Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Attempting a double century before doing a reg. century?

Is it a good idea? I mean...should i do it?

Its not ideal, but sure, why the hell not. :thumb:

Technically you will complete a century before the double century ;) If you think you've got the legs for it, go for it! :D

I've always said ... if you want to make the century distance feel easier, do a double century.

Not a good idea. If you fail, you may never try long distance riding again.

However, if you are fit, ride 100 miles a week and do a 75 mile ride once or twice a month for the last 3 months you might succeed.

Tell us more about yourself and your riding.

Michael

Like others have said...not ideal, but possible.

The thing is a 2x century is MUCH more of a mental challenge than you think. At about 130 miles, things crop up that you may not be prepared for...like saddle issues, back/neck pain, and most likely - nutrition/hydration problems. Without having been on longer rides that present any of the possible problems associated with long distance riding, you will be unfamiliar with methods to cope/deal with the problems encountered. You also may overlook the early warning signs that you are getting into trouble with hydration/nutrition. One thing to really watch for is the amount of climbing involved - seems to be a trend to increase the elevation gain as much as possible to "one up" other rides.

Just my $0.02 based on having ridden and completed MANY centuries, 2x metric centuries, and 2x centuries over the years.

Never know, you might be ready and not have any problems at all.

One thing that I've discovered is that riding 200k is not the same as riding 100k twice. The difference is that on a 100k, assuming the wind blows the same way all day, you never have to ride more than 30 miles into the wind. With a 200k, you can ride 60 miles into the wind without letup. And with a double century, 100 miles of headwind. A few miles of headwind is not bad, but it does get old after a while.

Seems to me that riding more than 80 miles is required before you really know everything you need to know to ride longer distances. That seems to be where all the fit issues really show up. I have had saddles that worked fine for up to 60 miles feel horrible at 80. I've seen other people report the same thing.

I don't now if there is a magic number where fit issues show up. It depends on how close your fit is to begin with. Everyone is a little different and if your fit is right to start with you shouldn't have problems. If your fit is off you could be miserable from mile 20. Nutrition is an issue as NorCal mentioned. it's important to have a plan for that. The other criteria is your fitness level. If you have a good core fitness level you should be fine.

Maybe. Go ride a century first and see what you think. You may not even be able to handle that. If you feel great after the first 100 miles, keep going and put in a double. But you already don't sound very confident, which won't help you any.

The the next week end and ride 100 miles each day.

I say go for it...

What's the worst that can happen? You bail before you finish. Big deal... Plenty of people don't finish their first attempt at a double.

I have a friend who had never done a ride longer than 130 miles until last fall. Then he finished the Furnace Creek 508 solo. And he's gone on to do plenty of doubles this year.