Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - James Wannop anyone?

I am looking to complete a 165-mile ride in November, with the the first day being a century ride, and the rest of the mileage the next day. I saw a century training program offered by James Wannop online for $19.95. Has anyone used this or can anyone recommend/review this program and tell me if it is worth it? Right now, I only ride occasionally. I just completed my third half-marathon, so I'm not totally out of shape. Alternatively, does anyone know of any other good training programs?

The best way to prepare for longer distances is to start spending some quality saddle time on your bike, and build up gradually to longer and longer distances. I know that that doesn't sound like the magic elixir, but no course will teach you like experience.
Go find your local Randonneur group. You'll get lots of camaraderie, and there are lots of folks with tons of long distance experience who would be more than happy to share their wisdom with you. In other words, the training is free. You'll quickly build up to riding distances that you can't even imagine right now.

The best way to prepare for longer distances is to start spending some quality saddle time on your bike, and build up gradually to longer and longer distances. I know that that doesn't sound like the magic elixir, but no course will teach you like experience.
Go find your local Randonneur group. You'll get lots of camaraderie, and there are lots of folks with tons of long distance experience who would be more than happy to share their wisdom with you. In other words, the training is free. You'll quickly build up to riding distances that you can't even imagine right now.

Thanks for the advice. I'll Google Randonneur because I have no idea what that is.

Check out RUSA, which is the national organization:
http://www.rusa.org/
There are local clubs all over the country/world. What area of the country/world are you in?

There are plenty of free downloadable century training programs out there, I'd just go for one of those, rather than pay $20. They all build you up to longer and longer distances. The key is to build up incrementally, not too much additional mileage in one week. 10% increase per week (and you really only need one "long" ride per week) is a good rule to follow. More than that and you may risk injury. Sleep is not often cited in training plans...if you are new to distance sports, you will quickly find that you just plain need more zzzzz than otherwise. Your body's trying to tell you something when it is tired.

What he said ^^

Do some googling and you'll find plenty of free training programs. There's no need to pay for one. And if you're already running half marathons, you have the cardio fitness needed for a ride like that. Mostly you'll just need to get used to sitting on a bike for several hours at a stretch. Also, spend some time learning about managing nutrition and hydration on long rides. Keeping your body fueled and hydrated is the key.

Every August I do a 2 day charity ride; day 1 - 110 miles, day 2 - 84. Here is what I TRY to do the 3 months before the ride:
Years ago I cut out an article that gave 3 different 4 week programs for riding a century; here's how they basically break down in miles per week for the 4 week period:
Easy: 110, 125, 140, 70 + the ride
More difficult: 160, 190, 190, 100 + the ride
Most difficult: 200, 200, 200, 115 + the ride

If I have the time I try for the easy in May, more difficult in June, most difficult in July. One long ride per week (Saturday), one-two rest days per week. As has been said, hydration and nutrition are key; 1 bottle and 1 gel per hour, more if it's hot out. One suggestion - hills are your friends! If you find you're tight on time, hill repeats will work wonders:thumb: Good luck and have fun! - Craig

red bikini, being a 280 lb Clyde a century is a long time for live to me...being CHEAP dictates Free, Gratis, Aunt Edna bought it for you is preferred.

That being out of the way, remember I tell skateboarders A-no knee pain, not exercise and B-if you can't carry groceries it's stuntman practice :rolleyes:

Check out RUSA, which is the national organization:
http://www.rusa.org/
There are local clubs all over the country/world. What area of the country/world are you in?

Yes, I found it recently. I am in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.

What he said ^^

Do some googling and you'll find plenty of free training programs. There's no need to pay for one. And if you're already running half marathons, you have the cardio fitness needed for a ride like that. Mostly you'll just need to get used to sitting on a bike for several hours at a stretch. Also, spend some time learning about managing nutrition and hydration on long rides. Keeping your body fueled and hydrated is the key.

The reason I was wondering about that program bc the few free programs I found online were very vague, whereas this program tells you to ride at a certain RPM for a certain amount of time and had lots of details like that. Because I can ride 40 miles, but I don't know if I'll be riding it too slow or too fast, or if I should even care about that. I think we have about 8 hours to get through the 100-mile ride.

Every August I do a 2 day charity ride; day 1 - 110 miles, day 2 - 84. Here is what I TRY to do the 3 months before the ride:
Years ago I cut out an article that gave 3 different 4 week programs for riding a century; here's how they basically break down in miles per week for the 4 week period:
Easy: 110, 125, 140, 70 + the ride
More difficult: 160, 190, 190, 100 + the ride
Most difficult: 200, 200, 200, 115 + the ride

If I have the time I try for the easy in May, more difficult in June, most difficult in July. One long ride per week (Saturday), one-two rest days per week. As has been said, hydration and nutrition are key; 1 bottle and 1 gel per hour, more if it's hot out. One suggestion - hills are your friends! If you find you're tight on time, hill repeats will work wonders:thumb: Good luck and have fun! - Craig

Thanks for the tip.

here's a training schedule for a local double century (one or two day options).

may be helpful: http://www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/stp_mileage.cfm