Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Back-to-back 100 mile days

Any advice on completing 200 miles (total) in two days.

I've done a number of 110+ miles days this summer, but I have been taking the following day off. I've decided the next step as I progress will be two 100 mile days. These will be self supported from home.

Michael

A couple suggestions:

1. Start by doing the 100 mile ride on one day, and then maybe a 25 mile ride the next day. Next time you ride a century, do a 40 mile ride the next day. Next time, maybe do a metric century (60 miles) the next day. If you've always taken the following day off, you might want to ease into this next step a bit.

When I was doing back-to-back centuries, I was used to getting on my bicycle and doing some sort of ride the next day so it didn't feel unusual.

2. When you actually do your first back-to-back centuries, clear your schedule for the evening of the first century. Don't plan to go out to the local BBQ with friends or anything. Plan to come home, eat, take a long hot shower, and rest.

I did 3 in a row two weeks ago.
Stand up as much as you can.
Allows blood to circulation everywhere.
Pace the entire ride. Your not in a hurry.
Don't stop too long as you will loose your momentum.
Stop when you feel you need to rest a few minutes.
Become aware of how you are pedaling. I developed a hot foot.
Learned that I was pushing on the outside of my left foot.

YouTube - 8 10 south landscape

A good weekly mileage base will make it easy. I'd suggest waiting until you've ridden maybe a month of 200+ mile weeks. If you've been doing a couple of centuries a month along with a few other 50+ mile rides, you should be fine. Pace is everything; ride comfortably at first. You shouldn't be wasted after the first one. I only did 4 centuries last year, but ramped it up this year. First back-to-back was at the end of January. Got up to 8 centuries in 9 days in August. And I'm almost as old as 10 Wheels! :D And slower... So, yes, you CAN do it, I'm sure! Machka's plan is a good one; get used to riding the day after a century.

Any advice on completing 200 miles (total) in two days.Again, distance isn't hardly the only metric that accounts for bicycle trip difficulty.

If all you want to do is ride 200 miles in some 48 hour period, then just do it. If you want to discuss a particular athletic endeavor then describe the nature of the ride, the route details and the pace you intend to achieve.

Then, add details about your concerns, cycling strengths and weakness and request comments pertaining to those area that interest you.

By the way, if your longest day is a 110 - you may want to describe why you think your "next step" is doing "two days" of riding. I think your "next step" is to ride a 130 miles in a single day.......

A good weekly mileage base will make it easy. I'd suggest waiting until you've ridden maybe a month of 200+ mile weeks. If you've been doing a couple of centuries a month along with a few other 50+ mile rides, you should be fine. Pace is everything; ride comfortably at first. You shouldn't be wasted after the first one. I only did 4 centuries last year, but ramped it up this year. First back-to-back was at the end of January. Got up to 8 centuries in 9 days in August. And I'm almost as old as 10 Wheels! :D And slower... So, yes, you CAN do it, I'm sure! Machka's plan is a good one; get used to riding the day after a century.

I've been doing 600+ miles a month since June, I'm at about 3700 miles for the year. I had a strong 200K in 8 hours and 15 minutes total event time in late August and a unsupported 117 mile ride last weekend.

I also like Machka's plan.

Cheers,

Michael

Hills and wind have a lot to do with how easy back to back centuries are. Doing 6 gap on successive
days will require powers of recovery much greater than doing an R to T century with its sheltered
1-2% grades. I was amazed at how easy 100mi from Weaver AL to Smyrna was on the Ladiga-SCT
was back to back last year.

I'll be giving it a shot today. Did the Civil War Century yesterday (7K of climbing) and the Indian Head 100 today (much flatter I hope.)

I've done several back-to-backs before, including some that were much hillier on the second day. For me the biggest issue is residual soreness on the rear end if any, and some muscle stiffness.

I plan to take it very, very easy today, almost at a recovery ride pace.

As long as I make it home in time to watch the Redskins game this afternoon, I'll be happy :)

Since you've already done enough 100+ mile days, doing it back to back should be easy. Just remember to take it a bit easier on your legs the first day and remember to properly fuel and you should be fine.

Stop thinking about it and just go do it!

Pace yourself, take it relatively easy on day 1, don't expect to go fast on day 2, high carb dinners on days 0, 1 and 2, eat and drink plenty while you're riding (2-300 cal/hr). And it'd be a good idea to take it very easy the week before.

SP
Bend, OR

Walk a mile or two the night after your first century. Always seems to make day 2 easier for me.

Well, I did the back-to-back thing. I can't say I enjoyed Day2 very much though. I was pretty well fried after the Civil War Century on Saturday. I woke up Sunday and wasn't too awfully sore, so I decided to go for it. By the time I'd gone 20 miles I realized it was going to be a long day. There were lots of little rollers that I would normally not even think twice about, that were just killing my legs. I had no strength at all, plus the muscles burned like crazy.

That said, I think I might do two next weekend also :)

Congrats!

I've always found the best way to keep the muscles from hurting later was to either ride the last ten at a different pace and gear. Or if finish time is important, go on a lazy 5-10 mile ride right afterward to let your muscles relax slowly without tightening up.

Ken

Any advice on completing 200 miles (total) in two days.

Again, distance isn't hardly the only metric that accounts for bicycle trip difficulty.

If all you want to do is ride 200 miles in some 48 hour period, then just do it. If you want to discuss a particular athletic endeavor then describe the nature of the ride, the route details and the pace you intend to achieve.

Then, add details about your concerns, cycling strengths and weakness and request comments pertaining to those area that interest you.

By the way, if your longest day is a 110 - you may want to describe why you think your "next step" is doing "two days" of riding. I think your "next step" is to ride a 130 miles in a single day.......

Have a gander at the other replies in this thread to get a grasp on a more socially acceptable way to reply to such a simple request.

The story of my back-to-back centuries, in 2003, here (http://www.davewyman.net/wildflowerdoublecentury.htm).

Well, I did the back-to-back thing. I can't say I enjoyed Day2 very much though. I was pretty well fried after the Civil War Century on Saturday. I woke up Sunday and wasn't too awfully sore, so I decided to go for it. By the time I'd gone 20 miles I realized it was going to be a long day. There were lots of little rollers that I would normally not even think twice about, that were just killing my legs. I had no strength at all, plus the muscles burned like crazy.

That said, I think I might do two next weekend also :)

Once your body adapts to doing back to back long days, your legs can actually get better as the day goes on. For me, if I wake up with sore legs, my legs can start feeling much better by 50 miles in and feel great by the end of the day

Hi Brian. yes, I should have mentioned. I was most fried out at about miles 40 to 60. After about mile 70 I was feeling a lot better. The old "second wind" I guess.

Hi Michel,
That was my di lemma last weekend. I had done a couple of 50's back to back and a couple of metric centuries before this event. Started biking after running wasn't an option.
It was in a organized event (MS150). I went for 100's back-to-back. Pushed a little hard 1st day (5.5 hours), easy first 10 miles second day and crank it after (6 hours). Didn't have to scout for food and water, what was nice.
I would say for amount of miles you ride, it will be a easy thing to do.
Enjoy!

Anatolie

Have a gander at the other replies in this thread to get a grasp on a more socially acceptable way to reply to such a simple request. That's great!


I had no strength at all, plus the muscles burned like crazy.

The blind leading the clueless. Carry on all!