Training & Nutrition - Training for century.

So I've decided to do the Oahu Century Ride on 30 Sep, first biking event ever. I currently ride 150 miles a week in 15 mile increments as a commute. I am going to stretch the afternoons to 25 by the end of next week. Any suggestions on other training?

Also, I don't like my current saddle on my Diamondback Edgewood, I am thinking of the Brooks B72, any opinions on running this saddle on a century?

Thanks
Ron

No point in advising you about saddles, we have no way of knowing what would suit you. But don't use a new or nearly-new saddle on a hundred-mile ride. Use something you are used to and know is OK.

In the long distance forum there is a sticky which gives advice on riding, and preparing for, a century. Take a look.

TOTALLY missed the long distance forum, thanks.
Ron

That's about the amount of riding I was doing before my first century that had 13k ft climb. Couple weeks before I did some hill repeats at VO2 max for 6000-8000ft climbs with 40-60 miles each. If your commute has similar characteristics as the century (in my case, my commute does... there is 2000ft+ worth of climb each day), you shouldn't have any problem completing it. The only part would be trying to get some 60-70 milers and figuring out your nutrition/hydration strategy. Good luck and have fun.

If you're already doing 150 miles/week, you really shouldn't have any problems getting ready for a century in September. I don't even think you'll have to ride that much more total per week to do it.

First, don't worry about how fast you go.

Second, start doing longer rides - probably on weekends depending on your schedule. Pick the weekend two weeks before the century - try to work up to about a 70-80 mile ride that weekend, of similar profile/climbing as the century will be. Once a week should be more than sufficient. Do the first one at a distance you KNOW you can do easily. With the century about three months off, start with a 30 mile ride and up it 5 miles per week. That should get you up to 70-80 miles with a few weeks to spare in case you want or need some time off the bike.

IMO the biggest thing about a century is getting your body used to putting out a continuous light to moderate effort for HOURS, especially for a rider already doing 150 miles/week.

The long distance forum? Those guys are crazy - in a good way. A mere century to them is like a walk to the mailbox for normal folks.

6-8000' climbs at vo2max? You're using a different definition of vo2max than everyone else uses. I'm curious which 8000' climb you did. I don't know of an 8000' climb in the continental US. Mt Evans is the greatest elevation difference I know of and it's 6500'. There's some 6000' climbs in the eastern sierras.

Noby72, you need to work longer rides into your program. Ideally you'd get to be comfortable with 50-65 mile rides. 150 mile weeks are plenty, but you need to get used to longer rides as well. Both pacing yourself, and just riding for that many hours.

6-8000' climbs at vo2max? You're using a different definition of vo2max than everyone else uses. I'm curious which 8000' climb you did. I don't know of an 8000' climb in the continental US. Mt Evans is the greatest elevation difference I know of and it's 6500'. There's some 6000' climbs in the eastern sierras.

Noby72, you need to work longer rides into your program. Ideally you'd get to be comfortable with 50-65 mile rides. 150 mile weeks are plenty, but you need to get used to longer rides as well. Both pacing yourself, and just riding for that many hours.

I suppose I wasn't clear.. :) It was hill repeat i have near by where average was 7-12% hill that is about 500ft climb :) I think I did 16 repeats that day... In retrospect... pretty dumb for training purposes as I probably ran out training benefit by probably by my 10th repeat. Only thing that was beneficial on my next 6 probably was the confidence I gained that I can climb that height without killing myself. Hope that cleared up a little

6-8000' climbs at vo2max? You're using a different definition of vo2max than everyone else uses. I'm curious which 8000' climb you did. I don't know of an 8000' climb in the continental US. Mt Evans is the greatest elevation difference I know of and it's 6500'. There's some 6000' climbs in the eastern sierras.

Noby72, you need to work longer rides into your program. Ideally you'd get to be comfortable with 50-65 mile rides. 150 mile weeks are plenty, but you need to get used to longer rides as well. Both pacing yourself, and just riding for that many hours.

I think Pike's Peak goes from 5,500 to 14,100 IIRC...but you can only pedal up once a year!

-Barry-

Sorry I dropped off the face of the Earth for a bit. I apreciate all the input, first 20 mile ride here in a couple hours, we'll see how it goes.

Ron