Riding a century... well almost

[Awesymoto]

Forget the 100 miles in 100 days crap, I am doing a 90 mile ride Saturday.

I ride around 150 miles a week, with short 23 milers through steeper 6%-8% hills, and a little longer 45 milers in between. My longest ride is 60 miles which wasn't too bad. I average 19-21 on the flats depending on headwind solo, and 10-16mph on the hills, depending on grade...

Question for cyclists here... How screwed am I to ride basically a century in two days.... I'm A/D Military and have a high level of fitness, just have no idea as the longest ride I've done is only 2/3 of whats coming up.

I guess a positive is the M110's are coming out for some training this week.

 

[chansen49]

Re: Riding a century... well almost



If you get imputent, youll know why.

Ch

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Riding a century... well almost

Keep the pace somewhat easy for the first few hours. Feed and water the human engine. Keep the calories up and you'll be fine.

We typically do mostly 1 hr training rides with the 2.5-4 hour rides scattered in, yet were able to complete a 10.5 hour MTB ride (all above 9800' ASL) this summer by moderate pace, feeding, and watering.

 

[djacri]

Re: Riding a century... well almost

Good meal the night before ride and drink water. 3 hrs before ride eat a hardy breakfest. During ride drink ever 1/2hr, eat a gel every 1hr. Total ride time is less than 6hrs. Also stay off the front and let others due work.

 

[jbell]

Re: Riding a century... well almost

I dont ride the road, I keep it in the woods. But I would think it may be kinda similar, so here goes: I raced in a 12 hour mtn bike race a few months back and like you I am in very good physical condition. However my longest ride before the race was arounf 20 miles or so. I raced solo and was on a singlespeed so I had to leg it out plenty over the 12 hours. I did OK but plan on doing much better for the next one. I was able to get 63 miles in 11H 58min, I could of done prob 7 to 14 more miles if I had shorter "rest breaks".

As far as chow goes eat very well the week prior to the event kinda mini carb load all week as opposed to heavy carb load the night before. Keep your hydration up during the week as well. Have a good breakfast with protien and carbs in plenty of time before the start. I would grab some fruit just before. As far as during the event hydration controll is key. You must drink enough to stay hydrated but not too much eighter (everyone is different, I am a camel). I like to mix in some Pedialite with my H2O and maybe some Gatoraid too. During the event I like to eat semisolids: bananas are great and hammer the gel packs. You should try the specific brands and flavors of the gel packs before to make sure they digest well for you. I like the Honey Stinger the best. Also some protien is a good idea so you best bet will be in easy to chew bars or premixed drinks.

One other thing to think about is the logistics of this chow. Are you going to have to carry it or will you have it stationed or a follow vehicle. That is going to determine what you eat & drink and how much...

Sounds like a fun goal, good luck and enjoy.

 

[Awesymoto]

Re: Riding a century... well almost

I'll be wheel sucking for 99% of the ride, letting a guy on a tri bike lead (he's a beast) and the other two plan on pace lining with the 3rd. I have my hydration dialed to 1 drink every 15 min ~1 bottle an hour give or take 15 min depending on weather. I rotate gel packs and energy bars 30-30 so 1 bar and 1 gel an hour or so.

Were going out at an easier pace, but still plan on averaging 15-16. We have stops planned for H20 and a light chow break, and I'm psyched, but nervous. Everyone has rode a century before except myself....
edit: due to an error, its 100mi on the dot...

 

[Graham]

Re: Riding a century... well almost

Carb load with complex carbs the night before, and start hydrating now. Make sure you have plenty to eat: Enough to put some calories in your stomach every hour; and drink just shy of having the water slosh around in your stomach so that you don't cramp-up.

Good luck!!

 

[Awesymoto]

Re: Riding a century... well almost

WPHEWWW, just finished a wonderful century, 102.07 miles in 5:59:52 (ride time), UNDER 6 hours hahahah just barely.

ate 7 power gel packs, numerous triple threat power bars, 1/2 a bottle of coke, and drank a crapload of water. The ride was wonderful. Climbed roughly 5,000' total and had a wicked strong headwind for the last half. Luckily we had 4 together and averaged 17.0 mph through the flats and hills of the island Okinawa....

To top it all off we had a all hands for the island EOD xmas dinner as the final destination, with wonderful buffet and secret santa. Rode away full, with a ride back to base, and 2 bottles of moscato.

Life is good today.