Training & Nutrition - Race in three weeks

Its a short, early season one. It is a 10k, and I will be riding a single-speed against gearies. I have just begun training by doing short, 10 mile rides the past two days, working up to doing 15 miles the next two days, and hopefully 20 by the weekend. This will all be done on a single-speed road bike (NOT fixed gear). is this a good method? I have been feeling strong today, but I didn't want to over-do it. I was doing 40 mile rides last summer, but have been mostly dormant all winter and am using this race to get ready for the summer.

If you've just started riding, the training you're doing is fine. Just ride.

But if you have some base miles, you should start doing intervals once a week.

Is a single speed a good choice for a 10k? If it's a flat course, and you have the right gear ratio. It's not a great choice, geared riders will clobber you in a sprint or downhill while you're spun out.

Its up and down, not really much terrain change, but a few climbs. I don't have a choice, I only have single-speeds. 32x16 should be fine, I am only out to have fun and hopefully not look like an idiot.

Its up and down, not really much terrain change, but a few climbs. I don't have a choice, I only have single-speeds. 32x16 should be fine, I am only out to have fun and hopefully not look like an idiot.

you will get dominated with a 32x16. is there any way you can get a larger chainring, 42 or 46?

yeah, I have a 42. I guess a transplant to a 42x18 would be a good choice, huh?

you will get dominated with a 32x16. is there any way you can get a larger chainring, 42 or 46?


I agree, if it is a relatively flat race most of the others will be spending a lot of time in a 53/11. It's going to be pretty hard for you to be able to spin fast enough to keep up. If possible either go with a bigger gear or try to borrow a bike.

I have yet to see a mountain bike with a 53/11. Did I forget to mention its a mountain bike race?

I have yet to see a mountain bike with a 53/11. Did I forget to mention its a mountain bike race?


This will all be done on a single-speed road bike (NOT fixed gear). is this a good method?

Sorry, just assumed that since you are going to be doing it on a road bike that it was a road race. That changes things quite a bit.

So are you going to be doing a mountain bike race on a road bike then?

No, sorry, let me clear it up: I am TRAINING on a SS road bike for a mountain bike race, which will be done on a single speed MOUNTAIN bike with 32x16. Sorry about all this.

In that case you should be fine. There are quite a few people that race single speeds around here in the mtb races I enter. There is generally a single speed class.

Kinda in the same boat as you. Got my license last week, though I'm not planning to race until later in the year. I was _real_ tempted to enter a circuit race this weekend, but I'm just going to go watch and learn. I haven't ridden as much as I'd like since a good start to the year in January and early February. I'd like to get another 500 base miles or so before upping the intensity. Fortunately, the weather is finally turning righteous, so it'll be easier to get out.