk about it with the coach.

Sometimes a well thought out training plan can give more motivation and self-challenge (regardless of age) too but as Emily wrote you can also just do rides that mimic the type of riding on the tour. Your coach should be able to guide you into a type of work-rest ratio that just works for that too. Does the tour have elevation maps of each days ride you can get?....or even daily route maps that you can use mapmyride to get elevations.


Hoping whatever kind of training you do leads to a great time on the tour!!!!!....which tour?

[smilingcat]

I've ridden many 100 milers and many over that distance in a day. Some back to back, others were "fun rides". And I've never owned a power meter or power tap yet I was on par with a male co-worker who was younger and used powertap for his training.

If you want to absolutely hit your maximum performance, then it might be worth it. But personally, I would have to agree with Emily. Start riding a terrain (up and down the hills) that is similar to the tour ride. At our age, ahem I'm up there too..., rest day is extremely important! When young you could over do it and bounce back in a day or two but when we get older, we just don't bounce back so quick. o listen carefully to your body. There are days when you just don't want to ride. It's okay to break from a training schedule. Your body may be telling you that it needs a break.

One thing people forget is your diet. Eat a really healthy balanced diet. I still don't drink typical carbonated drink e.g. CocaCola, instead drink OJ, fruit juice, lots of plain WATER. OKay so I'll admit I drink too much Chai Latte and home made ginger beer naturally carbonated with plain old sugar.

suggest you look into some high end sport drink NO GATORADE and the like but a real sport drink or mix. Don't expect to lose weight though...

Yesterday's menu:
brekkie: miso soup with tofu and scallion; chai latte
Lunch: vegetable stir fry; tea
din din: braised burdock root with carrots with bit of meat (gobo kinpira). lots of water

Drank lots of water and unsweetened tea.

[Crankin]

Yes, nutrition is important and it took me years to figure certain aspects of that out. What I know is that when I am doing the kind of riding a tour requires, I am ravenous and, while I do eat healthily, I eat a lot more, and I am often adding in snacks and desserts. The only sports mix I use is Skratch, and Nuun tabs for days a little less intense. Food on rides is either a Lara Bar or real food. And Shot Blocks when I am about to lose it!
I am 63 and I do need more rest days. I have to be careful about other sports and how they will affect my legs, if I have a lot of cycling coming up. I stretch twice a day and use the foam roller daily. And getting enough sleep, too. I always have problems the first few days of a tour, in that we get there ahead, I am eating and drinking like I am on vacation, then hard riding, often in hot weather, a bad combo for me. You would think I would have learned, but each one of those things by itself isn't a problem, and I do tend to have a low threshold for stomach distress, heat, and really intense endurance efforts, when combined. So, as we leave tonight for an 8 day tour in Spain, I am hoping I can control myself. It's not going to be hot, so that will make a difference.

[CAS]

Thank you, everyone, I greatly appreciate everyone's advice. The coach I have, is wonderful--although, I do have to remind him that I am not one of his junior riders preparing for a race on occasion. He is having me build my fitness this month, and then come July, he will concentrate on creating a schedule that will work with my life and goals. After reading everyone's comments, I don't see the sense in purchasing a power meter. Although, I do understand what Rebecca wrote as far as weaknesses.

@Crankin,it is Trek Travel that I will be going with, and I am looking forward to it. I plan on doing the New Mexico tour ((it's a beautiful state), and actually will be more focused on the riding (but will take a small chunk of time for sightseeing).

[Crankin]

Sightseeing is built into the trips. But, I am done just "trying to get done" with the miles every day on this tour. We have often skipped places to see along the way, because I get anxious about finishing. A lot of Trek Travel trips have cultural stuff after the riding is done for the day and I recommend doing it. And you can't ignore the food, it's always fabulous, along with the scenery.

[rebeccaC]

He is having me build my fitness this month, and then come July, he will concentrate on creating a schedule that will work with my life and goals.

that sounds like a great way to go!!!!!!!.....especially with good positive communication both ways..

[emily_in_nc]

Your tour sounds fabulous, CAS. New Mexico is one of my favorite states. It seems to be overlooked a lot, but the scenery is spectacular! The only places I've ever ridden there is on trails in Albuquerque (paved) and Santa Fe (unpaved, rode our mountain bikes), but I have wonderful memories. Hope you'll post more about your tour once you've done it!