Ningishzidda
Senior Member
For a start, I wouldn't send the OP anywhere that he would find it difficult to return from.
Why risk losing a friend?
Training for my first century (sportive)
- Thread starter Chonker
- Start date
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For a start, I wouldn't send the OP anywhere that he would find it difficult to return from.
Why risk losing a friend?
Sittingduck
Legendary Member
- Location
- Somewhere flat
I couldn't be arsed with following a spreadsheet for the sake of prepping for a single ride in two months time. Just go out and ride the thing - regularly... no need for loads of structure or a bunch of rest days, imho. Mix it up and do some hilly rides, some faster rides, plenty of steady stuff and ensure you are comfortable on the bike for rides of a decent duration well before mid August.
Good luck
Good luck
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
Still too much rest, why is there 6 adjacent rest days in week 4-5? Get rid. Also it is generally a good idea to ride, in some capacity the day before an event.
I agree with @Sittingduck though tbh, just ride your bike. No need for such a schedule, just ride 5-6 days a week and you will be set!
I agree with @Sittingduck though tbh, just ride your bike. No need for such a schedule, just ride 5-6 days a week and you will be set!
I did 117 to Dunwich a few weeks ago, and the longest I'd done (since a 77 mile ride to Brighton two summers ago) recently was about 35. Average moving speed - 16.7 mph. 3 rest stops, which you probably won't be doing, I guess, but I think I could have done it without them. I did have one 10 mile period around mile 60 where I was worried I wasn't going to make it because my left nut started to ache, but I massaged it for a bit and I was fine.
All I think I am saying is that if you're not totally unfit, ride your bike regularly, and don't go off like a scalded cat, you'll make it without going into all this detail.
All I think I am saying is that if you're not totally unfit, ride your bike regularly, and don't go off like a scalded cat, you'll make it without going into all this detail.
OP
OP
Chonker
Veteran
- Location
- Buckingham
Fair enough, the week of rest days is because I'm on night shifts and they do me in, so I shant be riding that week.
The plan was mainly there so that I don't overdo it, but it sounds like I'm being way too cautious in that regard.
The plan was mainly there so that I don't overdo it, but it sounds like I'm being way too cautious in that regard.
Hip Priest
Veteran
I'm doing a 104 miler in a couple of weeks. It'll be my second century, but more hilly than the first. My training plan consists of a daily 10 mile round commute, 3-4 hours on a Saturday morning, and a 20 miler one night a week.
One of the downfalls of the success of Team Sky is that new cyclists seem to think they need to worry about heart rate zones and marginal gains and whatnot. Just ride your bike!
One of the downfalls of the success of Team Sky is that new cyclists seem to think they need to worry about heart rate zones and marginal gains and whatnot. Just ride your bike!
OP
OP
Chonker
Veteran
- Location
- Buckingham
It really has absolutely nothing to do with team sky
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
So many marginal gains, that if you believe the hype, you will be finishing before you have even started!
Hip Priest
Veteran
Fair enough.
But the point stands that cyclists at our level don't need to worry about detailed training plans and HR zones. Riding you bike as much as you can, climbing hills...etc is enough to see an improvement.
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
What Hip Priest says is undoubtedly correct, people always bang on about quality not quantity, this may well be true when you have a good base and are pushing for those small, hard fought for gains where increased volume returns diminishing returns, but in many cases, the opposite is true, quantity wins out, get the volume in.
Ningishzidda
Senior Member
Cycling is one of those activities that can be placed in the 'Progressive Resistance Training' bracket.
The harder you push yourself, with ever increasing loads on the working muscle groups, the better one becomes.
When you find a hill you can ride up. Don't settle for that. Ride up it faster. Someday, you will meet a steeper and longer hill.
The harder you push yourself, with ever increasing loads on the working muscle groups, the better one becomes.
When you find a hill you can ride up. Don't settle for that. Ride up it faster. Someday, you will meet a steeper and longer hill.
OP
OP
Chonker
Veteran
- Location
- Buckingham
Well my day job is an engineer in high level motorsport so measuring what can be measured, analysing the data, planning, looking for all the gains possible, obsessing over the details, this is kind of what I do 
I managed 70miles total last week, with a 35mile ride on Saturday (2000ft ascent). The saturday ride was actually quite difficult and I can see that saddle related discomfort is possibly going to be an issue. My 70mile charity ride a couple of years ago was on a recumbent so discomfort wasn't a factor then.
I managed 70miles total last week, with a 35mile ride on Saturday (2000ft ascent). The saturday ride was actually quite difficult and I can see that saddle related discomfort is possibly going to be an issue. My 70mile charity ride a couple of years ago was on a recumbent so discomfort wasn't a factor then.
Ningishzidda
Senior Member
My job in a previous life was in Engine Management, calibrating cars to pass emissions legislation. Believe me, leave all the high tech stuff at work and just enjoy you’re riding. All you need is a simple computer to tell you how fast you are climbing hills.
Getting bothered about every little last detail will bring on a mental breakdown.
Getting bothered about every little last detail will bring on a mental breakdown.
Spinney
Bimbleur extraordinaire
- Location
- Back up north
Well my day job is an engineer in high level motorsport so measuring what can be measured, analysing the data, planning, looking for all the gains possible, obsessing over the details, this is kind of what I do
I've done a few centuries (not very fast ones, I hasten to add), and I've always found that the key to managing that distance without too much pain is getting my bum used to being in the saddle for that length of time (and eating enough during the ride). And not setting off too fast...
Check your saddle is the right height compared to your handlebars, and set at the right angle (plenty of advice on here if you ask), and make sure you stand up on the pedals now and then (whether the gradient requires this or not) - it gives your bum a rest for a few seconds. So if saddle related discomfort is likely to be an issue, getting in some looooong training rides (up to 70 or 80 miles if you are aiming for a 100 mile sportive) would be a good idea.
Doing a few longer rides will also help you decide what/how much you want/need to eat during a long ride. Many swear by energy gels, but I find them gloopy and disgusting and nearly make me throw up. Flapjacks and bananas are good. Again, there will be plenty of advice about fuelling yourself if you need more info - just ask.
(You will then have to choose which of the many different bits of advice you want to follow
)
