Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Training program for ULTRA long distances?

Hi all,

At first, i'd like to thank you for this great forum, really enjoy to read the threds here :).

I'm a ultra-junkie, and I like to make big challenge for my self. In the last couple of years, i've been biking around Europe (3.000km in 21 days) and cross USA (5.500km in 25 days). I've always dreamt of taking the tour around Australia, so now it is time - but not only am I aiming for completing the ride around - i'd like to push it to the limits by trying to break the world record, which is 38 days for the complete 14.200km trip, that's 373km a day!

I've giving myself 16 months to do the training, and i'm taking off 15th July 2013.

I'm looking for someone who has done very long trips with high daily mileage, who can tell a bit about their training leading up to the event.

Sorry for my bad english, I hope you understand :)

Kasper Bisgaard
P.S You don't have to tell my that this i crazy, un-doable, or something like that - i'm well aware that this is not any normal thing to do ;) .

So ... you're planning to do what Peter Heal did just recently? Since he did it ... I'd have to say it is indeed doable. But the current record (Peter's record) is 48 days.


Pete Heal completed the record for cycling solo and un-supported around Australia on 19 June 2010.
Circumcycle of Australia anti-clockwise in 48 days 23 hours 37 min.
The previous record of 51 days and 47 minutes was set by a Danish cyclist, Erik Straarup, in 2008.
Pete's distance was approx 14,900km following sealed roads as close to the perimeter as possible.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/PoitAroundOz/

You might want to get in touch with Peter ... you may be able to do that through Audax Australia or do a Google search on "poitaroundoz". He might be able to give you some tips as you attempt to do what he did.

So ... you're planning to do what Peter Heal did just recently? Since he did it ... I'd have to say it is indeed doable. But the current record (Peter's record) is 48 days.


Pete Heal completed the record for cycling solo and un-supported around Australia on 19 June 2010.
Circumcycle of Australia anti-clockwise in 48 days 23 hours 37 min.
The previous record of 51 days and 47 minutes was set by a Danish cyclist, Erik Straarup, in 2008.
Pete's distance was approx 14,900km following sealed roads as close to the perimeter as possible.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/PoitAroundOz/

You might want to get in touch with Peter ... you may be able to do that through Audax Australia or do a Google search on "poitaroundoz". He might be able to give you some tips as you attempt to do what he did.

Hi,
I'm not planing doing it Peters way - i'm aiming for the record with a support car, so not the same record. But i'd definitely like to get in touch with him, thanks :)

that's pretty ambitious. Seems to me that speed is the key, so that a fairly normal training regimen for a top level racing cyclist would work. But I have no experience with anything like this, even as a bystander.

that's pretty ambitious. Seems to me that speed is the key, so that a fairly normal training regimen for a top level racing cyclist would work. But I have no experience with anything like this, even as a bystander.

It's very ambitious, yes - you have to set your goals high to achieve great things! ;)

Speed is key, i'll have to maintain around 25 km/t (15-16 mph), that will make me on the bike for 15-16 hours a day.

I've always just went out and just put in a lot of miles in training, never tried to do any program. So if you have any links to something you might think could be used for this training, feel free to post it here :) .

On the Race Across America website, click on Race Resources, then Articles, and see if any of that information is of help.

http://www.raceacrossamerica.org

I know two or three local people that have done RAAM, but I assume you could find people with similar experience in your area.
From what little I've read, it seems that mechanical problems with vehicles are about as much of an issue as rider problems. Assembling a crew (or crews!) to follow you around for 38 days could be the biggest challenge involved. Good luck with the project.

On the Race Across America website, click on Race Resources, then Articles, and see if any of that information is of help.

http://www.raceacrossamerica.org

I know two or three local people that have done RAAM, but I assume you could find people with similar experience in your area.
From what little I've read, it seems that mechanical problems with vehicles are about as much of an issue as rider problems. Assembling a crew (or crews!) to follow you around for 38 days could be the biggest challenge involved. Good luck with the project.

Thanks for the link - i know a few people who is going to do RAAM this and next year - don't know why I haven't thought of getting their programs :).

Lucky for me, i've already got most of the crew in place, will only be looking for a mechanic.

Most of the US riders interested in this sort of thing are members of the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association, and I see they have magazines and all on their website. http://www.ultracycling.com/

Most of the US riders interested in this sort of thing are members of the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association, and I see they have magazines and all on their website. http://www.ultracycling.com/

You're right, they just don't have any good forum to discuss - thats why i posted in here :).

btw. if anyone should havde the interest to follow this project, i'd open a facebook page yesterday at http://www.fb.com/CancerCycling .

Just wanted to give an update on the project.

It's still going strong and i'm working hard to get the sponsorers needed to finance the project. At the moment i've got a physical trainer, a mental trainer and a nutrition expert looking over everything i do - and it really helps a lot!

I start feeling that theres a chance for this to happen - the break the record and still be alive ;).

Did you get in touch with Peter Heal?

Here is one of the best articles I've ever read on the subject. I adopted this method of training about 8 months ago and have had excellent results. http://www.ultraracenews.com/2011/11/18/training-for-ultracycling-events/Fix URL (http://www.ultraracenews.com/2011/11/18/training-for-ultracycling-events/)

Here is one of the best articles I've ever read on the subject. I adopted this method of training about 8 months ago and have had excellent results.
http://http://www.ultraracenews.com/2011/11/18/training-for-ultracycling-events/

Got an extra http in there.

This should work

http://www.ultraracenews.com/2011/11/18/training-for-ultracycling-events/

I agree about this article. JV is the real deal.

...At the moment i've got a physical trainer, a mental trainer and a nutrition expert looking over everything i do - and it really helps a lot! ...

What in the heck is a mental trainer? Is that what they actually call themselves? My experience is that you either have the mental part or you don't. I don't know if you can "train" yourself to ride through the pain and the lows that happen in ultra-distance events. If you are motivated enough you get through what you need to get though to complete your goal. If not, you don't. I've participated in 7 RAAM's, four as a racer and I've seen it crush some extremely strong (mentally and physically) racers. and you're talking about doing three RAAM's back to back. I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just want you to go into this fully aware of what you're getting into.
As far as your training goes, I'd be concentrating on speed work foremost. If I were you, I wouldn't even start unless I could comfortably ride 322+km on a flat course in 10hrs or less multiple days in a row. I think if you're riding 15hours+ a day your not going to have enough sleep/recovery to keep that up for 14,000kms. The faster you get done (without pushing yourself into the red-zone) each day the better off you will be.

Got an extra http in there.

This should work

http://www.ultraracenews.com/2011/11/18/training-for-ultracycling-events/

I agree about this article. JV is the real deal.

Thanks! And you're right about JV being the real deal. Even though I haven't contracted him as a coach, I still feel like I owe him money just for writing this article. I've followed his general guidelines over the last 8 months and have been very happy with the gains I have made. I'm faster, I feel better (no burnout), and even though I've only had 2 or 3 rides over 100 miles in this time, my long distance performance has also improved. Raced in the RAAM Cycling Challenge 400 miler this past weekend and placed first in standard bike at 22hr 46min. I have to admit, I wasn't totally sold on his methods prior to this race, but I really had no choice but to train this way due to time constraints. I'm a true believer now.

Got an extra http in there.

This should work

http://www.ultraracenews.com/2011/11/18/training-for-ultracycling-events/

I agree about this article. JV is the real deal.

Thanks - i'll read as soon as possible :)


What in the heck is a mental trainer? Is that what they actually call themselves? My experience is that you either have the mental part or you don't. I don't know if you can "train" yourself to ride through the pain and the lows that happen in ultra-distance events. If you are motivated enough you get through what you need to get though to complete your goal. If not, you don't. I've participated in 7 RAAM's, four as a racer and I've seen it crush some extremely strong (mentally and physically) racers. and you're talking about doing three RAAM's back to back. I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just want you to go into this fully aware of what you're getting into.
As far as your training goes, I'd be concentrating on speed work foremost. If I were you, I wouldn't even start unless I could comfortably ride 322+km on a flat course in 10hrs or less multiple days in a row. I think if you're riding 15hours+ a day your not going to have enough sleep/recovery to keep that up for 14,000kms. The faster you get done (without pushing yourself into the red-zone) each day the better off you will be.

Could be a wrong translation - i Denmark we call it a "mental coach". I believe that you can work a lot with your mind and thoughts and hereby better the chances of getting through the pain.

I'm well aware that some people just have it or not - and i believe that "i have it", and with the help of my coach, i'll be even better.

I don't quite agree with the speed - of course, the more sleep the better. But at 25km/h avg, i'll still have about 5-7h of sleep. The current record is set with an overall avg of 24.xxkmh.

I know what i'm getting into - and i'm looking forward to the pain and suffering ;).

...Could be a wrong translation - i Denmark we call it a "mental coach". I believe that you can work a lot with your mind and thoughts and hereby better the chances of getting through the pain.

I'm well aware that some people just have it or not - and i believe that "i have it", and with the help of my coach, i'll be even better.

You're pretty expreienced at touring but you are still upping your current maximum daily mileage by over 100kms and and extending it by quite a bit. You know yourself better than any of us so I'll take your word for it. You'll really find out when you're out there. :)



...I don't quite agree with the speed - of course, the more sleep the better. But at 25km/h avg, i'll still have about 5-7h of sleep...I know what i'm getting into - and i'm looking forward to the pain and suffering ;).

I would suggest that you might want to rethink the speed equation. If you plan on, and are riding at the minimum speed required to beat the record you are not giving yourself any wiggle room. If something happens or you get fatigued you're not giving yourself an alternative. When I do ultra events I'm all about banking hours because you never know what will happen or what's around the next bend.

I would suggest that you might want to rethink the speed equation. If you plan on, and are riding at the minimum speed required to beat the record you are not giving yourself any wiggle room. If something happens or you get fatigued you're not giving yourself an alternative. When I do ultra events I'm all about banking hours because you never know what will happen or what's around the next bend.

You're right - the goal is also to alway be ahead of pace, and not just following it. Although i'll be behind pace for the first days, as Dave, who holds the record, road +400km the first days. I'm planing on sticking as colse as possible to 385-390km a day - every day - to ensure some identical sleep cycles.

The topography and prevailing winds change from day-to-day. It might be sensible to adjust daily distances to suit.

Maybe try contacting Mike Hall, the current round-the-world record holder?
Mike has a facebook page I believe.

Mike averaged over 300km per day, unsupported, carrying camping gear. So close to 400kmpd, supported, should be doable for an ultra-athlete.