training for a 100 mile + sportive

mr_sj

ive switched to cycling recently as a form of cross training whilst i recover froma running injury and been hooked on it !

at the moment im looking at entering the northern rock cyclone and cant decide if i should go for the 60 or 100 mile ride. i dont have a huge amount of time to train (1-2 rides a week) and just discovered my running injury is about to stop my cycling for the next 8-10 weeks, so i wont be getting back out until around easter time i guess.

so basic question is, if i decide to enter the 100+ mile distance what sort of length should i be riding in training to ensure im fine on the day. do i need to be riding regular weekly long rides of around 100 miles or is it more like marathon training where you only do teh big distance on teh day ???

as i say im coming froma running background and all the riding stuff is a bit new and baffling to me :?

Mike67

I'm guessing you would have some good background fitness from your running background. Saying that though, if you're not going to be able to restart training until 2 months before the event I would be concerned about doing a 100+miler off the back of it as the course itself sounds pretty tough.

I did my first 100 plus miler (110miles) last year and started getting longer weekend rides in some three or four months before the event. This was on top of usually two other shorter rides during the week being all I could fit in.

My longest ride in training was just short of 80 miles and during the event it was just after this point where I suffered. I'm not sure if it was mental or physical or both as I was then in unknown terratory so to speak. A short stop and refuel though saw me through to the finish.

Only you can tell of course but I would try to get at least a couple of long rides of 70 to 80 miles in a good way before the day just to prove to yourself that you can do it. The last 20 or so you can hang on

Garz

Agree with Mike.

Even if I'm pretty fit and in good form I usually suffer around the 70 mile mark if you don't do the distances often. You should be able to hit near the mark around six week prior to the event.

Once you can cover the distance and your body accepts this, you can move onto focussing on hills or speed work.

mr_sj

yeah that makes sense, i think if im being realistic im not going to have enough time on the bike to be ready for it so think this year i'll dtick with the 62 mile ride and aim next year for the 100 miler.

cheers for teh advice

ded

Well, I say if you want to do 100 miles, do it. Just plan very carefully. My 1st ride over 60 miles last year was the Fred Whiton, and I hadn't done a whole lot at ~60 miles either! And it went OK. I don't find riding like running at all - with running my legs need time to adjust to the abuse that hitting the ground with your foot dishes out. With riding, that is just not there - it is much more down to your fuelling/pacing strategy, so if you are reasonably fit and plan it out well I reckon you would be OK. Find some stuff about raising your "power at threshold" etc. and plan out exactly what you can and can't do before the day.

Having said all that, if your bike fit isn't very good then you might still struggle. I'm very comfy on my bike but I still got a bit of a stiff back towards the end of 100+ miles last year...

dsmiff

I did one last year with my son with no specific training what so ever. (100 miles about 4200 ft of climb). We did do a really hilly ride of about 60 miles 2 months before, but that was all on the road bikes.

http://www.hopebikeride.org/

I just rode to work each day (5 miles each way) and rode on a MTB at Llandegla twice a week (around 15 miles) I guess this is similar to 25-30 miles on a road bike in terms of effort.

My son (11) just rode at Llandegla twice a week and totally killed me on the actual ride.

We did the ride in about 7 1/2 hours (ride time 6:55). Had a problem at about 80 miles as well - was riding at about 7mph on a flat road with no wind, stopped, refuelled and I was OK again.

mick1355

I think you'd do well to stick with the 63 miles, only because you're going to be late starting your training. It is quite a tough 104 miles with some significant climbs inc the Ryals that'll hit you with about 73 miles in your legs (mostly uphill too, or did it just feel that way to me).
The 63 mile one is quite a challenge to, try the 104 next year when you can give yourself more time and get plenty base miles in before hand.



What do you mean again........................................................................

barney69

I was training to do the Hadrian's CycleWay last year on my (heavy) tourer and was going to attempt it in a day (4am start)
I managed a couple of 50-70 miles rides every week coming up to the big day and also only one 100 miler (the 1st section of the actual ride, which also doubled up as a reccy).
I managed the 175 miles despite the heavy headwinds for the first 60 miles and came into the the finish at 9pm.

this year I'm going to attempt the LeJog and that'll be 110 miles day after day on my own again - better start serious training.
Also going to mix in some 100 mile sportifs eg the Northern Rock Cyclone which I'll do on my Madone when I get it next week

Richa1181

Do you live close to the course you'll be doing at all? Might be worth having a go at the first 50 miles one week and the second 50 the next and decide from there if you can do them together.

Also, how's your climbing on a bike? One of my running friends recently took up cycling and I thought he was doing great going on 40+ mile rides within a month of getting a bike. He has very good fitness as was training for a marathon (I think he got up to 18miles) and plays football every week, but upon hitting his first "proper" hill last week (our local 20% bump) he ended up walking most of the way up, and he's not even heavy! Endurance is one thing but having the strength to get up multiple climbs is quite clearly another.. I'd strongly advise finding this out before the main event

mr_sj

thats good advice richa, thanks. my fitness is fine and as you say endurance isnt a problem but my experience on hills is very limited.

the more i think about it the more inclined i am to do the shorter 60 mile ride this time and then work on my riding a lot more and then maybe 6 months time look at something100 miles plus.

Richa1181

If you've got a turbo you could do a couple of mid week strength sessions that would help a lot. My first sportive of the year is in March and at the moment due to a winter of inactivity I'm finding my range is only about 40 miles with big hills involved so I'm thinking about taking the 67 mile option myself. Plus 100 miles is always more fun in the summer so I'm in no hurry to prove anything..

brickiejase

stop bottling it, Man Up! & go for it.
I would rather ride 150km than run 10 miles.
Have done both, no training other than; spin classes, circuits and Body pump

mr_sj

funny thing is, if it was running 100 miles i'd go for it without a moments hesitation !

rando

I have registered for the Peterborough 100 on April 10th and have not been out on the bike since beginning of December. Hoping to get out this Saturday and get some miles in (50 would be nice). Have been in the gym all winter though and doing cycling classes 2-3 times per week along with other CV work so am hoping this will keep my fitness levels up. Have 8 weeks left to triain before the 100 mile event - reading this thread is putting doubts in my head ! But there is no backing out now so will just have to go for it.

wiffachip

if in doubt, apply for the 104 mile ride.
you can do the shorter course on the day if you find the longer route's too much
but you can't step up from the shorter ride

i've done the long route for the last two years and I'm pretty lardy, as my times will testify

no matter which one you do, it's a flippin great day

Richa1181

8 weeks should be plenty to get up to distance if you've already got some fitness. I've just done my 3rd ride of the week bringing the total up to 70 miles, If i can keep it up as well as getting out on the weekend for something 50+ I reckon it'll be OK. The trouble is trying to fit in the recovery whilst running on non cycling days. I have no idea how triathlete's do it!