100 miles and 10,000 ft

[rugby bloke]

Next week I will be riding from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela, my first multi day tour. The ride is organised by my company as a fundraiser for the our corporate charity. The route is "challenging" to say the least but day 2 jumps right off the page - 100 miles and 10,000 ft of climbing. Quick frankly a combination of numbers that I am still struggling to comprehend. I've completed the RideLondon 3 times, so the distance does not worry me too much. I would be interested to hear about people's experiences of that amount of climbing in a day.

 

[ianrauk]

The distance is fine. The climbing is fine. But both together in one go

 

[DCLane]

It's OK as long as you're fit enough. I've done similar quite often - this is the closest match I can find in the Etape du Dales: https://www.strava.com/activities/306489401

Feeding/hydrating properly and pacing yourself are key. 10000 feet = 3300m of climbing. Just don't race up the first and hobble up the rest.

 

[BrumJim]

The Kiddiminster Killer Audax is of that order. A very brutal day that took me 48 hours to recover from. 13 hours of riding, and very heavy legs at the end.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I think Ride London is about 4 or 5000 feet of climbing ? If you managed that that can you double the lumps - course you can.

 

[Sharky]

Be positive, if start & finish are the same, then you've got 10,000 ft of descending!

 

[alicat]

The most climbing I have done in a day was about 6000 ft. My hands hurt a lot from all the braking going downhill.

 

[bpsmith]

The most climbing I have done in a day was about 6000 ft. My hands hurt a lot from all the braking going downhill.

That’s where you’ve gone wrong. Don’t brake down hill.

 

[alicat]

Don’t brake down hill.

I've prided myself on reaching 57 and intend to keep going a bit longer, even at the cost of wasting energy braking!

 

[booze and cake]

You'll love it, sounds great fun. Like @Dogtrousers I'm in the SE so I don't get to do those numbers around here, unless I was Everesting Muswell Hill or something, but I die of boredom doing any kind of reps, and wouldn't consider such insanity.

I have done those numbers on rides, this one in Wales taking in Bwylch-y-Groes and the Horseshoe Pass was one: View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/436736


I'd say you will notice you average speed is lower than usual with all that climbing, no surprise there. Knowing how much climbing you'll be doing I'd advise taking the earlier climbs in an easier gear than you maybe normally would, and spin easily to the top, just treat it like a marathon not a sprint, and just keep eating and drinking to keep you properly fuelled. And make sure you got plenty of protection from the sun in what is obviously going to be a long day in the saddle, it could be proper scorchio. I did feel pretty tired and well stretched the day after my ride, you may also, but just think of the amazing views a ride like that has, you'll remember it for years, please take some photos to show us how it looks, have fun.

 

[oldfatfool]

Most i have done i think is 3934m over 115 km so 71 miles with 12900 feet of climbing. Top tip when climbing fo long periods make sure you keep your hands and fingers active otherwise after a couple of hours when you do need to change gear it is farking painfull.

 

[Jerry Atrik]

Are you doing the Camino del Norte route ?

 

[Milzy]

You will do it easily. I did the Fred then two weeks later the Struggle Dales. You will love it!!

 

[rugby bloke]

Thanks for all the responses. I can see it going to be tough but looking forward to the challenge. I'll post some updates and photos as an when I have the strength !

 

[ianrauk]

In 2016 myself & @rb58 were taken on a tour of the Spanish Sierra Nevada mountains by @Trickedem
One of the days we climbed the Pico del Veleta. Which is the highest paved road in Europe. It is just over 9000ft of climbing in 30 miles.

To be honest I really wasn't looking forward to the climb, and I think @rb58 thought the same. But once you get yourself into the correct mindset, take your time and enjoy the views, it does become strangely enjoyable.
We took our time as you can see from the average speed.
However, the great flip side of the climb was the descent with took an hour and 20 minutes...