Last Friday/Saturday I accomplished one of my cycling goals that seemed to be put off for too many years. I rode a triple-century in 22:15 minutes. The total ride was 308 miles in 22:50.

I had been "itching" to do a triple for years and had missed opportunities during several 600k efforts, mostly because of the groups or partner I was riding with. I had not ridden a triple since BAM, a ride back in September of 1998.

Anyway, I did it. I rode a triple solo, not part of an organized ride, no support, no sleep, without "laps" or loop repeats. I was just wondering if anyone else has ever done this kind of thing.

I know I was lucky with unusually cool weather, and several storms missed me. Plus I had a beautiful full moon lighting the country side all night. It was really an outstanding moonlight ramble, and I enjoyed it so much I might try it again.....

I haven't even done an imperial yet, but that is awesome to hear and sounds like fun. Good luck on the next one.

flyingcadet

Time to move on to the UMCA site.

First off congrats on the ride! It's an amazing achievement.

I managed one double this year but haven't ridden a triple (my only one) in 34 years!

My friend and I did one fully loaded with touring gear in 23 hours at the tail end of a long tour we were on and were desperate to get back home. Unforgettable.

Having done it once I'm not sure if I need to do it again. For me I think it may be a once in a lifetime kind of thing.


:thumb:

I think I'll try a double century before I attempt a triple. ;)

Good work. Did you do any write up? Details of the ride? Like what time of day did you start, how often did you stop, did you do an out and back or make a huge loop? Was the route hilly?

I recently rode 136 miles and was pooped that evening but was surprised to wake up the next day feeling like I could do it again.

Nice job!

I just did my first double in over a decade earlier this year. My next goal is a 400km. I'll build myself up to a 300 miler, maybe. Right now I'm focusing on the 400km.

wow, nice job!!

i haven't ridden a real triple, unless my 600k attempt counts (DNFd at mile 320 due to mechanical, with 30 minutes of sleep at the 400k mark).

i'd like to hear more about your ride too - what was the terrain like? when did you start?

Yup time to move over to the UMCA's website. But it's still impressive. The closest i,ve come is doing back to back double centuries spaced 3 days apart. With 80km's travel in the middle to ride to second one.

Doing that gave me a really good impression of what it would be like to a triple century or a 600km brevet.

My friend and I did one fully loaded with touring gear in 23 hours at the tail end of a long tour we were on and were desperate to get back home.Sounds like you had serious case of homesickness.

I wasn't totally "loaded" - but I was on a touring bike with panniers.

I figured it would be pretty rare to find anyone ever "just doing it" - alone or as a group.

Anyway, I had the time, I was rested, and wanted to see what would happen if I set about going on a ride knowing full well I wasn't planning to stop for 24 hours. If I ran into significant trouble, I probably would have "bagged the 300 try - and headed home. I know for a fact that a flat tire could have done me in because I had an old pump with me and could not have gotten my tires re-inflated to 110psi.

Part of the planning for the ride was an 11:00am start. Since I knew I was riding all night, there was no "rush" to make miles before dusk. Nor would sunset come when i was totally wiped. I only had a 135 miles at sunset. Although i was using a well known 200 mile course that I have ridden many times - "the special" part was figuring out how to add new miles and taking care to be on safe roads during the "drunks-drive" hours....roughly 12:30am to 2:00am.

I found safe roads by riding near coal mines next to Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. Many of these mine roads are no longer used - and never used at night. Using these two extensions, one of 15 miles and another of 60 mile allowed to easily add in some slight deviations to my 200 mile route.

The two biggest negative issues had to do with wet clothing due to sweating. At sunset I went in a grocery store and bought some food and batteries. I completely froze. I didn't want to change clothes too early in case i needed fresh ones later. Luckily, I stopped in a MacDOnalds hamburger and used the hand dryer is the restroom to dry out my jersey and shorts.

At 2:00am I had a similar problem because I had all my clothes on but my riding gloves were wet and making my hands cold. Luckily, I planned for stopping at a gas station truck stop and bought fresh cotton gloves for a $1.79......

All in all that's how the ride went. Any time any thing was going wrong, I found an answer, just in time. I actually finished with less problems than many doubles. I was starting to develop a sore rash on my thigh, but because i saved fresh shorts, I switched at 280miles, nick of time and finished with no aches, pains, saddle sores or pain of any sort.

The whole thing came off so well, i swear I might try it again, next moon phase, and of course clear skies and weather permitting.......

I think the UMCA is for RAAM riders and support vehicles - I don't think they ride regular rides.
I'm pretty sure you have have spot lights and loudspeakers and doctors and stuff.

Congrats on the triple. I don't think I've ever done one like that -- just going out and doing it. Always been part of a longer ride like a randonneuring event or UMCA race. I did one last month at the 24 Hours of Booty in Charlotte. A 3-mile loop course. Seriously. I rode it until my computer said 300.1 miles and then packed it in with a little more than 3 hours left on the clock -- I'd long since memorized every inch of the pavement! Your route definitely sounds better.

You have given me inspiration to do the Grand Tour Triple next year. Congrats on your accomplishment. That is awesome!

A 3-mile loop course. Seriously. I rode it until my computer said 300.1 miles and then packed it in with a little more than 3 hours left on the clock -- I'd long since memorized every inch of the pavement!

100 times around the track ... I think I'd go insane.

I figured it would be pretty rare to find anyone ever "just doing it" - alone or as a group.

I do most of my distance riding in this way. Basically just doing it- usually to "get somewhere" or I use getting somewhere as an excuse for a long ride.

I'm actually doing my first group ride in ages this weekend. (I used to do tons of "club riding" but prefer to solo these days.).

I guess company could be a plus on a 2 or 300 miler but I kind of get in a zone of my own and just stay there. I don't know how I'll be trying to match my pace to others. (I've got 2 companions on this weekends ride.) I enjoy their company but finding a mutual rhythm for a long ride can be a challenge.

As you pointed out in your post "support" like changes of clothes, restocking of food, water etc can be problematic when you solo. And when you're tired it can be hard to make good decisions on your own.

nice ride, duder!!

You have given me inspiration to do the Grand Tour Triple next year. Congrats on your accomplishment. That is awesome!I'm pretty sure the Grnad Tour, is as about as different form the ride I did as you can get. (but hey, I bet it's a great ride!)

All my other triple and quad centuries were always parts of races or 24hour TTs. I never tried anything like this before.

As for three-mile laps, at least you knew which way the wind was blowing........although I once rode 18 20-mile "night loops."

Great Job!!!! I've done three triples, one Grand Tour Lowland and two Grand Tour Highland. The best time I've had was 21 hours overall in 2007. I started the triple this year but bailed after 212 miles, had a bad case of bronchitis three weeks before and hadn't fully recovered.