First 100 mile charity sportive

Bruce Thornton
Bruce Thornton Posts: 87
edited February 2008 in Training, fitness and health
I,m doing a 100 mile sportive for the Orchid cancer charity in Essex in June. At present I ride a 4mile each way commute with ride at the weekend of about 60 miles I ride at 13-14 mph. The bike I ride is a Orbit Ventura tourer which I can,t afford to change. I would like any advice on training so I can get round without being too slow. The ride starts at 8.00 am and you have to get back by 5.00 pm. I'm 58 years old and live in Norfolk which hasn't any hills
Regards
Bruce

Comments

  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    If you can already do 60 mile rides at 14mph average, then it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to be able to do 100 miles around Essex in June in under 9 hours (11 mph average including stops).

    All you need to do is gradually increase your long weekly ride so that you are able to comfortably manage 80-90 miles come May. You could also add extra miles to your commute when the light evenings return. It's just about getting the miles in to build your endurance really.

    If the Essex ride is very hilly (unlikely?) you may want to add some hills into your training route which may mean hopping into the car with your bike or getting the train to some lumpier countryside. Isn't north Norfolk a bit lumpy?
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • ut_och_cykla
    ut_och_cykla Posts: 1,594
    Just keep going I'd say! until teh good weather and light evenings arrive anyway. then consider making the commute home longer - up to an hour - once or twice a week. Split the hour into warm up & cool down bits, then give it some welly in between at a pace you can just sustain for the 30-40 minutes you have. Eat a good balanced diet (plenty of fish & lean meat, friut & veg as well as the necessary carbs (grains - bread/pasta etc), and make sure you rest too!
    Have fun - I think you're much more than half way there already.

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