Training for epic tour mileage advice?

[Wheelspinner]

Background... I'm mid 60s, in decent aerobic condition but have the typical age deterioration issues with joints and nerves in particular. A motoring analogy is that the engine is in good nick, but the chassis... not so much. :-)

I'm considering signing up for an epic cycling holiday next year, which is at the distinctly luxury end of the spectrum. Support van to carry your stuff, and all organised from an accommodation and meals perspective. Just turn up and ride, basically. The tour is roughly 3,200 km over about 5 weeks, and includes a *LOT* of climbing through the French and Italian Alps. Excluding the rest days, the stats are an average of a bit over 100km per day and 1100 metres elevation gain (!).

I'd appreciate any input about what might be a reasonable training plan that would put me in position to survive such a trip? Is total mileage more important, or should I focus more on the climbing challenge? Or just ride as much as I can and see where that leaves me? I currently do 6-700 km a month just road riding, but that's over relatively easy terrain round here in combo with virtual miles on the Tacx app road courses.

Anyone done such a trip (in mileage terms) and what did you do to prepare for it?

TIA

 

[DCLane]

If you're doing 6-700km a month, how often does that include consecutive/multi-day distances with climbing? That'd be what I would focus on, building up steadily.

 

[geocycle]

It sounds to me as though you are doing plenty of core miles and will probably be fine. The climbs are always going to be a challenge but it can be helpful to have had some recent climbs you can use as inspiration. The average of 1100m is pretty standard for anyone living in the hillier parts of Britain, whereas the major alpine passes are much longer but not always steeper. Never any harm in getting some more hills in you legs.

 

[Wheelspinner]

If you're doing 6-700km a month, how often does that include consecutive/multi-day distances with climbing? That'd be what I would focus on, building up steadily.

I generally do somewhere between 40-60 km rides every other day, rather than consecutive days too often. But the climbing stats are the big difference - even the "toughest" course round here barely ticks that elevation number.

Might try shifting my routine around to do 3 days on, 1 off for a couple weeks and see what breaks.. :-)

 

[Wheelspinner]

It sounds to me as though you are doing plenty of core miles and will probably be fine. The climbs are always going to be a challenge but it can be helpful to have had some recent climbs you can use as inspiration. The average of 1100m is pretty standard for anyone living in the hillier parts of Britain, whereas the major alpine passes are much longer but not always steeper. Never any harm in getting some more hills in you legs.

I've tackled a few virtual courses on the Tacx system that have been pretty hilly, and think I do "ok". Looks like I better take some MTFU pills and do some more then..

 

[Tigerbiten]

I used to do 3-4 days on/ 1 off doing around 30-40 miles a day for around 6 weeks to get fit for long tours. Then I averaged around 50 miles a day while on 5 month camping tour. On tour week 1 was easy due to fresh legs, weeks 2-3 was always the hardest due to accumulated fatigue, after that it slowly got easier as I cycled myself fitter up to week 6 when I got tour fit.

 

[oxoman]

Your already relatively fit WS, so just add more consecutive rides and if possible a bit more climbing. These tours tend to cater for most riders fitnesses. Except totally unfit which your not. You won't be biking everyday as they will build in rest days. Given the mileage it's easily done at a steady pace given its not a race, your not carrying anything apart from essentials. I'm assuming they're providing the bikes given whereabouts you are, so the bikes will be suitably geared IMHO. They want your repeat custom so they won't set you up to fail. Alot of these tour operators will also have a training plan built in as well. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Webbo2]

Wheel spinner lives in Tasmania

 

[presta]

What speed is the tour, and can you keep up with others? Bear in mind that if you're going to keep it up every day for 5 weeks, your touring speed will have to be slower than your training speed. (I used to train at 12-13mph, and tour at 8-9mph.)

 

[Dogtrousers]

Sounds fantastic.

I have no useful advice other than to say - try to keep your training enjoyable. The word "training" sounds like a chore. "Going for a ride" sounds like fun, so try to go for rides that happen to match your objectives.

 

[fossyant]

You should be fine on what you are doing. Maybe get some longer rides in. Pay attention to the bikes gearing.

 

[Wheelspinner]

What speed is the tour, and can you keep up with others? Bear in mind that if you're going to keep it up every day for 5 weeks, your touring speed will have to be slower than your training speed. (I used to train at 12-13mph, and tour at 8-9mph.)

From what I can tell, the pace is fairly leisurely. The intent is sightseeing and food/culture as much as miles. I’m not too fussed about keeping up or even having to wait for others, more just concerned about being prepared enough so I can enjoy it rather than making it a survival exercise. 😀

 

[Wheelspinner]

Your already relatively fit WS, so just add more consecutive rides and if possible a bit more climbing. These tours tend to cater for most riders fitnesses. Except totally unfit which your not. You won't be biking everyday as they will build in rest days. Given the mileage it's easily done at a steady pace given its not a race, your not carrying anything apart from essentials. I'm assuming they're providing the bikes given whereabouts you are, so the bikes will be suitably geared IMHO. They want your repeat custom so they won't set you up to fail. Alot of these tour operators will also have a training plan built in as well. Good luck and enjoy.

They have the option of BYO bike or hire one of theirs. There was a note somewhere in the blurb about their bikes having typical 50/34 and 11-32 gearing.

 

[ColinJ]

If the average ascent comes from pretty much equally lumpy days then you should manage. 1,100 m isn't really much spread over 100 km. If it came from flat days alternating with days of 2,000+ m though then that would be a bit more tiring! Still, taking your time and using that 34/32 bottom gear, you should be fine.

Enjoy your tour!

 

[PaulSB]

It sounds to me as though you are doing plenty of core miles and will probably be fine. The climbs are always going to be a challenge but it can be helpful to have had some recent climbs you can use as inspiration. The average of 1100m is pretty standard for anyone living in the hillier parts of Britain, whereas the major alpine passes are much longer but not always steeper. Never any harm in getting some more hills in you legs.

As someone who lives on the edge of a hillier area I can confirm this. Two examples of local routes: 100k with 800m (rolling), 80k with 1200m (hilly). We would consider both routes standard stuff.

My approach to what sounds like a great trip would be this. Build up to being comfortable with consecutive days riding at 100km. Check your itinerary to know how many. If it's three on, one off, three on etc. train for this. The same applies to the climbs. Understand the nature of the climbs, distance and incline and train accordingly. If you don't have local comparable hills use the Tacx. Have a decent warm up and then tackle a virtual climb. Your pace should be no more than sitting in and feeling comfortable.

If it's 3200km and five weeks (35 days) at an average of 100km/day that is only 3 rest days in five weeks. 100km x 32. In my view that's not enough rest. I wouldn't attempt this at home as I'm a firm believer in a maximum of 5 days on, 2 off in any week. I would study the itinerary carefully as it may be you have days which are much longer than 100km in order to get the rest days in.

The routes I described earlier are +/- 4 hours for myself and two buddies. We are 66, 68 and 70 (me). A morning ride, then afternoon at leisure.

I'd put money on the organisers having factored in more rest and riders who are under prepared. That doesn't sound like you.