Building up to longer distances

[Swifty]

Is there any specific way to build up to doing a 50 mile ride as I have seen a 50 mile sportive that I would like to take part in .do you just go further every time you go out or is there a more precise science to it .have done 40 miles a few times but not yet gone up to 50

 

[Citius]

Just ride an extra 10 miles next time out. Let's not over-think it...

 

[classic33]

Consider building up the number of trips being doing as opposed to just trying to increase distance per trip alone.

 

[ianrauk]

If you can do 40... you can do 50.
Especially in the company of other cyclists.
As someone has already said, don't over think it.

 

[gbb]

Sometimes its worth just backing off a mile or two per hour over a long ride. This allows you to feel far far fresher at the end of your normal distance, making that extra 10 miles a lot easier.

 

[13 rider]

Providing you weren't completely exhausted after 40 miles 50 miles seems quite achievable .Just don't off go to quick at the start and if you are riding in company you find it easier. Just put some miles in Dosn't have to be 50 miles try getting past 40 again and remember eat and drink

 

[Heisenberg71]

Just ride an extra 10 miles next time out. Let's not over-think it...

Clarity! Love it!

 

[gavgav]

Is there any specific way to build up to doing a 50 mile ride as I have seen a 50 mile sportive that I would like to take part in .do you just go further every time you go out or is there a more precise science to it .have done 40 miles a few times but not yet gone up to 50

The 1st time I did a sportive I kept building up in 5 mile blocks. I was already comfortable with 20 milers and so built up to 25, 30, 35, 40, etc, and wouldn't move onto the next 5 until the previous mark felt comfortable

 

[Citius]

The 1st time I did a sportive I kept building up in 5 mile blocks. I was already comfortable with 20 milers and so built up to 25, 30, 35, 40, etc, and wouldn't move onto the next 5 until the previous mark felt comfortable

Seriously no need for this when he is already knocking out 40 milers. Just ride the extra 10 miles, but ride it at 10% lower effort if you need to.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Just man the fark up and lube up aswell. Seriously, 10 miles on top of 40 is easy. Not so easy is not trying to be Froome on the day racing against all the other Froomes.

 

[StuartG]

The group thing is very important. You just go so much farther in company chatting without realising it. I have taken people who had maxed out on 25 miles and got them through 50. It was a bit of an effort for them but the smile that starts on passing the 45 mile marker and they realise THEY CAN DO IT conquers any pain. May be just the endorphins talking but who cares? A high is a high.

 

[Banjo]

Don't go further than 40 in training then you have a new goal to aim for on the day.
just do loads of riding ,mix it up some short fast rides and some longer steadier rides.
50 on a sportif will be easier than 40 on your own.

 

[Mile195]

You'll be fine, provided you stay hydrated and eat properly - if you don't that'll probably be the only reason you need to stop. Drink before you're thirsty, and eat before you're hungry. Keep gels or energy bars in your back pockets, and if you have two bottle holders I tend to keep one full of water, and the other full of a home-made isotonic drink (squash, sugar and a bit of salt - very quick and easy to make up the night before!) for a ride of that length or more.
I set my cycle computer to beep every 20 minutes to remind me to drink a little water.
Enjoy! Let us know how it goes....

 

[Dogtrousers]

If you need a bit of motivation to ride further - which isn't exactly what you asked, but anyway - one thing I do is search the map for something that looks a bit interesting. A windmill, say, or a viaduct, an amusing place name or something. Ride to that and back. Then find something else, a bit further away.

 

[Wolf616]

As people have said, an extra 10 miles shouldn't hurt you.

Make sure to warm up properly and stretch before/after, though, as I find that after doing a longer distance than I am used to my muscles are prone to those jarring moments where, as you get up off of the sofa, it feels as if they are going to suddenly snap in two (particularly my hamstrings!). Then again, I have the tightest leg muscles known to humankind, so perhaps I'm just over-careful.