Five weeks to London. Too late to train?

Dippydog2

Five weeks to go to the big day in London which will be my first 100 miler ever.

I have put in the miles this year (over 3000) and I have done several 60 milers and a couple of 80 milers.
With unlimited time to ride (retired early at 60) I was wondering what sort of training I should do over the coming weeks to help me perform better on the day.

I normally average 15mph on local terrain with most rides having about double the climbing per mile that Ride London has. Coupling that with adrenalin on the day and riding in a large group I am thinking that 17mph aversge should be possible giving me a time of less than six hours. That would be great.

So, do I concentrate on losing a bit more weight (still plenty to spare), long distance rides, hill repeats or whatever. So far this year I have been riding for an hour or three several times a week. That seems to feel right, but as I have never done anything different I don't know.

I know the easy answer is to work on my weaknesses, but I could be faster on the flat, quicker up hills, sharper at sprinting and better aerobically, so it's not like I have any particular strengths!

Thanks.

Of course I will eat right, get sleep and cut back on wine (well maybe not cut back on wine).

freezing77

I would not get too obsessive about speed. Just get in a group whose speed you are comfortable with.

As to the rest just keep riding your bike but do not overdo it in the week prior to the event.

Dippydog2

freezing77 wrote:

I would not get too obsessive about speed. Just get in a group whose speed you are comfortable with.

As to the rest just keep riding your bike but do not overdo it in the week prior to the event.

Thanks. I normally concentrated on heart rare when riding. I know what my limits are.

Just not sure how to focus my efforts. I can just keep riding, but should I do four two hour sessions a week, or two four hour. Or six one hour intense........

JayKosta

Dippydog2 wrote:

...
I have put in the miles this year (over 3000) and I have done several 60 milers and a couple of 80 milers.
...

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I suggest doing same as you have been, without any extra training effort - you already have good basic fitness adequate for 100 miles. And you know how to pace yourself for long rides.

Attempting extra training might only result in fatigue and possibly injury.

On the 100 mile event, just make sure to eat and drink regularly, and ride at a comfortable pace - you'll be fine.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA
(age 66 in a month)

Dippydog2

JayKosta wrote:

Dippydog2 wrote:

...
I have put in the miles this year (over 3000) and I have done several 60 milers and a couple of 80 milers.
...

---

I suggest doing same as you have been, without any extra training effort - you already have good basic fitness adequate for 100 miles. And you know how to pace yourself for long rides.

Attempting extra training might only result in fatigue and possibly injury.

On the 100 mile event, just make sure to eat and drink regularly, and ride at a comfortable pace - you'll be fine.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA
(age 66 in a month)

Thanks Jay. Good point on the injury thing, I hadn't considered that. Niggles do seem to take longer to go wash when you're older.

Perhaps just a little less wine. No risk of injury doing that.

birdie23

I'd say just do something like 1 x 60 miler and a 2/3 20 or 30 milers for the first four weeks and then a week of easy 20/30s.

You've already put in double the miles I have this year so you're going to be there in top form!

The only other thing I'd be looking at is just finding out what food and drink you're going to want on the day - making sure your choices digest well when cycling etc.

Good luck on the day! I'll be there aiming to get as close as I can to 5 hours. Going to be tough I think!

cougie

Learn to ride wheels and you'll fly round.