Training advice for a 200 mile ride

Gazmania1
Gazmania1 Posts: 87
edited December 2013 in Training, fitness and health
I've committed to doing the Majorca 312 next April and was just wondering if anyone has done it/something similar and if so, how did you train for it? I'm doing some base endurance stuff at the moment which is just some longish rides in heart rate zone 2 or 3 so would you just continue doing this and extending the ride length? Any advice welcome.

Cheers

Comments

  • ju5t1n
    ju5t1n Posts: 2,028
    You get good at what you practise. Take a look at the Audax UK calendar, there are plenty of 200km events throughout the winter/spring. The first 300km ride is at the end of March
  • marcusjb
    marcusjb Posts: 2,412
    ^ basically that.

    Winter 200s are generally good sociable events with people typically sticking together more than in summer events.
    Stuff about riding a bike a long way
  • bahzob
    bahzob Posts: 2,195
    /\ Thirded. Audax is a great way to practice for events like this. Apart from the training you will meet up with folks with a wealth of experience who can offer practical advice and inspiration.

    Without wishing to downplay the challenge you are taking on, while difficult it is very doable. I havn't done it but have done a number of similar challenges. What you are doing at the moment is fine and you could pretty much continue doing that, increasing length and speed, up to the event itself.

    It's not nice but I would suggest forcing yourself to do some long rides when the weather is crap. A big part of challenges ike this is mental, it can help when doing them to have memories of torrid times you have overcome. Chances are you will hit a rough patch during the event, it can help pulling through this by having the thought in your head "this may be bad but it's nothing compared to the 100 I did in the driving rain last January".

    Along with the longer rides you would benefit from doing some shorter ones, of around 1-2 hours in the "sweetspot range". These can be done indoors if you like. Its described here, the other tips are relevant as well. http://www.hunterallenpowerblog.com/2013/11/four-keys-to-powerful-winter-training.html?utm_source=November+2013+Power+News&utm_campaign=November+Power+News&utm_medium=email

    Apart from this I don't think you need to do much shorter/intense workouts but if you fancy doing them for a change they won't do any harm.
    Martin S. Newbury RC
  • Gazmania1
    Gazmania1 Posts: 87
    Thanks guys, all seems like good advice...

Categories