Hills of the North for a newbie

BobbyTrigger

Evening all. Brand new to this road lark, picked up my Trek 1.5C end of July. Since then i've been getting out two - 3 times a week. Managing 20 milers through the week and 30 milers on a weekend. i'm pretty unfit to be honest, to give you an idea of my times i'm averaging 16 mph over my rides pretty much regardless of distance (with the odd hill here and there)

my question is, do you think its unrealistic to tackle Hit the Hills sportive end of October?

i reckon i can do the 50 mile course, but its the 100 mile i'd really like to tackle. Is it too soon?

oh aye, and i'm 41 and a tadge unfit

http://www.hillsofthenorth.com/index.php

Peddle Up!

Reason says, too soon. So go for it. 8)

Legshaver

So you've had your Trek about two weeks and you want to know if you're ready to tackle a 100 miler? ummm... :roll:

I think that you should find yourself something a little less onerous to start with, perhaps a 100k might be better. At 41 you have plenty of time to really enjoy cycling as a sport, and a 100k is as much of a milestone as anything else if you've not been that far before.

Just being with a lot of fellow cyclists will make the ride a pleasure.

Have fun.

BobbyTrigger

Thanks for the advice fellas

wiffachip

you'll be fine by the end of october

pity its on 25 september

never heard of that one, could be tempted meself like

good luck whichever one you do

the_spooks

Having done some of those hills as part of the C2C recently unless your fit I wouldn't recommend it as a first 100. Looks good though, would love to say that I would do it but reckon I would struggle. For people that do sportives is this a normal type of profile or is it a bit more difficult? What kind of time would you expect to finish it?

BobbyTrigger

my local LBS does a Saturday morning ride thats normally about 50 miles, might try and brave that this weekend (weather dependent). I think its probably a good start.

i'm lacking a lot of confidence in my ability fitness wise unfortunately.

redjeepǃ

If you lack confidence in your fitness, then in all honesty the worst thing you can do is set yourself up to an epic fail. It'll set you back.

If I were you I'd build it up more slowly, go out with the shop spins until you're comfortable doing those sorts of distances. your first '100' should be a landmark and something to celebrate. If you rush into it you stand a good chance of failing.

Please don't take this as negative or critical, it's not meant to be. I just think that you need to give yourself more time to build yourself up. Mileage comes fairly slowly. Don't worry about your age and fitness profile, it probably fits about 75% of the people on this forum at one stage. Just stay at it and enjoy it as you get fitter. Set yourself achievable targets and build up the mileage. I started up again the wrong side of 40 and about 3 stone over weight, I'm now fitter than I was when I was 20.

BobbyTrigger

sounds good advice, cheers

durhamwasp

Thats a tough 100 miler, and if you are doing 30 miles at most currently, i wouldnt recommend it yet. You would probably find cycling c2c in a day easier than that to put it into perspective.