Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - ODRAM, 152 mile day...Possible?

I have been posting here for a few months now. I have a question or just want to pick some brains here. I was looking around on the internet last night for bike clubs and such and i stumbled across a list of organized rides in MI. The one that interested me was the "One Day Race Across Michigan" (ODRAM) on Sept 8th, self supported. Its 152 miles of road riding. I am very interested in trying it out, however i am a little unsure. I have only been biking since May and thus far my longest ride ever was 65 miles. I would have all of the rest of July, and all of August to prepare for it but i think that still might not be enough time for someone as green as me to the sport. I ride a Trek 7100 and i would definitely try to find a full-fledged road bike before the race (might be hard with my budget though). I am also a pretty big clyde at 5'9" 260 lbs. So i guess i am just asking does this seem doable to anyone, or should i sit it out this year and try it next year with more cycling under my belt? If it is possible what kind of training regiment would one propose? I think if i were to do it i would be pushing myself to the limit of what i would realisticly be able to do.

Having just completed a double century last weekend, trained like hell for it, and I'm still feeling the hurt 5 days later, I vote for saving yourself the agony this year and going for it next year when you are really ready for it.

152 miles isn't something to sneeze at, especially if your current longest ride hasn't topped half that distance. With about 6 weeks to go, you'd be looking at having to pull a consistent 20% increase in distance (over your current max.) every week to get up to 152 miles.

With this being a self-supported ride, I'm assuming that you'd have a support crew there as a bail-out option if you did decide to go ahead with it... but my suggestion is to take the smart route and keep your distance mileage increases under 15% per ride until you get up to doing a century comfortably. Then look at making jumps of 20-30%, because (in my experience) there's a big difference from a metric to an imperial century, but there's less of a difference going from 100 miles up to a distance like 125 or 150.

Seems doable as most distance riding is more about pace than racing. On big No-No is swapping equipment too close to a ride. If you want a roadie for the ride, start riding it now! If you don't have the money now, then ride the 7100. You don't swap thing like saddles, shorts etc beofe a ride. Use only what is tried and proven.

I ride my Lemond triple year round as a beater trianing bike. My Cannondale is much stiffer and a real good climber eventhough it's a double. When I sign for a 10,000 ft century I prefer the Cannondale. So for 2 months before the ride, I switch and only ride the Cannondale for those two months. Geo is a bit different and I don't want any issues.:D

Fribley, I'm going to do RAIN next year, with my own SAG. You'd be welcome to join, from Terra Haute, Indiana to Richmond, Indiana. They also have organized SAG on this ride as well. 156 miles and a nice ride! Maybe we could organize a bunch of Clyde's for it!

If it's self supported I'd make sure to carry enough water with you. At least 5 bottles. 2 on the frame, 2 behind the saddle, one in the jersey. So you have enough time to find a convenience store or gas station to fill up for the 2nd half of the trip. 2 or 3 bananas with half dozen of fig newtons, some oreo cookies, 2 or 3 powerbars and two PB sandwiches.

I just finished RAIN, which is a 160 mile ride across Indiana in one day and we had 4 rest stops in between. It was still a pretty tough ride and I finished it in 10h16min with 8h 29min. saddle time. But I had two centuries under my belt this year already.

Such distances are more of a mental challenge and feeding the body correctly.

Is this ride sagged? In otherwords, if you take off and can't finish you have a way to get back or to the finished line? If so, then why not. I think it very ambiticious however. Most people aspire to a century (100 miles) ride first. From experience I can tell you the first 80 usually no problem, the last 20 or so, takes mind over matter and alot of self-appreciation to keep going. The body really starts to do weird things after about 80 miles. Although I generally do well on centuries, I have never aspired to any distance greater. I just know, for me, it won't be pleasant.

And I agree with what was previously said about equipment. It may be too late to swap out. Your body needs to be accustom to your equipment, change it last minute, and expect alot of aches and pains.

Anyway good luck. Hydrate well, eat before getting hungry and just enjoy the challenge!

Hmm...kinda spilt replies but thanks for all the input. I still havent decided on this yet, but the registeration dosent close till Aug 10, so i have some time to mull it over, i think this weekend i will attempt a self supported century and see how i feel when/if i finish that and that should really help me get my bearings as weather or not to sign on for the ODRAM. I have always had a very strong mental drive and i dont think that would be a problem i would face, i can garuntee i would finish it however it might not be till 5pm the day after it started lol. It starts at first light and the ride organizers are leaving the finish line at 7:30 pm, i figure this gives me around 13 hours to finish it in but even if i end up finishing after they have left i would still be happy. There is no SAG, i would have to convince some friends to waste a day driving around after me. I have no plans on doing well or being near the top of the list at the end i really just am thinking about finishing at this point. So i guess i will try for the century this weekend and see how that goes, that should give me a good baseline of weather or not i am ready for it, if i finish it then ill be sitting pretty good just need to probably work on some speed and tech., however if i dont i will find out what i need to work on. Again thank you for all the input and any more advice or suggestions would still be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and Tom that definitely sounds like something i would be interested in next year, however if i hit my goals i might not be a Clyde by then.

So, instead you might have an emeritus certificate, then, but still a Clyde retired. ;)


Hmm...kinda spilt replies but thanks for all the input. I still havent decided on this yet, but the registeration dosent close till Aug 10, so i have some time to mull it over, i think this weekend i will attempt a self supported century and see how i feel when/if i finish that and that should really help me get my bearings as weather or not to sign on for the ODRAM. I have always had a very strong mental drive and i dont think that would be a problem i would face, i can garuntee i would finish it however it might not be till 5pm the day after it started lol. It starts at first light and the ride organizers are leaving the finish line at 7:30 pm, i figure this gives me around 13 hours to finish it in but even if i end up finishing after they have left i would still be happy. There is no SAG, i would have to convince some friends to waste a day driving around after me. I have no plans on doing well or being near the top of the list at the end i really just am thinking about finishing at this point. So i guess i will try for the century this weekend and see how that goes, that should give me a good baseline of weather or not i am ready for it, if i finish it then ill be sitting pretty good just need to probably work on some speed and tech., however if i dont i will find out what i need to work on. Again thank you for all the input and any more advice or suggestions would still be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and Tom that definitely sounds like something i would be interested in next year, however if i hit my goals i might not be a Clyde by then.

This year the ODRAM ride is being organized by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation West Michigan Ride Team. It is going to be on August 21, 2010. The website and registration should be up and running in the next couple weeks. We are planning to have a little more support for it this year. We are planning on a meal at the half way point, and food at the end. We are also trying to organize a charter bus and trailer for the bikes for an addtional charge to transport riders back to Montague. While I have never done this ride before, many of my friends have and I am planning on doing it this year. If you have questions feel free to e-mail me at csaley@gmail.com for more information.