WonderMonkey

Usually I know how long I am used to riding and I look to push that distance until a 40 mile ride is "normal" meaning it won't kill me. From there that will be my minimum long weekend ride and I will push for longer distances.

So... my longest distance is 27.5 miles pulling my camping gear and it took about 2.5 miles.

On Sunday I am thinking of going for 3 hours regardless of how many miles I go. The other thought is to guess my average mph and go three hours worth.

No matter which I do I will get in some good riding and move towards my immediate goal of doing 100k distance.

Thoughts?

Null66

Do you think your fit is good?
Were you sore from the 2.5 hours in the saddle?

Just remember to stand up off the saddle frequently. Allows blood and air flow, both quite important. Good bike shorts help...

Water and food can get important as the ride lengthens. Better to drink more than too little.

Check out the nutrition threads for ideas.

WonderMonkey

I wasn't as sore as I thought I would be on my last long ride. However this is my new bike/saddle and we are both still breaking each other in and getting the fit right.

Standing up is a habit I am REALLY trying to acquire as it helps. I just forget to do it. I also forget to reach down and drink some water. I'm going to have to get those habits set in a positive manner.

As for nutrition for this ride I'll probably take one of my nifty bars with me to eat at the half way point. I won't need to worry about on-bike nutrition as this ride won't really be pushing me that much. However I'll always have an emergency gel, etc with me.

For any ride over an hour I have my Rehydrate drink (it's awesome), my Spark (again, awesome) and maybe something else depending on if I thought I ate well pre-ride.

jsigone

I'd guess 42 miles in 3hrs would be a fair assessment considering what you did pulling gear.

HuffinandPuffin

Are you looking for "time in the saddle" or ( 3 hours+) or MPH? My advice would be "time in the saddle" Not knowing your fitness level you seem in your post to be underestimating, (and maybe something else depending on if I thought I ate well pre-ride) the nutrition aspect of training for your goal.

Try to pay attention to all aspects of your training. You should train harder then what your event requires. Allow this ride to "push you" it will help you in reaching your goal quicker.

Phil

RIDE SAFE

StephenH

If it was me, I'd ditch the camping gear and ride around and have fun, then when I got the distance built up, I'd start in with toting extra crap along. Otherwise, you could be sucking all the fun out of it in the meantime.

WonderMonkey

I'm looking to increase all aspects of my riding as that is what will enable me to do the longer distances in a reasonable amount of time and be fresh enough to ride more the next day. Ultimately I'm going to be doing a 100k then a 100 miler then a 200 mile weekend then just to kill myself dead I'll do a 200 mile single outing. With that I need to be physically fit, conditioned to be in the saddle for long periods of time, mentally prepared and and have my nutrition (pre, on-bike, post-ride, etc) dialed in.

As for the nutrition side I'm always looking to improve and I pay attention to it. The comment you highlighted is good to point out. I'm going to be working around the house and when I see my window of time open up I am going to head out for my ride. I may only know 30 minutes in advance so the "optimal" timing for what I ate may not be kicking in. I'm not really concerned because if I need to I'll eat a little something as soon as I know and then I'll snack on the bike. If I don't need to snack on the bike I won't. So my comment was me adjusting to what my body would need to ride and start my recovery.

And right now three hours on the bike, or 40+ miles isn't going to hurt unless I push real hard the whole way. I'm looking to increase both distance AND time, and one feeds the other (kindof) so this early in the year I won't be pushing my limits. Now.... if I finish 40+ miles and I felt pretty good I'll do it again in a few days and either up my pace or up my distance (therefore upping time).

All in all I'm also getting used to the improved pace my new bike allows me to have.

WonderMonkey

I don't normally ride with my camping gear. My maiden voyage (with the new bike) happened to be an overnight trip. So agreed... I won't add those things back in until later unless I am going to do a single ride to test out how I'm carrying things.

fietsbob

7mph for 6 hours gets me 42 miles down the road , and then I get up and do it again the next day , in essence a Bike tour ..

after 3 months of doing that you can get quite a distance .. Amsterdam To Warsaw Poland, and back, as an example.

Null66

Gotta hand it to you that is one heck of a first ride on a bike...
You got style!

WonderMonkey

Wow! I've never had that sort of sustained effort on the bike.

WonderMonkey

Forced style! My hybrid had a wheel out of true and I wouldn't get it fixed in time. I probably could have gotten an emergency fix but I took it as a sign from the bike gods to use it as it's maiden voyage. I had not even spun one spin before I took off with my Travoy strapped to it. I didn't even know how to work the shifters. Shifting one was was obvious but the other way took some tinkering.

I live dangerously. WATCH OUT!