Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - 50 miler in 3-4 weeks - doable?

Hi everyone,
I have been riding just under 20 miles a day (commute to and from work) over fairly flat ground (averaging about 15 mph on a loaded commuter bike). I'm really enjoying my time on the bike and have looked at a few local events that sound pretty fun. The 1st is a bridge pedal (going over all the bridges in Portland... there are 11 crossings total and some of the bridges are quite high). The longest distance offered is 37 miles but you can scale it down to a 6 bridge family ride (14 miles). The other event is a Portland century that has 25, 50, and 100 mile options. I'm confident that I could easily do the 14 and 25 mile rides but am wondering how much harder the 37 and 50 mile rides would be. What kind of training regimen would everyone recommend? Will pulling the fenders and pannier rack off my bike make any difference at these distances? Looking forward to everyone's suggestions...

Bridge pedal: http://www.providence.org/bridgepedal/route-maps.asp
Portland Century routes: http://www.portlandcentury.com/routes.html

Easily! I think the rule of thumb is increase 10% a week. But 20 miles a day is actually plenty of miles under your belt. Just put 2 days together and ypu're there. Going from 20 to 50 is easy. You will be tired but shouldn't be a strain on you. Pace yourself off the start line and I bet you complete it no problem!

If they have rest stops it should be no problem at all. Just don't stop too long or your legs will tighten up.

you should be able to easily do it. i just did a 65 miler last weekend, it was my first ride in 3 weeks, the ride before that was 35 miles, and the ride before that ... was a year ago.

you can do it.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! There are rest stops along the route to refill water, etc. Any good tips about nutrition / hydration (what to bring, what not to bring, etc., etc.)?

Sip every 15 minutes or more often,stay hydrated, take on about 250 cals/hr and you'll do fine. Keep the electrolytes up,too.

Bring fluids, energy (sport drinks and/or bars), and your small emergency kit (tube, pump, etc.)

If there are lots of hills, 50 may kill you. If it's mostly flat, no problem at all. Just keep pedaling. You'll get bike-sore but you will survive.

If you normally ride loaded, you will have no problem doing 50 unloaded. I would guess you could handle a 100k as long as you pace yourself.

If you do around 20 a day the 50 shouldnt be hard... But yeah, pace yourself @ the start and use rest stops not stop to long...

Go Slow keep drinking and eating as you go. Stand up to pedal evey 10 minutes.
You Can do 100 mIles.

I was considering the 100 but the alloted time would mean that I'd have to average 16+ MPH and there are 2 large (for me) hills at the 50 mile point. I want to work up to a century eventually but I think the 50 miler will be a good introduction to these kinds of events.

Piece of cake! Let us know how the ride went.

Hi everyone,
I have been riding just under 20 miles a day (commute to and from work) over fairly flat ground (averaging about 15 mph on a loaded commuter bike). I'm really enjoying my time on the bike and have looked at a few local events that sound pretty fun. The 1st is a bridge pedal (going over all the bridges in Portland... there are 11 crossings total and some of the bridges are quite high). The longest distance offered is 37 miles but you can scale it down to a 6 bridge family ride (14 miles). The other event is a Portland century that has 25, 50, and 100 mile options. I'm confident that I could easily do the 14 and 25 mile rides but am wondering how much harder the 37 and 50 mile rides would be. What kind of training regimen would everyone recommend? Will pulling the fenders and pannier rack off my bike make any difference at these distances? Looking forward to everyone's suggestions...

Bridge pedal: http://www.providence.org/bridgepedal/route-maps.asp
Portland Century routes: http://www.portlandcentury.com/routes.html

Removing the fenders and rack will make you a little lighter. Is it worth the trouble to do so? I couldn't say.

Mr. Beanz pointed out the rule of thumb for training mileage increases, but if you decided to ride the 50 miles as is, I'm sure you'd make it. You might be more fatigued than usual, but you could do it.

take some packets of GU with you. eat a little bit at least every hour. the above quote with about 250 an hour is pretty good if youre riding faster. Make sure you dont eat too much or you may cramp up. its a delicate balance, and so far i havent been able to find mine... i need some more experience. but the one tip i can give you is... eat before youre hungry or you'll never be able to catch up to your hunger/tiredness

You're riding 100 miles a week now - you'll probably get to the end of the 50 and ask, is that it?

One day this weekend give yourself four hours to ride. Doesn't matter where - just ride at a good comfortable pace for the morning. Bet when you look down you're close to 50.