Century Ride - Tips/Tricks

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Replies

  • runnermom419
    runnermom419 Posts: 366 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    runnermom419 wrote: »
    Alright, give it to me straight and tell me if I'm pathetic for wanting to try this or if I have a shot.

    A goal of mine this year is to ride a century ride - 100 miles. However, I'm only currently on the bike 1 hour a few times a week at spin class. The ride I'd like to shoot for is a little over 2 months away. Farthest I've ever gone is 65 miles, but that was almost 2 years ago. Am I setting myself up for failure? Can I do it? Any tips for training (besides getting on the dang bike?)

    How's it going? :) Have you been for a ride outside yet?

    I set my bike up on the trainer yesterday (was storming) and rode for 30 minutes

    So, I took a hard look at 1. where I'm at. 2. where I'd like to be at and 3. if there were any other rides further out. There is actually several later this summer that I think would be a better target than 8 weeks. This will also be perfect since my husband is going to be marathon training this year. I can offer bike support for him while getting miles in.

    I'd rather not turn myself off completely to cycling. So, realigning my goals. The year is still young.
  • garystrickland357
    garystrickland357 Posts: 598 Member
    @runnermom419 Being honest with yourself is admirable. Since you are a runner you likely know what it's like to run a race when you are prepared vs. unprepared (we've all done it). Some folks might prepare for a marathon in 8 weeks, for others it is not enough time. Cycling is the same. You can definitely be ready by summer - and you'll enjoy both the training and the event.

    Good luck and keep us posted. There are a lot of folks here that enjoy talking about cycling.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    runnermom419 wrote: »
    Machka9 wrote: »
    runnermom419 wrote: »
    Alright, give it to me straight and tell me if I'm pathetic for wanting to try this or if I have a shot.

    A goal of mine this year is to ride a century ride - 100 miles. However, I'm only currently on the bike 1 hour a few times a week at spin class. The ride I'd like to shoot for is a little over 2 months away. Farthest I've ever gone is 65 miles, but that was almost 2 years ago. Am I setting myself up for failure? Can I do it? Any tips for training (besides getting on the dang bike?)

    How's it going? :) Have you been for a ride outside yet?

    I set my bike up on the trainer yesterday (was storming) and rode for 30 minutes

    So, I took a hard look at 1. where I'm at. 2. where I'd like to be at and 3. if there were any other rides further out. There is actually several later this summer that I think would be a better target than 8 weeks. This will also be perfect since my husband is going to be marathon training this year. I can offer bike support for him while getting miles in.

    I'd rather not turn myself off completely to cycling. So, realigning my goals. The year is still young.

    This makes a lot of sense. Many group ride events in my area offer multiple distance options like 30, 60, and 100, so that would be a great way to work your way up.
  • johngsprague
    johngsprague Posts: 22 Member
    Runnermom, you've got this. Here's what I would recommend:

    Get your bike fitted for two water bottles, and have a bike fitting done if you haven't already. The little tweaks can help a lot.

    Drink a bottle of water per hour. Assuming this is a supported century, you'll be able to refill at just the right times. Avoid overeating at the rest stops.

    Look at 4 rides per week minimum, with one of them being long, around 50 miles or so. This is when you figure out the finer points of being on the bike for a long time, like how many hand positions can you switch between frequently, what flavor gel packs you like and what other nutrition you like on the bike (PBJs, fig newtons, etc.?), how often to stand up to prevent sore butt, etc. Lots of little details come up that you want ironed out before century day. If you're considering energy drinks or additives, try them during these rides. They don't all agree with everyone's system.

    Spin class: Absolutely! I disagree w/ all the nay-sayers. One spin class a week, and ride it damn hard, just kill it. Ride it so hard you stumble out of class with drool coming down your chin. This will push your aerobic threshold up a lot over 8 weeks, which is the true super power of cycling and will have a big payoff on century day.

    There's this idea out there that I and a lot of people believe, that once you have that ride-every-day type fitness, you can go forever as long as you do two things: eat on the bike every half hour, and stay under your anaerobic threshold. If you don't know your threshold, think keep a strong but not overly strong pace, and don't do too many really hard efforts. With your running base you'll have a good cycling base in 8 weeks, but ride almost, if not every, day.

    Wear a quality kit. Good shorts and jersey really pay off, and look better on Facebook when you're bragging about what you just did.

    Draft whenever you can, it's free speed.

    On century day, stuff your jersey pockets full of gels, check your tire pressures, and damn the torpedos! We'll be looking for the "after" photo.

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