Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bike tour question - long post

I have an opportunity to ride in an organized ride in July. I am starting to have concerns about whether I should try it, and thought I would ask for input from Clydes who have ridden in one day events before (or are working towards one). That’s why I posted in this forum.

The ride is 110 miles, but has smaller routes of 30, 50 and 77 miles. My long term goal is to do a century, but that isn’t even on the radar yet. I want to do the 30 mile ride. I was all set to sign up, then I drove the route on Sunday by car. After that and reading some posts on BF I’m wondering if I’ll be ready.

I did not ride any over the winter even on a stationary bike. I have been riding this season for about a month. I have a hybrid Raleigh that I am really comfortable on, but I usually only pedal at a pace of 7 to 7.5 mph. This is just a pace that I ride, but could ride a little faster with more effort. How much faster I don’t know yet until I try it. Most of the pictures from past events show people on road-style bikes and I’m concerned that I won’t be able to keep up. It’s my understanding that a road bike is designed for somewhat higher speeds. I can’t afford to purchase a road bike until next year.

It is a sag supported ride so if I couldn’t finish or had a bike breakdown I could get a ride. There are also two rest stops along the 30 mile route. The ride starts at about 7 AM and the routes close at 5:30 PM so there is plenty of time. The “30” route has a few hills, but nothing really bad except for one that looks intimidating. None of the climbs are very long.

I start a weight loss program on Monday 05/17 at my local gym. The “coach” claims a 15 lb. weight loss after the first two weeks. I’m assuming 2 lbs. a week after that which would put me somewhere around 300 lbs on the day of the event. I am choosing to ride a stationary bike for my cardio portion of the workout. It is mandatory 3 days a week and then I can comeback any other time and ride/workout. I’m thinking I should be in better pedaling shape by the event date, but would like to hear from other clyde riders.

I really want to attempt this, but I’m concerned my enthusiasm is clouding my judgment. Thanks for reading through this novel and also thanks for any thoughts or suggestions. Here is the link to the ride:


Tornado Alley 110 (http://www.ta110bike.com/index.php)

I was alittle confused about the use of "tour" - to me that means a multi-day ride event.

This appears to be a one ady Century ride with shorter options. If you have two sag stops and sag support, I say go for it. What can hurt? At least you get a feel for an organized ride and will know better for the next time. From experience, I can tell you that it is exciting to be involved in an event ride. You might do better than you think. I actually did my first century planning only to do 50 miles but got so caught up in the event, I did 108. I did this on a based of about 40 - 50 miles a week.

Something to consider - know what you need to stay hydrated and fueled. Even though the distance is short in terms of centuries, you may be out there awhile so have a nice breakfast, something easy on the stomach and carry along some fuel - say PayDay bars or GU, and make sure you drink lots of water... you should do fine.

I was alittle confused about the use of "tour" - to me that means a multi-day ride event.

This appears to be a one ady Century ride with shorter options.


Sorry about the confusion. I used tour, but it is only a one day ride or event. The website lists it as a tour so I just used their words, but I agree a tour implies multi-days. Thanks for your input!

I say go for it. It's not a race and although lots of people have road bikes and ride like it's a cat5 race not everyone is like that. I have seen everything from folding bikes to old school big front wheel bikes and everything in between participate in rides. Just enjoy the scenery, stay hydrated and take a break when you need it.

Ride and see how far you can go, it may surprise you. Good Luck!

I'm with everyone else: give it a try. As for getting ready? Try to get in a ride every day, with only one day off per week. Even if only for short distances.


It’s my understanding that a road bike is designed for somewhat higher speeds.

FWIW: Not exactly. Road bikes are designed to be efficient. And there is a difference. They are comfortable when you're riding them for 6-7 hours. They take whatever energy you put into them and translate that into forward momentum better than other bikes (this often translates into "faster" or "speed").

Depends what they mean by 'rolling hills" ;-)

BTW - I have done many many centuries... I see people on very high end road bikes and I also see people on sports bikes, comfort or townies, mountain bikes, old rigid cruisers and beach cruisers - basically anything with two wheels and some trikes as well, recumbents and hand bikes.

Never be embarassed about your rig, how fast you ride, and the distance you ride. Point is you are riding. We all started somewhere and we all have highs and lows in our training. Event rides help motivate us to get out and do something.

Bottom line - this is for you to enjoy - I love meeting all the people along the way. Take time to do that.

One more thing - if your training is limited to a stationary bike , make sure you make the most of your workout. No reading or watching TV - just focus on working out and riding a good pace - push yourself. Rememebr most likely it will take you 4 - 5 hrs to do your ride and you might be in the gym only an hour. The workout needs to count. An MP3 device is really helpful.

In 2003 I broke my collarbone in July. After the first month I was able to ride a spin bike. I was OK'd to ride my bike in late August and did a century the first week in September. Basically I did this with a prior base and 1 month of intense gym work.

Sounds like you are not much one to challenge yourself. Try that. Challenge yourself tomorrow and repeat every tomorrow after that. Does not have to be monumental but the small challenges add up to larger success.

You still have plenty of time to prepare. Try and get your speed up to 10 or 12 mph and you'll be able knock out the 50 mile route without much trouble. There will be lots of other riders there, some will be faster than you, but some will be slower too. When you find a few others your speed and can ride together and talk, the miles and hours fly by. If it is a big ride, let the racer boys get out of the way before you leave the starting line. No one will give you a hard time, if you do the 50 mile route, you will be finishing the same time as most of the century riders and at the finish line there is no way to tell who did wich part of the ride.

The ride being "open" from 7-5:30 is going to present you with plenty of time to rest and still finish. I think you will be fine, just don't schedule anything for the day after so you can rest and recover. Bring plenty of fluids. Being a supported ride, the rest stops are likely to have water and whatnot available to drink. Eat carbs the night before and have some oatmeal or grits(my fave) for breakfast that morning so you will have some energy. Don't worry about the type of bike, just ride at your pace and enjoy yourself. You can do it.

Do it! If you start now and increase your mileage by 10% a week, thirty (or even fifty) miles will be a routine ride by July.


BTW - I have done many many centuries... I see people on very high end road bikes and I also see people on sports bikes, comfort or townies, mountain bikes, old rigid cruisers and beach cruisers - basically anything with two wheels and some trikes as well, recumbents and hand bikes.

I never saw a high wheel Penny-Farthing bike, but I HAVE seen a few unicycles...on an MS ride that was a full century "here to there" not a loop.



Never be embarassed about your rig, how fast you ride, and the distance you ride. Point is you are riding. We all started somewhere and we all have highs and lows in our training. Event rides help motivate us to get out and do something.

Bottom line - this is for you to enjoy - I love meeting all the people along the way. Take time to do that.

This... + a million

I agree with everyone else. Go for it! In order to complete the ride, start preparing now, have a training plan. You haven't mentioned how far you can ride right now. But you have eight weeks to get ready for this ride. If you can ride 5 mile right now, ride 3-4 times a week and add 2 miles to your distance each week. When you ride your tour (and yes it is a tour) go at your own pace don't get sucked into keeping up with everyone else trap. going faster than your normal pace is a sure way to have leg cramp and not finish what you started. Don't worry about not riding all winter long, just get out and ride now. Keep your self hydrated, ride your pace. If you want to ride at a faster pace start training at that speed now don't try to do it on the day of the event. If you want to finish the event ride as you have been training.

I haven't ridden all winter long but I am planning on a week long ride in June that is 350-400 miles. I do a ride like this annually so I am confident that you can finish the 30 mile distance in July. It doesn't matter what bike you ride for this event, train with the bike that you have and you will be ready.

Ride every day, and if you can, push yourself a little each time.
You have enough time to build up for the 30 mile ride.

I did my first 20+ miler on a Mountain Bike when I weighed in around 385lbs after only riding for up to 10 miles at a stretch.
After I finished that ride, I was so pumped that I came home, took a shower and rode to work (even though I'd said I would be taking the day off, just in case, for recuperation), then rode a long route home. Total for that day was 35 miles.
Of course I was dog meat the next day, but got back on the bike and did a very easy commute to/from work via the shortest of routes.

Use your gears. If it feels like you are putting much force into pedaling at all, you should probably be in a lower gear pedaling a bit faster, but with less strain.
It takes a bit of getting use to, but pays off in the long run.
Don't be ashamed of spinning a lower geaar up hills. Yes people will pass you...you may be passing them when they stop to rest or have to get off and push to get up the rest of the hill.

You'll be doing this in July?
Hydration is important (probably need a sports drink + regular water) Get in the habit of sipping from your bottle even if you aren't thirsty.
Eat.
Eat something easily digested whenever you get a chance. You will probably not be use to the constant exertion and will be more susceptible to "bonking."
You don't want to bonk...Bonking is bad...Trust me on this. Been there......you wouldn't like it.
The Payday bar idea is good to give you a semi-instant sugar boost along with some slow burning fats and some protein.
Bananas are good too.

Do I make it sound dreadful and ominous? Probably.
If you prepare, though, and remember little things like drinking and eating a little, and take your time...It can be a real blast!

I'm going to join everyone else and say go for it. You can change your mind halfway through ( it's a supported ride ) and you can get off and walk up the one hill that looks intimidating. So why not give it a shot?

I'd be wary of trying to lose 15 lbs in two weeks; that sounds crazy and unhealthy. I think your 2 lbs a week goal is a lot more reasonable. But everybody in this forum bikes around with a bit of extra weight. As you get out and practice on your bike, you'll find it gets easier and easier. So even if you didn't lose a pound ( not something you need to worry about, it sounds like ) you'll still be able to do the ride.

There's a lot of excitement to group rides. It's easier to climb hills, when you're surrounded by a bunch of other people struggling up the same grade. You'll probably find yourself carried away in the fun, and not realize how much work you did until it's over. But if I'm wrong, you'll still get a taste of what these events are like, and testing yourself is the best kind of feedback you can get to see whether you're up to it. :D

Zoste is right. Go out until the big day, and ride your bike on routes you enjoy. Push yourself to go 10 % further each week. This will give your leg muscles time to recover and to grow, and pretty soon 30 miles won't seem like that much to you.

Thanks all, for taking the time to post and give me some pointers. I feel better about my decision to try the ride. I'm really looking forward to it and I will post again to let you know how it turns out.

RedWhiteandRed - You're absolutely right, I don't really challenge myself, that's why this is sort of out of character for me. The weight loss and the ride are both something that I am really wanting to accomplish, as well as the long term goal of riding a century.

I also didn't mean to sound like I was embarrassed of my bike, I bought it with the intent of just casual solo or family rides and it has been comfortable to ride. If I do buy a road bike later on, I don't think I'll get rid of it. I guess I just wasn't sure if it was the type of bike to try an event with.

My standard statement with any new and challenging distance is DFL > DNF.
For those not in the know, that's Dead Effing Last is better than Did Not Finish. Don't sweat being slow, as long as you're finishing within the allotted time, be happy with it and vow to push yourself harder the next time.

An addendum to that rule can be DNF > DNS.
Did not Finish is better than Did Not Start. I recently DNF'd a difficult 200k ride, and I was disappointed about that; but not as disappointed as I would have been if I never bothered to try in the first place.

Go out and have FUN! Do be sure to prep your body. As others pointed out. Ride a few times a week and slowly add distance. Three years ago I started commuting to work (5 miles each way). At first it was with good weather only, then I got more experienced and adventurous. My co-worker talked me into signing up for a local charity ride that was 33 miles. It seemed like such a long ride. I rode 10 miles most days and in the weekend we'd ride one "long" 12 to 15 mile ride. I had about 6 weeks to get ready. We all did fine. After completing the ride I realized that with a little training that 33 miles wasn't so bad after all. That lead to me eventually getting a road bike. The next summer I finally did a metric centry and later in the Summer eventually completed a full century ride. Just focus on enjoying this event. The sky is the limit. I would not be surprised to hear you tell us of a metric or full century ride in the next 12 to 18 months... cycling can be adictive in a good way.

Enjoy the ride,
André

I made my first Tour 40 miler a couple of weeks ago. I can tell you that I worked out at least 3 -90minute days on my cardio and leg strength which helped tremendously from January to May 1st. My riding partner and I rode no less than 26 mile rides on the weekends at least once or twice a month. We then did a 41 miler the weekend before the tour 40 miler. We did the 41 miler without stopping and some routes pitted up against some major 20-25 mph headwinds for over 14 miles. We knew we would be ready for the Tour 40 after that. I was pumped for the Tour ride and with over 400 bikes starting off, it was an experience which I enjoyed. I could have done the 50 miler looking back but a few things I realized from that ride. Spending over 2.5 hours on a bike seat is definitely an exprience on a Hybrid, road bikes cruised by me even with me averaging 15 mph for the ride against some 25 mph head winds...second, listen to your body...if you feel good, peddle, if you are feeling weaker, slow down and pace yourself so you have the stamina to get to the finish line...make sure you have plenty of fluids before and during...eat a snack during the event...I am looking to get a road bike to make the most of my time on the saddle. I figure I can add more speed and less wind resistance which will help... Dont be afraid and just do it! One of the greatest feelings seeing the finish line! And knowing your body powered that bike to the finish!

André[/QUOTE]