100 miler in only a month for a newbie?

Dmak

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

Dmak wrote:

A friend of mine was up for joining me on a century, fittest friend I have and does a bit of cycling. 45 miles in and he had to get the train back.

Exactly, there's always that option.

Well as long as you make it clear at the start and know your escape options you may as well give it a go! Crack on. Better to give it a go than pussy out before the start. Get a good chunk of cycling in each day and eat well. Travel light too. Some water, some food and other essentials, cash for the train!

Schobiedoo

Assuming that the course hasn't changed from last year, there are a couple of hard climbs but both are in the first half of the ride. After that I'd say it's more rolling countryside.

I "rushed" my training last year to do it and did a couple of 50 milers and a 70 miler before the event itself and I found it fine - although I had been cycling 30 miles regularly for a couple of months beforehand.

A lot will depend on the pace that you want to ride. If it's a case of just getting around the course taking some decent food/rest breaks then it will be achieveable, if it's with a group going at a fast pace then that's another matter and it could end up in a whole world of pain.

Try a couple of big rides and make the call then.

It was a very enjoyable event last year, very well organised.

Seanos

Last year the course was 103.4 miles with 1,688m elevation gain according to my Garmin. It was pretty lumpy all the way round with some of the bigger hills around the 6-20 mile and 40 to 50 mile mark.

It's a well catered and well run event but I'd prepare yourself for a fairly long time in the saddle, I think 6 hours might be a bit optimistic.

jonny_trousers

Thanks all! Some really useful advice there.

bobtbuilder wrote:

Get out as soon as you can and see how far you can ride on similarly lumpy terrain. The North Downs should be reachable from SE London. This is going to give you a much better picture of where you currently are and how much improvement you need to make in the next month.

It's not just the effects that riding has on your legs you need to get used to but also the demands it places on your lower back, sit bones, traps & neck, etc.

100 miles is going to be 6-7 hours for you at a guess and that is a long time in the saddle if you are only used to 2 hours.

A ride through the Downs is an excellent idea and I will do one this Friday. Anyone have a route starting from a station? I'm thinking a ride of around 3 hours to start off with. Cheers!

Thebigbee

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

Thebigbee wrote:

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

ShutUpLegs wrote:

Gav888 wrote:

Personally I wouldn't even consider it, general advice is no more than 10% gain in mileage per week, and you can probably do 100 with only 80 miles in the tank but you still want to get a good base of riding longer distances so your body gets used to the demands and work your way up slowly.

"

His coworker is up to mischief

That's just the kind of sneering, cynical comment I need to encourage me to get on and do it. Thanks!

I wouldn't call that sneering, more like sensible!.

Nothing sensible about it, but you are quite right 'sneering' was way over the top and I apologise to SUL.

I have to disagree but appreciate your post.

Your latest post is about routes that are roughly 3 hours.

I can't help you in that respect but I point you back to my 45 mile ride where I was utterly shagged in the last 10 and just wanted to get home.

100 miles is achieveable for me - the last 40 miles I would utterly hate.

But each to their own I wish you luck and best wishes.

Let us know how it goes.

Simontheintrepid

I'm going to do this ride, it's my first sportive and yes, because a fitter colleague (for now :twisted:) is doing it. For me it's the hills that will make a difference but as Schobiedoo says the worst ones are in the first half.

Get out on a ride and do them both. The hill on Exedown Rd is 10 miles from the start and Hollingbourne Hill is about 40 miles. The first is short and steep and the second longer with a bit of a sting in the tail.

I've made sure to get myself up those hills in the last few weeks and now feeling very confident. Personally it's a big mental barrier for me if I've not done hills before as I'm not much of a grimpeur yet, but everyone's different. The way I look at it, if you can feel okay with these you can grind out the rest of the course.

There's four feed stops along the way and the promise of a good meal and a massage at the end to spur me on. Did you get your Zipvit sampler pack? Make sure you've got those to hand but there should be stuff along the route.

For the rest of the course I'd say just not to pace yourself too high, tempting though it is. Get a computer and stick to a speed you're comfortable with (15mph seems fine) - be disciplined - then all you have to worry about is a saddle you're happy with for 6-7 hours. Above all, enjoy. I'm looking forward to the atmosphere on the day, which should help.

Anyway - yes, give it a go. I'm told the first 100 miler is always tough but I imagine it'll give me confidence for events like this and for my enjoyment of cycling in general.

@TheBigBee - I know what you're saying but your 45 mile ride could've contained all kinds of variables - sleep, nutrition, motivation, speed. Just over a week ago I did a 'comfortable' 60 miles but I've bonked after 20 before without a good breakfast. Just sayin'

Besides, it's not much of an achievement without a little pain right?

teulk

Its totally upto you at the end of the day if you want to do it, the thing is do you think you can do it ? Well if the answer is yes then do it. Its also true that if you do it and find if really difficult your probably not going to enjoy it, however the sense of achievement when your finished will be greater.
The bottom line is you wont know if your capable of doing it unless you do it. Alot of the answers given here are taken from experience, be under no illision 100miles is a hell of a long way no matter which way you look at it. You will be spending probably 7hrs plus in the saddle so you will suffer some discomfort.
If you have a month to prepare i dont see any reason why you couldnt be riding at least 30miles on training rides by the time the ride comes round. If thats the case you could look at breaking the 100miles into 3 stages - there will probably be planned food stops anyway - possibly 3 - 4.

16mm

Just do it.
Ignore the '45 miles and hatded the last ten' guy. You're more mentally strong than that;-)

My advice when training and riding for this is to train steady, but stop for a proper sit down lunch just after halfway. Like you were all day cycle touring. Stop to look at the views. Enjoy yourself. Ride all day, you'll be surprised how far you can get.
If you can manage a proper sit down feed or two on the 100mile ride to it would be good too.
Better to go at all day touring pace, eating proper food than to try to survive on bananas and gels.
Get some assos shorts too:-)

Thebigbee

teulk wrote:

Its totally upto you at the end of the day if you want to do it, the thing is do you think you can do it ? Well if the answer is yes then do it. Its also true that if you do it and find if really difficult your probably not going to enjoy it, however the sense of achievement when your finished will be greater.
The bottom line is you wont know if your capable of doing it unless you do it. Alot of the answers given here are taken from experience, be under no illision 100miles is a hell of a long way no matter which way you look at it. You will be spending probably 7hrs plus in the saddle so you will suffer some discomfort.
If you have a month to prepare i dont see any reason why you couldnt be riding at least 30miles on training rides by the time the ride comes round. If thats the case you could look at breaking the 100miles into 3 stages - there will probably be planned food stops anyway - possibly 3 - 4.

sense, thanks.

Thebigbee

16mm wrote:

Just do it.
Ignore the '45 miles and hatded the last ten' guy. You're more mentally strong than that;-)

My advice when training and riding for this is to train steady, but stop for a proper sit down lunch just after halfway. Like you were all day cycle touring. Stop to look at the views. Enjoy yourself. Ride all day, you'll be surprised how far you can get.
If you can manage a proper sit down feed or two on the 100mile ride to it would be good too.
Better to go at all day touring pace, eating proper food than to try to survive on bananas and gels.
Get some assos shorts too:-)

Utter nonsense. Thanks.

I guess you have your answers by now, either way. 100 miles is not an easy journey.

Let us know what you choose.

ShutUpLegs

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

Thanks again guys,

I'm going for a simple training ride with the chap who invited me along on Wednesday and I can see how I get on pacing myself to him,

This should be interesting, let us know how it goes. What are you doing, 25-50 miles?

Slaav

Hope you do go for this!

I had a similar dilemma but agreed to my own personal challenge when drunk! Never a good starting point.....

Not sure if this will help but will try and explain the 'improvement' I have made in the last 6./7 weeks- admittedly more time than you have - but mine is 200 miles over 3 days with a 96 miler in the middle day; so similar.

Day 1, useless; abject failure! Couldn't make it to the pub without stopping! (4miles FFS)

Day 4 or 5, useless; Managed 10 miles with stopping and the 'hill' on the way home made me question my sanity....

etc etc.

Wk 2, decided to push the boat out and try not to stop on my 10 miler... sort of managed it (Red lights thank God)

Miss a couple of weeks due to illness.

Cut to now:

Managed a 44 mile ride on Saturday, agreed to a game of Golf (Carrying) at 7am SUnday morning. Got itchy feet SUnday afternoon and decided to go for a loosener... Non stop 20 mile 'loosener' and cut 15 mins off my best time on that route.

And that 'hill' from early on isn't! It is a nice finish to a decent ride - actually accelerate all the way home up the slight incline now as need to know that there is plenty still there, no matter how tired my brain thinks my legs are!

SO, the point of the boring 'dear diary' is that you would be amazed at what improvement you will see if coming from a low level!

Go for it!!! (And Good Luck)

Pokerface

I ride pretty much every day. But have only done 100 miles a few times. It is never easy - even with a group of people - especially at the end. But rewarding

But as you have said you commute every day (even a short one) I would still have a go at it. But like I said- get out there sharpish and start doing some longer rides ASAP.


Good luck and let us know if you do it!

danowat

Pokerface wrote:

I ride pretty much every day. But have only done 100 miles a few times. It is never easy - even with a group of people - especially at the end.

But its not "hard" either, the first time I broke the ton, I did 127.5miles, the furthest I'd ridden up to then was about 70 miles, it wasn't "hard", I'd have said running a half marathon was "harder", the last couple of miles were a little tough, and a bit of a drag (mainly because I'd ran out of food), but it wasn't "hard"

16mm

Thebigbee wrote:

16mm wrote:

Just do it.
Ignore the '45 miles and hatded the last ten' guy. You're more mentally strong than that;-)

My advice when training and riding for this is to train steady, but stop for a proper sit down lunch just after halfway. Like you were all day cycle touring. Stop to look at the views. Enjoy yourself. Ride all day, you'll be surprised how far you can get.
If you can manage a proper sit down feed or two on the 100mile ride to it would be good too.
Better to go at all day touring pace, eating proper food than to try to survive on bananas and gels.
Get some assos shorts too:-)

Utter nonsense. Thanks.

I guess you have your answers by now, either way. 100 miles is not an easy journey.

Let us know what you choose.

It it all nonsense or just the bit about your mental block?

Slightly OT, but what is it with 'Challenge' riders that only want to attempt challenges they already know they can do?

scoob49

I think fair play to you! I am doing some training now and looking to do 100 miler at the end of August. I have become totally addicted to cycling properly in 5 weeks.

I am really struggling not to just go out and do a longer distance after reading all the only build up 10% a week comments. I understand there is a reason why people are saying this but the body is an amazing thing and if you prepare yourself mentally and fuel efficiently for a challenge, yeah it's going to hurt but can you imagine how happy you will be once you complete it.

I think people can choose whether they can complete it and be happy, or complete it after loads of training and get addicted to HR/cadence/speed etc etc. Surely the latter takes the enjoyment out of it and to enjoy cycling you need to maybe put yourself through it once in a while without knowing that you'll make it by scientific stats and facts telling you so!

Only my opinion but hey go for it. Challenge yourself and remember to let us know how your getting on and see if we can help! I probably can't but I'll try.

Tip...... Get good padding! You will need to harden up your backside quick or you may be walking like J.Wayne for a considerable amount of time!!!

16mm

Check out the Dunwich Dynamo. http://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/content/dunwich-dynamo
120 Miles overnight, and done by plently of people with little distance cycling experience.

bompington

I think a month is very pessimistic, even an unfit rider should be able to average 10mph, and a month for 100 miles is only averaging about 0.13mph

Pokerface

danowat wrote:

Pokerface wrote:

I ride pretty much every day. But have only done 100 miles a few times. It is never easy - even with a group of people - especially at the end.

But its not "hard" either, the first time I broke the ton, I did 127.5miles, the furthest I'd ridden up to then was about 70 miles, it wasn't "hard", I'd have said running a half marathon was "harder", the last couple of miles were a little tough, and a bit of a drag (mainly because I'd ran out of food), but it wasn't "hard"

Maybe I should clarify. It was hard "for me".

Or tough. Or difficult. Or "not easy". OK - it wasn't THAT hard and a lot of the difficulty comes down to feeding yourself for that distance.

Bobbinogs

I think the main problem is the cyclists' interchangeable usage of the following words: Hard/Tough/Easy/Painful/Fun/Rewarding/challenging...you get the point.

I went out on a "tough" training route at the w/e (60 odd miles and about 1,500m of climbing). I tried to keep freewheeling to a min and worked hard on the hills (as in targetting a good paced ascent rather than just getting to the top). The scenario was stunning and the weather was lovely.

During my ride I went through most of the normal emotions (see above for some words). When I finished I was knackered but had a smile on my face. My wife asked how it went, I said "bloody tough" and then added "can't wait 'til next w/e".

So, is 100 miles in 1 month possible? We'll all just have to stay tuned and find out.

OP, please try and use at least one of the words when you update us after the ride, something like "it was a tough challenge but thoroughly rewarding" would be spot on. Use of "never again" is optional because you can always come back in a month and edit it out when you are booked for the next sportive.

benno68

I think the OP is mentally up for it and fairly fit. If there's a broom wagon you've got nothing to lose.

It's an achievement to get a century under your belt but it will be difficult.

Go at "your" pace and try to get into a group that is going at the right pace for you, forget your colleague as if he's an experienced cyclist he could drive you to failure if you try to hold onto his wheel.

Read up on the use of an HRM there's plenty of info on the web and here. If you don;t already use one I'd suggest you think about getting one.

Make sure you keep hydrated and fueled up - good luck and keep us posted!

Pross

Going from 15 - 25 mile rides to a hundred in a month is a huge difference. One thing no-one seems to have mentioned so far is the discomfort that just sitting on a saddle for that length of time can cause, nothing to do with fitness but suddenly going from an hour or two in the saddle to probably more like 7 hours is massive if your arse muscles aren't used to it and other than bonking there is nothing worse when riding than being unable to sit for long periods. I'm usually all for people accepting a challenge and pushing their limits but in this case it could well result in an unpleasant day out. I ride up to about 60 miles most weeks and still find it uncomfortable in the saddle towards the end.

DCowling

Well done if you do it, but +1 for going out and trying a 40-50 miler.

As others have stated ( and far more experienced than me) the time in the saddle can have as much impact as the actual work to complete the distance, I believe given enough time, anybody within reason can do this distance, the question is , what is the pace your expected to keep ? as that will be the potentiall undoing

FocusZing

I had walked the length of the Malvern's in the passed both ways in a day, but had to drive to get there. So for a challenge I decided to ride on my MTB to the top of Worcester Beacon (highest point of the Malvern's) and back home. In total a trip of 109 miles (not direct but avoiding the main roads). It was definitely tough, but I really did enjoy it.

It makes me appreciate the pro guys/girls all the more.

As more accomplished cyclists have said, having enough food and water is critical (I managed to fill up with natural Malvern spring water:-). A couple of day's ago I did 52 miles on my road bike without food and water. I just about made it back, my eyes kept closing and I had to stop a couple of times due to feeling light headed. A stupid exuberant mistake.

CiB

100 miles isn't a problem. The only issue is how long it takes you - at 14 mph avg it's 7 hours, not so bad, 15mph = 6½h, 16mph is a shade over 6 hours. Add on an hour for a couple of food stops etc and you're looking at no more than 8 hours out on a bike. How hard can that be? Not very, is the correct answer.

I'm surprised there's not been much mention of prep. FWIW, I'd suggest:

Get some miles in in the days leadign up to the 100, but have a day off the day before, or just do an easy 10 miler to keep the legs going.

Wear comfy padded shorts. They don't need to be £100 worth of Assus finest, just comfy shorts. Consider slapping a load of Savlon cream round your parts before you set off, if you fear the effect of the ride on your nethers.

Eat well the night before - chicken, pasta, plenty of fluids. Avoid too much alcohol.

On the day have a decent breakfast. Two bowls of porridge will do, anything that gets you filled with decent food. Drink plenty too - you want to be well hydrated before you start.

Keep taking on board fluids & foods during the ride. Rich squash is good, so is water with Nuun tabs if you sweat a bit or it's a warm day.

Don't carry too much stuff. The bare essentials - tube, puncture kit, pump, money, phone + a couple of energy bars will do. You can buy stuff to eat & drink en route. There's no 100 mile route that doesn't pass a shop.

Pace yourself - it's a long way, entirely do-able but an effort nonetheless. Don't shoot your bolt too soon - that's never good.

Enjoy it, esp the bit where your speedo hops into 3 digits. It's worth it.

Bask in the aftermath of the achievement, and start plotting your next one.

Come back on here and tell us how great it was to do your first one. You'll be full of it when you finish. Don't let it get away because of some arbitrary "10% increase per week" rule. Just go out there, do it and enjoy the moment.

Good luck.

jonny_trousers

Thanks for the encouragement, thanks for the advice and thanks for the words of warning (they will be well heeded). Where I am at right now, I really want to do it, but I’m still a little nervous. I’m actually pretty confident that I am mentally and physically fit enough to get through the hundred miles, but it’s those aspects mentioned above about discomfort that scare me a little. I will get some quality shorts and I was planning a new saddle, so thoughts there would be appreciated (a good compromise on comfort and weight perhaps?). I also need to get the bike serviced and will be looking into new bar tape (gel inserts?). Fuelling makes me a little worried too as, although sports nutrition has always interested me, I know nothing about keeping the body fuelled over long periods, but I will be cycling among experienced riders and from what I read about the Castle, it seems like they are excellent at offering regular food and drink stations along the route.

I will be going out with my friend tomorrow for an easy 25 mile circuit mainly so that I can chat about the ride with him, but to see how I get on trying to pace myself to him and to get practical advice on riding within a group (something I know nothing about). Although he is an extremely fit bloke, I suspect a few of the other guys planning to do the sportive, though experienced, are not quite so well in shape, and so I might be ok keeping up with them.

I will also try to do forty miles plus on Friday as a tester. Do you think it would make more sense for me to get a train out to riding country before I set off, or begin the ride from my front door in Crystal Palace?

Thanks very much in particular to CiB for offering such useful advice. I will be bearing it all in mind and any other thoughts on the practicality of my challenge would be hugely appreciated.

I guess I should change the title of my thread now, but will perhaps only do so once I have committed fully.

Thanks again!

CiB

Cheers JT. We've all been there. The nervous anticipation is a good thing - apathy is the enemy, as John Peel once said when he played The Friday Rock Show theme one night instead of his own theme.

Rich Hcp

I did the Do it For Charity London 100 last year.

My mileometer said it was 103.9 (Maybe a Garmin is more accurate!) the 3.9 bit was hell :shock:

I started training properly as soon as the clocks went forward, I used a training plan I found on the internet as a guide to what mileage i needed to do each week and adjusted it around work etc.

I'd be training twice in the week, 15 miles minimum each time and then a long run at weekends, starting with 35-40 miles working up to 78 two weeks before the event.

I used to take two loops and the house is in the intersection where I refueled and refilled my waterbottle with energy drink and Camelback Slipstream with water, I took energy bars and a bag of skittles for an energy rush!

The hardest thing was being used to being in the saddle for that length of time, both physically and mentally.

My average on the longer runs was 15-ish, no matter what I did, I think that was the most imoportant thing, finding what my pace acually is because I learned how to pace myself on the century.

On the event you find people your pace and you stick together, ther was one lady who was exactly the right pace for me and we were cycling buddies for the day!

I'm pleased to say we dropped a few along the way too! (makes you feel better)

The event was well sign posted and the catering was superb, refuling is important.

I did the 103.9 in just over 7 hours, averaged just under 15. Others were quicker, I didn't care about them at all, you have to resist the temptation to try to keep up.

Not bad for a 45 year old with a weak left leg and ankle!

It took more effort to get to the start (if you know what I mean) than to do the ride, but, as with most things its the preperation and training that is key.

I'm not gong to do a 100 this year, I'm MTBing inDerbyshire in June, so I'm dragging my MTB up the biggest hills I can find!

I'll do another century next year, but I'm definately going to prepare for it.

I did a 65 mile Evans event with a guy from work who is reconed to be "fit", goes to the gym a lot etc, it nearly bloody kiled him!

Its not just a case of being fit, its what I call being "Bike Fit"

I'd never say don't do it, but it'll be one hell of a lot harder!

Good luck, whatever you decide to do

carl_p

Pross wrote:

Going from 15 - 25 mile rides to a hundred in a month is a huge difference. One thing no-one seems to have mentioned so far is the discomfort that just sitting on a saddle for that length of time can cause, nothing to do with fitness but suddenly going from an hour or two in the saddle to probably more like 7 hours is massive if your ars* muscles aren't used to it and other than bonking there is nothing worse when riding than being unable to sit for long periods. I'm usually all for people accepting a challenge and pushing their limits but in this case it could well result in an unpleasant day out. I ride up to about 60 miles most weeks and still find it uncomfortable in the saddle towards the end.

Completely agree with this. Don't underestimate how painful this can be - every turn of the pedal could be agony if your saddle or shorts aren't up to it. Fitness wise you'll probably be ok, but you need to do at least one long ride between 50 and 70 miles to make sure your saddle is suitable for longer distances. Bruised sit bones are not nice and we're not talking next day, but 3 hours in if you've been riding on a brick. Good luck and go for it, but give yourself every chance by making sure you have decent kit.

Rich Hcp

You'lll need chamois cream too!

I use Udderly Smooth