Sportive training

youngy81

Thinking of signing up to the Ken Laidlaw 52 mile sportive in mid august. I'm currently commuting 10 mile trips two times weekly (after two months of twice weekly spinning classes). Can someone give me a clue of the amount and type of miles I should be putting in for this? And am I giving myself enough time to get ready?

oscar-j

you've got loads of time.try doing a few 25 milers.sounds a lot at first but afterwards you'll wonder what you were worried about.if need be,have a breather halfway,take plenty of fluids.nearer the time,push it up to a couple of 35-40 milers.as long as you do this sort of thing fairly regularly,you'll be fine

Cleat Eastwood

you've more than enough time.

You need get some miles in them there legs though. Maybe once a week adding an extra 5 miles on, then upping it to an extra ten. Your body needs to know something of the effort it will be facing and will easily adapt to small increases.

For a couple of rides too try and focus on hours in the saddle and not just distance. Although 50 isn't that far if you're new to it the sheer length of time in one position can bring out unexpected aches and pains which can take the gloss off a fine achievement. It will give you some indication as to when you need to take on drink and food and will increase your stamina.

So try and do a few 2-3 hour rides building up to 4 if you can, going at whatever pace suits you.

Its a good idea to break the fifty down too into smaller bite size chunks, try doing 15 miles out and then 15 miles back (you're close to that anyway with your commute) as it's easier for the mind to conquer small distances rather than large.

In sportives anyway you will find yourself being dragged along by various groups at varying speeds and the first 10-15 miles will fly by.

Good luck and most of all enjoy it.