500 Miles in 5 Days

dennisn

Grill wrote:

dennisn wrote:

Grill wrote:

You're quite the dream-crusher, aren't you Dennis...

It really is no bother and perfectly achievable. I've done it a few times (once on my TT bike). Did it in Mallorca along with a few others in my club (who had diddly squat for base mileage). Mental fortitude is the most important part of any ride as the physical side is easy enough to overcome as long as you don't spend most of your day in the red.

@OP- Up your base mileage and get used to the saddle. There are lots of audexes out there that will help you achieve your goal.

Love your comment about "no bother".

Yes I can be a "dream crusher". You guys seem awfully worried about me, the lone dream crusher, being able to win out over all your "any macho man / tough guy can do this" thinking.

You're 'murcan. You should be all like "go big or go home".

The human body is a wonderful machine that still surprises me to this day. A little encouragement goes a long way even if in his current state the OP is woefully unprepared.

So, it really isn't "no bother"? The OP may in fact be "woefully unprepared"? If doing a ride like this only involves a bit of training and a little encouragement why are you NOT riding the TDF this year? All you need to do is train just a bit more than you do now and have a couple people tell you how great you are. No bother. Add to that the fact that you will have zero doubts and fears going into the tour. What could be easier?

meanredspider

dennisn wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

So coincidentally I found this quote on a bit of cycling clothing I have:

According to Team Sky's psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters, the athlete brain is a natural habitat for Chimps and Gremlins. Both of which need management or removal if a rider is to reach their goal. The 'Chimps' are those emotional machines in our head that can cause doubts and fear to creep in. 'Gremlins' are unhelpful thoughts and behaviours that need to be removed before success can be realised. Dr Peters' job is to work with the riders of Team Sky to be sure there are no Chimps or Gremlins unknowingly signing in a race start

The people who end up dropping out simply haven't prepared themselves physically and, probably more importantly, mentally and emotionally for what they're going to do.

So, you're admitting that people do have "Chimps and Gremlins" and that they can cause people to lose sight of the goal? I thought that it was all "no bother"?

As for "...people who...haven't prepared themselves....". Gee, no kidding. :roll:

Sounds to me like you've just admitted that most people(unlike yourself) have fears, questions, and demons(if you will) lurking around them. Not acknowledging them is the worst thing you can do.

I think you're getting confused with your "no bother" statements :roll:

Anyhow, my point (over and over and over) is that you need to get rid of your doubts and be positive BEFORE you go riding. Your point seems to be "give up before you've even started because you're going to fail". See the difference? For sure I have doubts at first and I use those in a positive way to drive my preparation - this is perfectly normal. Take my 6 rides up Alpe D'Huez later this year as an example.
Doubt: I'm too fat Action: lose weight
Doubt: I'm not fit enough Action: Put in place a training plan
Doubt: My endurance isn't good enough Action: build my base endurance with some century rides
..and so on. By June I plan to be ready physically, mentally and emotionally. Then, on the day, I'll enjoy it. It'll be hard - it's meant to be hard - but I won't be questioning myself. I've done infinitely harder things in my life - things for which I had no choice, no preparation, no experience and for which I simply couldn't give up. We're talking about a group bike ride here and the OP is preparing for it.

And some of us, at least, are trying to help.

Grill

Now you're just being silly. The only 'bother' is the time investment as that's what is required to prepare. The actual riding of the bike part isn't difficult. Suggesting I should be pursuing a pro career is a poor attempt at trolling. There is a massive difference between riding consecutive 100 mile days at a comfortable pace and a pro peloton pace (50+kph).

Perhaps if you spent more time running your legs instead of your mouth you wouldn't be so pessimistic about your cycling (or others for that matter).

dennisn

meanredspider wrote:

dennisn wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

So coincidentally I found this quote on a bit of cycling clothing I have:

According to Team Sky's psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters, the athlete brain is a natural habitat for Chimps and Gremlins. Both of which need management or removal if a rider is to reach their goal. The 'Chimps' are those emotional machines in our head that can cause doubts and fear to creep in. 'Gremlins' are unhelpful thoughts and behaviours that need to be removed before success can be realised. Dr Peters' job is to work with the riders of Team Sky to be sure there are no Chimps or Gremlins unknowingly signing in a race start

The people who end up dropping out simply haven't prepared themselves physically and, probably more importantly, mentally and emotionally for what they're going to do.

So, you're admitting that people do have "Chimps and Gremlins" and that they can cause people to lose sight of the goal? I thought that it was all "no bother"?

As for "...people who...haven't prepared themselves....". Gee, no kidding. :roll:

Sounds to me like you've just admitted that most people(unlike yourself) have fears, questions, and demons(if you will) lurking around them. Not acknowledging them is the worst thing you can do.

I think you're getting confused with your "no bother" statements :roll:

Anyhow, my point (over and over and over) is that you need to get rid of your doubts and be positive BEFORE you go riding. Your point seems to be "give up before you've even started because you're going to fail". See the difference? For sure I have doubts at first and I use those in a positive way to drive my preparation - this is perfectly normal. Take my 6 rides up Alpe D'Huez later this year as an example.
Doubt: I'm too fat Action: lose weight
Doubt: I'm not fit enough Action: Put in place a training plan
Doubt: My endurance isn't good enough Action: build my base endurance with some century rides
..and so on. By June I plan to be ready physically, mentally and emotionally. Then, on the day, I'll enjoy it. It'll be hard - it's meant to be hard - but I won't be questioning myself. I've done infinitely harder things in my life - things for which I had no choice, no preparation, no experience and for which I simply couldn't give up. We're talking about a group bike ride here and the OP is preparing for it.

And some of us, at least, are trying to help.

You've come a long way by admitting that people have doubts about themselves. Not that you do of course but....

dennisn

Grill wrote:

The actual riding of the bike part isn't difficult. Suggesting I should be pursuing a pro career is a poor attempt at trolling. There is a massive difference between riding consecutive 100 mile days at a comfortable pace and a pro peloton pace (50+kph).

If the "actual riding" of a 500 mile tour" isn't difficult", why do I seem to recall seeing most of the sag wagons(on The Bike Tour of Colorado) full of people and bikes? After all it's not difficult? These were sag wagons that carried 10-15 people and their bikes(on a trailer) and there were maybe 6 or 8 of them. Usually always full on the long uphill sections. Why do you think this seemed to be the way it was almost daily?

As for trolling, well, I don't think so. You claim the riding isn't difficult. Surely someone with you abilities would do well in the pro ranks. Give it a try. What are you afraid of? Or are you looking to ride at "a comfortable pace"? That doesn't sound like someone with no fear or doubts. 50+kph should be no bother for you.

Grill

dennisn wrote:

Grill wrote:

The actual riding of the bike part isn't difficult. Suggesting I should be pursuing a pro career is a poor attempt at trolling. There is a massive difference between riding consecutive 100 mile days at a comfortable pace and a pro peloton pace (50+kph).

If the "actual riding" of a 500 mile tour" isn't difficult", why do I seem to recall seeing most of the sag wagons(on The Bike Tour of Colorado) full of people and bikes? After all it's not difficult? These were sag wagons that carried 10-15 people and their bikes(on a trailer) and there were maybe 6 or 8 of them. Usually always full on the long uphill sections. Why do you think this seemed to be the way it was almost daily?

As for trolling, well, I don't think so. You claim the riding isn't difficult. Surely someone with you abilities would do well in the pro ranks. Give it a try. What are you afraid of? Or are you looking to ride at "a comfortable pace"? That doesn't sound like someone with no fear or doubts. 50+kph should be no bother for you.

You know, I couldn't tell you. That route is quite hilly and perhaps people were caught out with the wrong gearing or perhaps Americans are just soft, but as I wasn't there I'm in no position to speculate.

Even the members of my club that ride the slow ride once a week (40-50 miles) were easily able to knock out 400+ miles in Mallorca. I don't actually recall hearing anything about tired legs either, everyone was just happy to ride.

Again, your goading is pointless. Not only am I not remotely close to a pro level rider, but even if I were I have neither the desire nor the aspiration for the grandeurs of racing. I cycle for the love, not the plaudits. I have only one 'race' on the calendar this year (I don't really count TT's) and it's because it's unique and adventurous. Whether I finish first or last makes no difference.

dennisn

Grill wrote:

.

That route is quite hilly and perhaps people were caught out with the wrong gearing or perhaps Americans are just soft, but as I wasn't there I'm in no position to speculate.

You're in no position to speculate as to why lots of riders fail to complete a 6 day, 500 mile ride over a bunch of 11,000 foot mountain passes? I think not. You know why. C'mon. Because it's NOT "no bother" or "a piece of cake" or "you just need a positive attitude" or "anyone can do it with minimal training". I've seen plenty of "positive attitudes" and "minimal training" almost, literally, have people begging for the sag wagon to show up. I don't know how many times I've heard people say "I can't do this, I thought I could but I can't". Now most of these people you could tell by looking at them that they had bitten off a whole lot more than they could chew. Another common thread among them was that a friend told them they could do it. Another was most of them said they had ridden a 100 miler a few times before this ride. Never the less they bailed on some or all of this tour.

There are 3 groups of people that I see doing the Bike Tour of Colorado.
First the guys out there to train and maybe ever race sections of the course with buddies. They have few issues.
Second, the people like myself, who just like being in Colorado and possibly proving something to themselves. They have some issues and moan and groan sometimes but usually complete the ride.
Thirdly, the people who come without really thinking about what they have signed up for. Someone told them they should try it. They are the ones who sag it a lot, sometimes on a daily basis. They go home burnt out and discouraged.
What do these three groups have in common? Positive mental attitude. At least at first.

meanredspider

dennisn wrote:

You've come a long way by admitting that people have doubts about themselves. Not that you do of course but....

Show me where I said people don't have doubts about themselves and I'll give you that one....

Grill, is right though - you're just trolling. You've added nothing to this discussion just shown up your own inadequacies.

dennisn

meanredspider wrote:

Or, he could just say "That looks a bit difficult - I might fail - I won't even enter". The world is full of people like that who never came close to achieving their potential.

Please note that the world is also full of people who have said or been told that they can do this or that and fell well short of that goal. They may or may not try again. That's not my call.

dennisn

meanredspider wrote:

dennisn wrote:

You've come a long way by admitting that people have doubts about themselves. Not that you do of course but....

Show me where I said people don't have doubts about themselves and I'll give you that one....

So you've had doubts about your abilities? Have you had doubts about your cycling abilities?
I know I have, but I keep plugging along. Let's hope the OP can keep "plugging along" on this venture.

meanredspider

dennisn wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Or, he could just say "That looks a bit difficult - I might fail - I won't even enter". The world is full of people like that who never came close to achieving their potential.

Please note that the world is also full of people who have said or been told that they can do this or that and fell well short of that goal. They may or may not try again. That's not my call.

And I can be certain there's far more people that failed because they never tried than failed because they fell well short. And even the people that failed because they fell well short learned something. The people that never tried learned nothing.

dennisn

meanredspider wrote:

dennisn wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Or, he could just say "That looks a bit difficult - I might fail - I won't even enter". The world is full of people like that who never came close to achieving their potential.

Please note that the world is also full of people who have said or been told that they can do this or that and fell well short of that goal. They may or may not try again. That's not my call.

And I can be certain there's far more people that failed because they never tried than failed because they fell well short. And even the people that failed because they fell well short learned something. The people that never tried learned nothing.

Absolutely.

meanredspider

dennisn wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

dennisn wrote:

You've come a long way by admitting that people have doubts about themselves. Not that you do of course but....

Show me where I said people don't have doubts about themselves and I'll give you that one....

So you've had doubts about your abilities? Have you had doubts about your cycling abilities?
I know I have, but I keep plugging along. Let's hope the OP can keep "plugging along" on this venture.

I told you I do and I use them to prepare. I then enjoy the ride. I don't have doubts on the ride itself - what's the point?

meanredspider

dennisn wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

dennisn wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Or, he could just say "That looks a bit difficult - I might fail - I won't even enter". The world is full of people like that who never came close to achieving their potential.

Please note that the world is also full of people who have said or been told that they can do this or that and fell well short of that goal. They may or may not try again. That's not my call.

And I can be certain there's far more people that failed because they never tried than failed because they fell well short. And even the people that failed because they fell well short learned something. The people that never tried learned nothing.

Absolutely.

And yet you're telling the OP not to try.....? I'm now very confused

Grill

dennisn wrote:

Grill wrote:

.

That route is quite hilly and perhaps people were caught out with the wrong gearing or perhaps Americans are just soft, but as I wasn't there I'm in no position to speculate.

You're in no position to speculate as to why lots of riders fail to complete a 6 day, 500 mile ride over a bunch of 11,000 foot mountain passes? I think not. You know why. C'mon. Because it's NOT "no bother" or "a piece of cake" or "you just need a positive attitude" or "anyone can do it with minimal training". I've seen plenty of "positive attitudes" and "minimal training" almost, literally, have people begging for the sag wagon to show up. I don't know how many times I've heard people say "I can't do this, I thought I could but I can't". Now most of these people you could tell by looking at them that they had bitten off a whole lot more than they could chew. Another common thread among them was that a friend told them they could do it. Another was most of them said they had ridden a 100 miler a few times before this ride. Never the less they bailed on some or all of this tour.

There are 3 groups of people that I see doing the Bike Tour of Colorado.
First the guys out there to train and maybe ever race sections of the course with buddies. They have few issues.
Second, the people like myself, who just like being in Colorado and possibly proving something to themselves. They have some issues and moan and groan sometimes but usually complete the ride.
Thirdly, the people who come without really thinking about what they have signed up for. Someone told them they should try it. They are the ones who sag it a lot, sometimes on a daily basis. They go home burnt out and discouraged.
What do these three groups have in common? Positive mental attitude. At least at first.

You mean a 7 day (1 day for rest) 394 mile ride with 25k ft of climbing? Come on, there are loads of 600km audaxes out here like that. The Bryan Chapman does that distance and elevation over the course of 40 hours. One of my friends did it even though she'd never done close to that distance. She started with a 200k at the beginning of the year then did a 300k and 400k. By the time the BCM rolled around in May she was able to complete it with time to spare (and was even able to grab a nap). If a 40 year old woman without a lot of mileage in her legs can build up to it it in just 4 months, then anyone can.

Instead of telling people what they can't do why don't you give them the tools to succeed?

dennisn

Grill wrote:

Instead of telling people what they can't do why don't you give them the tools to succeed?

Not sure I ever said he couldn't do it. I voiced the opinion that it was gonna be hard.

Not sure why you think that me giving him some idea of what would happen out there is not part of the tools to succeed.
You remind me of the old joke about being in the military. "Every day a holiday, every meal a banquet". I seem to have experienced something quite different. They never sugar coated anything. If you were headed for a war zone nobody was telling you "no bother" or everything would be OK.
I think you guys give the OP less credit than I do. You want to cajole, pat him on the back, assure him he will be alright. Me, I think he's smarter than that and actually knows he's in for a tough go. Just a guess, on my part, but I think he may see through you. You seem to treat him like a little kid you're trying to talk into doing something. He's an adult and deserves better. The sugar coating on most things just doesn't last that long.
Something like this might be easy for you but you've got to know in your heart that cycling is not everyones cup of tea and can be very difficult for others. I see no problem in mentioning this. I ski fairly well but sure don't go around telling people, who've never done it, that it's "no bother". That's just flat out lying.

Grill

I don't even know why you're on this forum as clearly you don't like cycling. All your 'advice' is negative. You say that most cyclists are happy to get off the bike and that after one century you won't be able to face another. I've honestly never faced this type of mentality in the cycling community and it's not a prevalent US attitude (I lived there for over 25 years), so must be that you have some sort of chip on your shoulder. You need to browse the pages of YACF and see that there are a lot of us that relish every aspect of the ride because it's all part of the experience of cycling. Whether it be changing a flat in pissing cold rain, having to walk up a 25% climb or vomiting in a hedge from some dodgy cafe stodge.

I have a friend who did LEJOG in a week with some friends for charity. He bought a bike, rode a little and completed the ride no problem. All this in the span of a few months. His longest ride until then was only 50 miles. So yes, it can be done and it isn't as hard as you make out.

Oh and I lived in the French Alpes for 7 years, so the whole skiing thing is also 'no bother'.

TFC1

Thanks for the responses (well mopst of them anyway). By way of update on the training i have upped it over the last few weeks and with the better weather have been doing tow or three evenings a week at averaging about 20 miles. Pace is improving to between 15 and 16 mph and last weekend did 60 miles with a pal on my first accompanied ride and finished it averaging 15.6mph and it felt great. i think the improved weather, nutrition and actually getting out there with someone else as opposed to solo definitely helped.

Really now loking to up it over the last two months so thanks again for all the tips and with just under 100 of us doing the ride i am sure there will be a few like me doing it at a more leisurley pace near the back!

nweststeyn

Dennis, you are an angry, angry man aren't you

All I see from you on this forum is posts saying things are rubbish. Maybe we all live in a dream world where everything is rosy and false but at least we aren't in a constant foul mood

dennisn

nweststeyn wrote:

Dennis, you are an angry, angry man aren't you

All I see from you on this forum is posts saying things are rubbish. Maybe we all live in a dream world where everything is rosy and false but at least we aren't in a constant foul mood

I think everyone is overlooking one thing. You mentioned it in your post. It's called a "forum". One of the things that I have always thought forums were about was something called "Point - Counterpoint", to sort of steal a title from Huxley.
It sort of makes me chuckle that you all seem to think you know all about me simply because you have read some things I have posted on a forum. You don't know me. If I had written 100 books you still would not know me.
I sort of came to fame(if you will) on the Pro Race / Lance Armstrong portion of this forum.
I noticed that literally everyone was of the opinion that LA was, at best, the spawn of Satan, nowhere near deserving of being called human, had ruined cycling for everyone, and could be called every name in the book. So I decided to play devils advocate just for the fun of it.
This immediately started a barrage or hate mail directed at me and everyone assuming I was a Lance Fanboy of the highest order. To this day I believe that they still think this. Or at least want to believe it, and that's fine with me. Here again they think they know me.
If I have one fault in life it's that I tend to take people for what they say. If you make a statement I take it that it's what you feel and you're not just trying to push my buttons. Although I do realize that this happens, I tend to treat it as what you're feeling. Sorry, but I rant on.
Back on topic. Am I an "angry, angry man"? No, not that I know of. Then again I am getting older and we all know how that works.
I think the difference between us is that you want to encourage the OP in this endeavor by telling him how easy it's going to be. Me? I've done plenty of things like this in my life and have come to the conclusion that if these type of things were easy and "no bother" that the whole world would be out there doing them These things a not easy(unless you're "grill") and I see no reason to not say otherwise. At least it adds an opposing voice to the proceedings, which, like the Lance portion of this forum, sorely needs at least one differing voice.
Don't know about you but there are things in cycling that are, how shall I say it, not pleasant. i.e. struggling over Independence Pass in a cold rain and not having quite enough clothing, changing a flat on a very hot, very humid, insect infested day, descending Loveland Pass in a mixture of hail and snow, wondering if you can keep you bike on the road and not slide over the edge while you descend said pass.
Do I let these things bother me? Only when they are happening. Anyone who says things like that are great and they can't wait, hasn't changed that flat on a horrifically hot day while getting eaten alive by mosquitoes.

marcusjb

TFC1 wrote:

Thanks for the responses (well mopst of them anyway). By way of update on the training i have upped it over the last few weeks and with the better weather have been doing tow or three evenings a week at averaging about 20 miles. Pace is improving to between 15 and 16 mph and last weekend did 60 miles with a pal on my first accompanied ride and finished it averaging 15.6mph and it felt great. i think the improved weather, nutrition and actually getting out there with someone else as opposed to solo definitely helped.

Really now loking to up it over the last two months so thanks again for all the tips and with just under 100 of us doing the ride i am sure there will be a few like me doing it at a more leisurley pace near the back!

That's getting better.

We're having a fairly mild spring, so far, and that will definitely help. Clocks go forward in a couple of weeks. Getting a decent ride in after work becomes easier.

Try convincing your mate to join you on back to back days - 60 or so miles on two days - see how you feel. You'll be amazed what a decent night's sleep will do for your legs. So many times, I have crawled into a bed feeling utterly battered and a few hours later, I am back on the road flying along.

Maybe over the long Easter weekend or something try for a couple of really long days - they don't have to be a century, but if you got a couple of 80-90 mile days under your belt, you're there. It will really help you work out what food and drink is good for you.

Don't overly stress about speed - just make sure the pace is comfortable and you're leaving something in the legs for next day.

You sound positive - and really that is half the battle.

dennisn

marcusjb wrote:

TFC1 wrote:

Thanks for the responses (well mopst of them anyway). By way of update on the training i have upped it over the last few weeks and with the better weather have been doing tow or three evenings a week at averaging about 20 miles. Pace is improving to between 15 and 16 mph and last weekend did 60 miles with a pal on my first accompanied ride and finished it averaging 15.6mph and it felt great. i think the improved weather, nutrition and actually getting out there with someone else as opposed to solo definitely helped.

Really now loking to up it over the last two months so thanks again for all the tips and with just under 100 of us doing the ride i am sure there will be a few like me doing it at a more leisurley pace near the back!

You sound positive - and really that is half the battle.

I couldn't agree more.

marcusjb

dennisn wrote:

marcusjb wrote:

TFC1 wrote:

Thanks for the responses (well mopst of them anyway). By way of update on the training i have upped it over the last few weeks and with the better weather have been doing tow or three evenings a week at averaging about 20 miles. Pace is improving to between 15 and 16 mph and last weekend did 60 miles with a pal on my first accompanied ride and finished it averaging 15.6mph and it felt great. i think the improved weather, nutrition and actually getting out there with someone else as opposed to solo definitely helped.

Really now loking to up it over the last two months so thanks again for all the tips and with just under 100 of us doing the ride i am sure there will be a few like me doing it at a more leisurley pace near the back!

You sound positive - and really that is half the battle.

I couldn't agree more.

:roll:

dennisn

marcusjb wrote:

dennisn wrote:

marcusjb wrote:

TFC1 wrote:

Thanks for the responses (well mopst of them anyway). By way of update on the training i have upped it over the last few weeks and with the better weather have been doing tow or three evenings a week at averaging about 20 miles. Pace is improving to between 15 and 16 mph and last weekend did 60 miles with a pal on my first accompanied ride and finished it averaging 15.6mph and it felt great. i think the improved weather, nutrition and actually getting out there with someone else as opposed to solo definitely helped.

Really now loking to up it over the last two months so thanks again for all the tips and with just under 100 of us doing the ride i am sure there will be a few like me doing it at a more leisurley pace near the back!

You sound positive - and really that is half the battle.

I couldn't agree more.

:roll:

In case you were wondering, and it would seem that you are, I do, really, agree with your "HALF the battle". Give or take a percentage point or two.

meanredspider

To the OP: you're doing exactly the right thing and, as has been stated, don't worry about speed (though it's nice to feel yourself getting faster). As the air warms up it gets less dense and is easier to ride through. Focus on getting longer rides in to build your endurance and practice feeding and drinking.

To dennisn, I haven't pretended to know you (100 books or not) and asked several times why you've taken the position you have. You have just ignored those questions. I think you need to be careful if you're just aiming to be the counterpoint: you're just coming across as a troll. I've had my views changed on these forums by well-argued and balanced points - rarely (never?) by anybody who comes across as a troll.

dennisn

meanredspider wrote:

To dennisn, I haven't pretended to know you (100 books or not) and asked several times why you've taken the position you have. You have just ignored those questions. I think you need to be careful if you're just aiming to be the counterpoint: you're just coming across as a troll.

I'm thinking my mind may have been on "grill" when I talked about not knowing me.

Thought I explained myself fairly well on why I've taken the view I have, but feel free to ask again if I've missed something or been elusive.

As for counterpoint, I'll stick to my guns and say that point - counterpoint is the very essence of a forum. You, and others, present your beautiful, blissful, pie in the sky, no bother, view of cycling. Me, I'm saying that there are many times when you may question the wisdom of what you're doing. i.e changing a flat in 100 degree humid heat while getting eaten alive by mosquitos. Call me crazy but the "bliss" in something like that eludes me.
It makes a good story to tell the guys, for a few laughs, but if it never happened again you wouldn't be sorry.

As for me being a troll. You have two options. Call me troll and ignore me. That's easy enough. Or take my comments as actual ideas on the subject. Up to you.

meanredspider

The bit that makes you look like a troll is that you don't respond to the points made and not even look as though you actually read what's written. You picked up on an over-simplified point ("no bother") then just hammered on about it to all of us. You asked me if I ever had doubts after I'd listed a load of doubts that I'm using to prepare myself right now, for instance. If you believe in point - counterpoint then you need to get a bit more practice (I can hear the groans now..)

Let's be clear that fixing a flat in 100deg or horizontal sleet is never fun - but then it doesn't matter if you're doing a 10-mile commute or a century. In fact the flats I've had on century rides are closer to the chance for a break and less of a hinderance than those on my commute. But I'd prefer to get neither. And, yes, you can laugh about them later. I actually believe these things make you mentally tougher over time.

sticky88

A little like the OP, I bought my first road bike Oct 2013 for a challenge coming up in June. I haven't been on a bike for 20 years. I'll be cycling 500+ miles from Paris to Leeds over a 6 day period, I don't know how I'm going to do it or manage it, and I'm getting quite scared, but the determination is there, and I am willing to train to get there, although I'm a total novice to cycling and the training required. I therefore found this thread extremely useful, especially on the 1st page! I now realise I have a lot to do to up my game, but at no point reading through this thread was I discouraged by any of the posts. I see the so-called 'negative' posts as a warning that I should prepare myself adequately now before the actual journey.

Thanks everyrone, really appreciate this cycling forum!

hypster

TFC1 and now sticky88,

I have been cycling seriously for over 25 years and have done many century+ sportives over the years but never 5 on consecutive days so first of all kudos for taking this on! I have signed up for the Marmotte (again) this year so I know a bit about suffering on a bike. :shock:

I would say that as suggested by others for training you need to be doing as much mileage as possible but also shorter, higher intensity rides like hill repeats and intervals will help too. In the way that marathon runners rarely need to run the marathon distance in practice, in order to do a century ride you don't need to be covering more than about 80 miles. That said, it would be useful I think if you could do a couple of longer rides back-to-back on say a Saturday and Sunday when your training is further along. Also maybe enter one or two of the century sportives which abound in the country now. Not only would this give you an indication of how you are likely to feel but will allow you to practice important things like your nutrition, hydration and recovery strategy over the longer distances.

On that last point, riding five century rides on consecutive days, recovery is going to be very important to enable you to even drag yourself out of bed on days 3 and 4, I would say. One thing you do need to do immediately after every ride is have a recovery drink consisting of a mix of carbohydrate, protein and amino acids etc. “For Goodness Shakes” is a good one and comes in convenient powder sachets available from suppliers like Wiggle.

You will also need to eat a decent meal a couple of hours or so later with plenty of carbohydrate and some low fat protein source like chicken.

Best of luck with the training and the event and come back when you have completed it and let us know how you got on.

TFC1

Thanks for that. I have been reading up on the nutrition side and luckily my wife is a bit of an expert on that so i am not doing to bad on the before and after eating. I have ordered the For Goodness Shakes and am now improving the nutrition on the ride itself which has definitely helped.

I am definitely going to start incorporating the hill repeat training over the next month or so which sounds like a really good way of doing higher intensity shorter rides!