Road Cycling - Am I ready?

Next weekend I'll be participating in a 62 mile ride. The farthest I've ever ridden in one day is 50 miles and that was many years ago. Currently I am consistently riding 30-35 miles 3 days a week with a fourth ride in the 45 mile range. These rides are non-stop with the exception of a few traffic signals that I must obey. The 62 mile ride will have two rest stops along the way offering food and beverage. I usually don't carry food with me on any of my rides but I do drink a sports drink for electrolyte replacement. I'm wondering if I'm prepared for the extra miles. I feel good on my longest rides, only to have to cut them off due to time constraints. Any thoughts? Should I be concerned?

You should be. I did a 3-day tour last year of 82, 127 and 69 miles and the most I had previously ridden was 53 miles (in the mountains, though). On a MTB, no less.

You should be able to handle it. Just depends on how comfortable your bike is to you.

You will have no problem if you ride your normal pace and stay hydrated.

You should have no problem with 62 miles. You are better prepared than most riders on their first long ride.
On a 2hr ride, I dont eat anything, but on longer rides, I eat and drink something every hr. If you leave your first feed until the 3 hr mark, then you will feel pretty depleted by the end of the ride.
You are already drinking properly during a ride.
Carry some food, it doesnt have to be special "sports" food, anything handy will do. You are supposed to avoid big sugar hits, and use a food with a slower relase. Sandwitches, cereal bars, bananas, fig newtons are favorites. I confess to occasionally snaffling a chocoate bar on longer rides, esp in the last hr.
Do have a proper meal the night before and eat a substantial breakfast.

Never know till you try. ;)

I'd hit it!

You should have no problems if you follow a few simple guidelines (food and water) such as those by MichaelW.

I have found that (to this point anyway) that I can at least double my distance over my routine long ride. In other words, if I have been doing a long ride of 30 miles every weekend, the I can complete 60 miles wihtout major concern.

Your training looks to put you in good shape to finish with ease.

You'll absolutly have no problem... if you make sure you ride your pace.
You'll find in a group ride that early on people will ride above their comfort zone.. and in the end that will drain more out of you than an extra 10-15 miles.

Hydration is key and make sure that when you do stop, you allow yourself to recover. Not to say you have to sit around for hours, but make sure you are ready to go when you go... otherwise wait until you're ready...

You'll also find that if you can get into a pace line, you can save as much as 35% of your energy... Also not a bad way to recover if you are in trouble.

Enjoy yourself... you'll do great.
R

No problems man... My longest ride was about 44 miles, with my average ride being about 35-40 since the beginning of the season... I did a 64 mile ride a month or so ago with no problem.. I actually got to the end and wanted to keep going... just drink some water.. eat some snacks, and pace yourself the first 2/3... if you feel good at the 2/3 point.. crank it up, and finish strong !

Jeff

Just drink plenty, for rides like that I'll put some Gatorade in my water bottle with water. Usually 8 oz hen top off with water. I also eat 1 regular granola bar every 30 minutes or so. Just pace yourself. You may not want to ride quite as hard as you normaly do.

Thanks for the tips and the encouragement!

You're money.