Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - What would happen if....

So I've been riding a fixed gear bike for 4 years, and a change in my commute forced me to look at a new rig. One Long Haul trucker later I'm smitten with my newly found abilities. I can rocket down hills as fast as cars, and coast.....dear god I can coast!

So naturally I'm wondering just how many miles I can put on this bad boy and not die. There's a big supported century ride coming up in....2ish weeks. What happens if you regular commute 120 miles a week, and then just for ****s you ride a century.

I never ride other than transportation, and have never ridden more than say 30 miles. This would be stupid yes?

If you keep to your routine, yes it's very dumb.

You could definitely do a slow 100 miles but there's a good chance of injuring yourself because of bike fit or just not knowing how to keep fueled and hydrated the whole time.

2 weeks might be enough, add on an extra 20 miles to the ride home, maybe another 40 a day or two later then do a longer ride on the weekend.

I don't think it's stupid. Just be careful that you keep hydrated, eat enough, and don't try to go faster than is comfortable.

Rule of thumb is your weekly milage = longest day ride you should do. You'll be fine.

Guidelines are useful, but I was thinking about this a bit today. If you are very fit, you should have no trouble riding the century. I recall when I was 20, I was in ridiculously good physical condition - but I had never ridden more than 50 miles at a shot. One day I hopped on my bike and rode 200 miles. Yeah, I was very saddle sore afterwards, and I slept for along time, but covering the mileage was not an issue.

Now, almost 30 years later, I'm not in bad shape, but nowhere near as fit as when I was 20. I know I could finish 100, but I'd need to work up to longer distances.

So I've been riding a fixed gear bike for 4 years, and a change in my commute forced me to look at a new rig. One Long Haul trucker later I'm smitten with my newly found abilities. I can rocket down hills as fast as cars, and coast.....dear god I can coast!

So naturally I'm wondering just how many miles I can put on this bad boy and not die. There's a big supported century ride coming up in....2ish weeks. What happens if you regular commute 120 miles a week, and then just for ****s you ride a century.

I never ride other than transportation, and have never ridden more than say 30 miles. This would be stupid yes?

Nope, not stupid. Eat, drink, and ride slowly ... and you'll be fine.

http://www.machka.net/century.htm

You should probably try to get out and do a 50-60 mile ride to make sure that you have any fit issues sorted out. A bike that feels comfy for 20 miles can feel considerably less comfy by mile 50.

If you ride 120 miles/week you should have no problems fitness wise. Just remember that you can shift on the hills to save your knees.:)