Capecodder

I'm doing my first ever event ride for MS and wonder if anyone could give me a tip or two as far as getting ready for the ride. The ride will be 26.1 miles and I currently ride about 8-10 miles 4-5 times per week and a little less on the other days. I've not yet rode a 26 mile none stop run and wonder what to expect and how I should train in the up coming weeks. The ride will be Oct 2nd and I want to be ready. Here is what I'll be riding. I really want to be able to finish the ride as my wife has MS and I don't want to let her down. This is my web page for the ride if anyone would like to make a donation and no amount it too small. I just want my first ride to be a good memory.

https://www.mccourtbike.org/faf/donor...upId=301457712



Thanks in advance,
Mike

BluesDawg

Nice Shogun.
I think you could ride 26 miles tomorrow. But to ease into it, just start adding a little extra distance to one or two of your rides each week. As it gets easier, make all your rides a bit longer but still make a couple of them longer still. You don't necessarily need to do 26 miles in advance of the ride. If you can build up to doing, say 20 miles comfortably, you'll be fine for the event. I don't know your eating and hydration habits, but make sure you eat breakfast before the ride and that you drink about a bottle of water per hour while riding.

c.miller64

You're ready.

gtragitt

+1

bobthib

You will be surprised. Unless you have some significant health limitations, you will have no problem. There are usually SAG stops about every 10 mi. Stop, stretch, drink, and eat a little. You will wish you had signed up for a longer ride!

bobkat

Seems a kind of rough rule of thumb is that you can easily do 3 times what you usually train at, whether it be swimming, biking, running or whatever. So your 8 - 10 miles shoulc make it a cakewalk. I'd bet you do fine and feel like you're barely warmed up after the 26 miles.
Every MS event I've ridden fields a variety of riders of varrying physical ability, with lots of rest stops. No hurry to finish, either.
Good luck! Keep us informed!

stapfam

I'd train for it and make your first distance ride in a couple of weeks- September 18th to be precise on an International ride. only a 15 miler but could be longer but there is a compulsory break about halfway round.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=Pie+Ride

Don't worry about the milage- but get some saddle time in- Reckon the butt will be your main problem.

skilsaw

Check the ride out for hills.
If the ride is hilly, train on hills.

And good luck. You will have a blast.

BengeBoy 

Seems to me like you're ready now -- the best news to me is that you're riding 4 to 5 x per week. In my own experience, making sure you are riding some distance frequently is almost as important as the distance you ride.

Another rough rule of thumb -- you can ride in a day what you regularly ride in a week. Sounds like you're doing at least 50 miles a week on a regular basis, so 26 miles should be a piece of cake. Or, piece of pie, as we would say around here.


good luck and have fun.

kr32

Agree with all the above and to me you got enough motivation to get the miles in and not let her down. Don't worry, you wont.

Have fun , you will.

12bar

Just take your time and ride your ride and don't get caught up in the rush to get going, it's a ride not a race. I have ridden something like 18 MS150's over the years and seen many a rider take off like it was a time trial only to burn out half way through the first day. As for training based on your current mileage I think you are ready today. Have a great ride.

NOS88

Do you know the route? If so, it might be worth riding it or driving it before hand. That way there will be no surprises.

Capecodder

I want to thank everyone for all the support, It sure makes me feel confident. I will keep everyone posted, and keep the comments coming

Thanks,
Mike