Training for a 100 mile sportive

mattsalt13

Hi all,

1st post so hi to everyone!

Started getting back into cycling this last 6 months or so, in that time gone from struggling to get round the block to a few 50-60 mile sportives

I've enjoyed it so much I have ditched the motorbike and sold my trusty cross bike to commute all week on a nice new Giant Defy 0.

To keep the motivation up over winter I really fancy a 100 mile sportive in spring 2013, something I want to do for charity too!

Does anyone have any good tips on making my way up to this kind of mileage?

I'm fairly handy on rolling rides, doing 48 miles in 2.38 and a more hilly 50 miler in 3 hours, the Defy i'm hoping will make me a lover of hills!!

I'm based in Nottingham so was thinking of this ride 100 one:

http://www.action.org.uk/warwick_100/100_mile_route

Any one done this before, and have any tips!?

I ride 60 miles in the week commuting and aim for a few longer rides of 40-50 miles every few weeks, sometimes grab a stolen evening for a brisk 35 miles

2 kids and a mrs with a large ironing pile means limited bike time!

thanks !! :P :P

djfleming22

Hi Matt... have not done any sportives but have done a few 100 milers last big one was 119 miles 2 Sundays ago then last Sunday did 101 miles i just leave early in the morning just get everything ready the night before map out a ride in goggle so you know the mileage and route and just go out and do it... so people don't take gels and a like but what i clifs blocks, energy drinks i try to drink about 750 mls every hour and then dried fruit like raisins or something.... i do like to munch on a protein bar every now and again just drink plenty enjoy the ride and take it nice and easy at the beginning and then later see how you feel ....just take your time and build up the time its take you to do the 100 miles and then later get better times .... plenty of people will also give you advice that have done alot more than me on here so best of luck

bahzob

This book is good for those training on limited time. It comes complete with plans for 100 mile rides.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Time-crunched-Cyclist-Powerful-Time-Crunched/dp/1934030473

You may be able to adapt it to your needs. Most of the workouts during the week are short in duration so you should be able to do on your commute back home if route/traffic conditions allow.

styxd

Yeh, dont waste your time training for it, you'll be able to ride 100 miles without any issues.

dw300

styxd wrote:

Yeh, dont waste your time training for it, you'll be able to ride 100 miles without any issues.

Awesome. Do you have an e-book that I can buy?

Southgate

Hi Matt

On the basis of your current mileage and times, you could do a century tomorrow morning. Ride it exactly the same as you would a 60 mile sportive, just slower. Eat pasta the night before, porridge in the morning, wear the right clothes for the weather, drink before you're thirsty, eat before you're hungry, stop and stretch if you need to, and focus on getting round not on getting a great time. Do that and you'll do just fine. Although it will hurt a bit.

If you want it to hurt less and also go faster, then yes you will need to do more training. You are already relatively quick for 50 miles (I'm guessing that you bash out your commute as fast as you can?), but obviously never having done any long rides, you lack endurance. Solution? Do long rides and do 'em regularly. By long I mean 50+ miles, and sometimes 75+ miles. You don't need to train all the way up to the full distance, but you should be comfortable doing three quarters of the mileage.

Strapped for time? Negotiate with the missus to let you out once a week on a Sunday morning for a long 'un. Buy her flowers. Do something for her. Tell her it makes you happy. Tell her it's for charity. Beg. Plead. Grovel.

We've all been there.

mattsalt13

Lol thanks Southgate

i think i'm set on endurance miles wise, just endurance with a lot hills is a struggle.

Recently did the Kilo to go white peak - 60 miles - which was really hard and almost all hilly... having done 80 miles about a month before I foolishly thought I was ready!

so i'm think few good long base rides and some 30-40 hilly rides to then build up to 70-80 rolling or hilly rides.

your right, I do love a good thrash to work, 8.43 miles in 24 mins is my best time

charlie_potatoes

I have ridden AMR sportives and they are very well organised. I am riding for them in the London ride100 next year.
They have a training guide on their website which will get you there or have a look on the British Cycling website for more comprehensive guides. Personally I would just make sure that you practise your hills and complete at least an 80 mile ride prior to the big day and you should be fine.
You could complete the ride tomorrow if you had to but its how you feel at the end of it that matters so its well worth putting in as much training as you can.

Good Luck

ETA Just read Southgates reply and realised I have more or less copied his post :oops:

smidsy

As you are Nottingham why not do the 100 mile route of this one

http://www.cyclelivenottingham.co.uk/

Couple of us are already booked so you could muck in with us and we can drag each other round.