kcscooterdude

Okay, 475 miles in eight days. I want to do next year's Bike Across Kansas, which is almost exactly a year away.

I need advice on training. It's about 59 miles a day average.

I am 43, and just getting back into cycling after a health issue last fall. I ride every other day and can do 4 or 5 miles on my one-speed cruiser. I am getting a Specialized Sirrus in a few weeks, which is the bike I plan to do this ride on.

Kansas is flat, but from what I understand (and my experience driving in that part of the country) there are plenty of hills, though few if any are extremely difficult. The ride probably loses about 2,700 feet of elevation between the Colorado and Missouri borders. Riders don't have to carry all their gear on the bike, for what that's worth.

How would one go about building up the endurance for this event?

Thanks in advance for any help.

10 Wheels

Ride slow, ride as much as you can handle, take on your problems as they arise, asked for help for problems, Rest when you need to take days off.

You will get stronger each week.

10 Wheels

I started with 5 mile rides, rest and then another 5 mile ride. Did 50 miles one day like that.

unterhausen

keep doubling the amount you ride. Start out with 5-10 mile rides if that feels comfortable to you. Work your way up. Once you can ride 20 miles comfortably, ride 40 occasionally. Riding for an hour on a regular basis with a few longer rides thrown in on the weekends is a really good way to get to the point where you can ride 60 miles.

Richard Cranium

Start slow, and then be sure to take plenty of breaks.

Don't be afraid to have a mechanic double check your tire pressure. And be sure to use plenty of sun-screen.

But most of all - don't be hero. If you feel a little down - don't be shy about getting a sag ride in for the day - that's assuming you had a good enough lunch and won't miss anything.

kcscooterdude

Thanks everyone. I'll post on my progress. I've been riding every other day enough that I'm ready to go every day and work on increasing mileage and doing longer rides on the weekends. I'm at the point that I miss it on those days I don't ride, so I'm doing something right.

10 Wheels

Check back when you have a probelm or question.

kcscooterdude

Well, I went with a Specialzed Allez. I determined a road bike was best for me after riding a few and getting help from the LBS guy. I found it way more comfortable than the Sirrus, though it is obviously a great bike (they've sold 1,000s). I might want to upgrade to a Tricross before attempting a 475-miler, but for now, I want to put my training time in on the Allez. BTW, 10 Wheels, I'm Type II after a gall stone got stuck and killed off 80 percent of my pancreas. Doc says more weight loss and I might be able to reduce my need for insulin. The cycling keeps me in great control.

10 Wheels

Nice bike........