Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Can my bike do a 2day/200km trip?

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Kaitlyn2004
10-26-09, 02:51 PM
I bought a Giant Transend DX (the mens modle... im tall! hehe)
http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/lifestyle/1436/29313/

There is an opportunity to take part in my first-ever 200km/2day riding event next year that I would love to do. Is my bike fully capable of this length of a ride or should I have concerns?

Barrettscv
10-26-09, 03:15 PM
I have a Giant Cypress and a Soma Cyclocross bike. I use the Giant for errands and commuting while the Soma is for faster & longer rides.

I would not want to try a one-day 200k on my Giant, but a two day event is doable. 63 miles a day on a hybrid is not too bad for most cyclists.

Much will depend on your fitness. I suggest that you ride 80 miles/week for ten weeks to train for the event. Try to complete a few back-to-back 50 mile rides about one month before the event.

A road bike will make the ride faster and easier. However the Giant will work fine as long as the rider is not expecting to maintain a faster pace.

Michael
Fishy
10-26-09, 08:48 PM
I bought a Giant Transend DX (the mens modle... im tall! hehe)
http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/lifestyle/1436/29313/

There is an opportunity to take part in my first-ever 200km/2day riding event next year that I would love to do. Is my bike fully capable of this length of a ride or should I have concerns?

It should do fine - a triple, 700 wheels and a relatively light frame. If you're fit enough to do it, the bike will do the trick.

Kaitlyn2004
10-26-09, 08:53 PM
If you're fit enough to do it, the bike will do the trick.

Apart from winter, I'm going to try and be on my bike lots! The most I've done is probably ~20km... this will be HUGE for me, but it's a fantastic self challenge and it's for charity!
Chris_W
10-27-09, 12:40 AM
People go on extended bike tours on bikes like that all the time. Make sure you get some ergonomic handlebar grips (try Ergon) and some nice bar ends (try Cane Creek) that you find comfortable otherwise your hands might be the first thing that bothers you on long rides. Also try some firmer saddles and see whether they work for you - the stock saddle looks like it's made for short distances, not long.

If you get the contact points and fit right, then it is not overly important what the rest of the bike is like, as long as it is working well.
skiffrun
10-27-09, 05:33 AM
. . . There is an opportunity to take part in my first-ever 200km/2day riding event next year that I would love to do. Is my bike fully capable of this length of a ride or should I have concerns?

It ain't the bike that is important -- it's the motor that counts.



j.i.c. -- "motor" = you, your legs, your heart, your head.