56 m race - should i do 56 m before it?

aberfeldyweather

Hi to all.

I have a 56 m race in Aug. I have done a few Tri's before and have cycled 40 miles before and weekly do 20's 2 or 3 times. The 56 m race climbs 3000 feet. Should I be doing a 56 m before the race so that i know how it feels or just build up to it?

cheers

HungryCol

Do the race route if you can before hand to know what lies ahead, where the climb ends, dangerious bends, and finally how far it is to the finish line. That's what I'd do...

knedlicky

I don't think you need to have done the distance to complete an event - you can usually pull out extra in an event, both time = speed (15-20%) and endurance = distance (40-50%).

But if you want to know better how you'll cope on the day or want do well in the placings, it's obviously better to know how that distance and that amount of climbing feels.

You don't have to ride at likely race speed to benefit, or ride the actual race route, though you might if you're a contender for a prize or really keen. If you don't ride the route, at least look at the profile, and the route on a map.

Bronzie

Riding 56 miles solo will not prepare you for riding 56 miles at race speed. Best advice as previously mentioned is to pre-ride the course if possible so you know what lies ahead, but not essential.

You may well find the pace is a bit of a shock to the system at first, but if you do get dropped and don't finish, don't be disheartened. It may take a few races to get into the swing of things. Even 4th Cat races can be surprisingly quick.

Maybe consider riding some shorter race distances as training beforehand - are there any evening series near you (typically 1 hour circuit races)? Failing that, interval training is a good substitute (hard short sprints or hill climbs).

Most important thing as a first timer is not to get carried away and do too much work on the front only to get left for dead when the pace goes up minutes later. Use your energy sparingly until you get a feel of how strong you are compared to the other riders at your category level.

aberfeldyweather

Thanks, I think i will do it prior as the roads are in the highlands and liable to be of..varying quality etc..

Next you will be telling me that using my Brompton is out of the question..

domtyler

Hi,

You should be fine on your Brompton, don't worry about that.

My advice, come race day, would be to try to stay in the front 10-15 riders for as long as possible. Once you are dropped you will be on your own for the rest of the race. The longer you are in the main bunch the more you will learn. Before the race you need to start doing some interval sessions if you are not already. the moment you see the guys at the front step up the pace you must be ready to match their speed in an instant.

Finally, don't worry if you get dropped, most people do in their first race, but mainly due to being too afraid to push to the front. Try to think of it as a learning experience and a high tempo training run. Club runs to the local cake stop will just not be enough for you afterwards!!! And most importantly of course, enjoy yourself!
________
Bmw 8 series history

Mike Willcox1

aberfeldyweather wrote:

Hi to all.

I have a 56 m race in Aug. I have done a few Tri's before and have cycled 40 miles before and weekly do 20's 2 or 3 times. The 56 m race climbs 3000 feet. Should I be doing a 56 m before the race so that i know how it feels or just build up to it?

cheers

It sounds as though you need some confidence building as you are moving into unknown territory. A couple of rides of +3 hours will do the trick plus some climbs on the same rides or on different rides.

oldwelshman

If this is your first race in a bunch I would not even try to get within 10 to 15 places of front. You might find the pace and cornering dificult at the pace they do and if your cornering is not up to scratch you may actually cause problems.
You should go further back in the bunch to get confidence riding in a bunch and cornerring fast,and to get better shielding from the wind.

deejay.

The key to surviving a race at any distance, but particularly longer distances is to make sure you hydrate and feed appropriately. I did a stage of the Tour of Wessex last year, when I had a little more time on my hands for training and though the stage took me around 7 hours for the 100 miles, I never rode for longer than 5, as I just couldn't get the training in. I did make sure I ate and drank properly though...

Good luck!

Bronzie

deejay. wrote:

I did a stage of the Tour of Wessex last year, when I had a little more time on my hands for training

Sorry Deejay, but a sportif is not like a road race (which I'm assuming this is what the OP is referring to)..............if you can't keep up with the bunch in a road race, you may as well quit the race and go back to the HQ as there is little point in continuing miles off the back.

Your comments about being hydrated etc are valid, but this alone will not prepare you for riding at 23mph+ for 2+ hours. Also, it's the change in pace that catches a lot of people out.............one minute you are rolling along nicely at 23mph, next minute someone has put in a big attack which the bunch follows and you are doing 30+mph. Interval training is the key..............riding TT's or tris which are constant steady efforts will not prepare for all the jumping around that goes on.

domtyler

OldWelshMan makes a valid point, I was kind of assuming that you would have the necessary technical skills, if you are not extremely confident in your bike handling skills then it may not be appropriate to be so far forward. Just try and stay with the pack for as long as you can though as when you get dropped that will be your day over.
________
Mexico City Hotel