lkngro

I meant "absolutely" in the sense that if it were a life or death situation and you HAD to ride 168 miles with that kind of cycling experience and fitness, you could get there. He's a young, healthy 21-year-old. He can do it. It won't be pretty at the end, or even halfway through, but I'd say he could do it.

WhyFi

"Could" is one thing, "absolutely," is another. Could he? Of course it's possible, but it's not even close to being a forgone conclusion (even if we were going to be silly and say that it was under a never-going-to-happen, hypothetical life-or-death situation). People hit walls and crumble all of the time and his longest ride to date is a glorified warm-up - not long enough to have hit *any* walls.

A great scholar once said, "everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." In terms of cycling, I don't think he's taken any punches in the mouth, I don't think he has any idea of what kind of adversity he's going to face. Doing rides of 60 miles, 80 miles, 100 miles, at least puts you in a scenario where you'll have an inkling of what you're up against. It would be foolish to not embark on a couple significant dry runs between now and go time. If I were in this guy's shoes, this very weekend, I'd see how five straight hours in the saddle treats me and then go from there.

motorthings

please live-tweet this.

Heathpack 

168 miles, what's the fuss?

I could do that for sure and I'm a girl.

greenlight149

you would be in so much pain, and not the good kind.

transporterjr

I would just set a route as a series of different loops. So if after 80, 100, or 120, or 140 miles you have had enough, you can simply return home.

But it sounds like you have a point to point route planned. In that case, just have someone who will fetch you of it gets bad (like stomach cramps, severely sore butt, chafing - owe!, severe foot pain) and go for it. Let us know how it turns out no matter what. Research food a bit, I had severe stomach pain by not eating correctly on some early big season rides last year. Was a long day, I felt better on 80-100, than the 50-80 prior to that (100 mile ride).

Wish you luck!

2manybikes

Nobody wants to be beaten by a girl !! I have a friend who is usually in the lead, she has a jersey that says "ride like a girl". Not everyone likes it.

Heathpack 

Haha, totally true.

Heathpack 

Seriously, I routinely do rides in the 100-120 mile range, and I wouldn't need any specific training to do a 168 mile ride. But even I would not take a ride of that length lightly.

There are big logistical considerations with long rides- navigation, hydration/nutrition, comfort on bike, clothing, lights, batteries, what tools to carry with you, when is sunrise/sunset, etc. Lots of stuff that you only really fully appreciate with a little experience.

Additionally, nutrition on rides over 120-130 miles starts to get into a whole different world. Some of this has to do with the intensity at which you ride. Ride slowly and you'll have less nutritional issues but need to deal with riding & navigating in dark.

I routinely hear people say that long rides are largely mental. There's some truth to this, in that a certain mindset is helpful. But I think sometimes people start to believe its just a matter of deciding to do an epic ride, that its ALL mental. But you actually do really need a certain amount of endurance fitness, plus you kind of need to have your act together logistically especially on an unsupported ride.

I wish the OP luck on his ride. Not the type of approach that I'd be interested in, I don't want to survive a ride, I want to master it. But to each his own, some people prefer to wing it. I think the biggest take-home message for OP from this thread should be that this will be a very tough ride, not to be underestimated.

wallrat

I think if you're fit you can do it. Riding 10-15 mph doesn't take too much effort. Just be persistent, make sure you can do basic maintenance, and put it on cruise control. Sure it might take you 15 hours but you should be able to get there.

nwvelophile

If you have time THIS weekend, why not try a century (100mi)? That will give you a good idea of what you need to adjust to make the 168mi survivable.

CliffordK

I've done a few 150+ mile rides. Not that often, but a few. They are LONG rides, especially when carrying full panniers and camping gear.

It depends a lot on the terrain.

150 miles of flat.. no problem.
150 miles of hills... 75 miles uphill, 75 miles downhill... WHEW

I agree, work up to it.

You've been planning the trip for months... you should already be doing 50 to 60 mile rides with good hills. Perhaps over a hundred.

You still have a few weeks to get shaped up... pound some long hard miles, perhaps this weekend... 100 miles both Saturday and Sunday.

Cushy seats aren't necessarily more comfortable. You need good support (which may be unique for each person), but a generally firm seat is probably best.

Also, it will take you a week or two to break in a new seat. So, if you need a new seat, you need it yesterday.

JohnDThompson 

RUSA: Paris Brest Paris

Russik

I have prepared for this)) cash, bike tools, pack food, spare clothes, gps and a map, water and juice, have spare baterry for the phone))..
No one knows what they are capable of till they do it and push, getting injured is expected..I'm planning on keeping my speed average and stop every 4 hpurs for a 30min break. I'm going to set of at 4am in the morning as I will know the local roads in the dark and by the time it gets dark ill arrive.

indyfabz

I dunno. As long as she doesn't hit too hard and respects your safe word it can be fun.

Machka 

OK ... since you're determined to do this, and since you have absolutely no idea how your butt is going to feel after, what ... 30 miles? ...

-- wear your best pair of padded cycling shorts.

-- bring your second best pair of padded cycling shorts ... a different brand, with different padding (no gel, however). You'll likely want to change at the halfway point.

-- buy an extra shorts pad. This may be tricky to find. Check Chain Reaction Cycles, Wiggle, Ribble or others for "replacement pad" for shorts. Just roll it up and bring it along ... you may or may not need to add it.

-- I hate to suggest this, but ... you can get gel covers for your saddle. They tend to be heavy and everyone here will gasp in horror ... but get one and bring it. If your saddle become unbearable, it might come to the rescue. At the very least, it will be different. So if your saddle is rubbing you raw in one spot, the gel cover might ease that spot and you'll be rubbed raw in another spot.

-- find Ozonol or polysporin ... triple antibacterial with pain killer ointment. Apply it to sore spots when you start noticing problems. A little dab will do. You might also look for moleskin which you can put over the open wounds after applying a dab of Ozonol.

-- bring baby wipes so you can clean yourself periodically ... wash away the chafing sweat.

-- bring painkillers.


-- buy zinc oxide cream (visit the baby department of your local chemist or department store) and a pair of boxer shorts. When you finish your ride, shower well, wash everything well, and then apply the zinc oxide cream and put on your boxer shorts. The zinc oxide cream is messy ... the shorts are for keeping the surrounding area clean.

Machka 

I posted this in another thread just recently, but it applies here too ...

[HR][/HR]
I've done 165 centuries (100 miles) or longer rides. Some lots longer.

This is what works for me.

Nutrition

Food: aim to consume 200-300 calories per hour. Yeah, sure, there are people who can ride long distances on next to nothing. But start with 200-300 calories per hour. Then experiment. Find out what works for you. Find out how many calories you feel comfortable with. Find out what foods you feel comfortable eating. This is what training rides are for.

These days, we like these ... I especially like the Choc Apricot Coconut & Cashew.
Tasti - Nut Bars


Hydration: aim to consume one 750 ml bottle of water and/or sports drink (your choice ... personally, I like water these days) every 1 to 1.5 hours. The amount will depend on wind, exertion, heat, and several other things. But that's a good starting point.


Electrolytes: sports drinks will have some electrolytes, but probably not enough. I prefer to get my electrolytes from a combination of food and electrolyte pills. Salted almonds are high in most of the electrolytes. Plus they have calories. And they are available in packets in many convenience stores. Get a small packet mid-ride and wash it down with orange juice (more electrolytes + calories). Potato chips are also quite high in electrolytes. They go down well with sweet iced tea which has a bit of potassium in it (one of the electrolytes).

indyfabz

Some people don't know what they are not capable of until they try and, as noted by WhyFi, get punched in the mouth. And why you would do something that you expect to injure you is beyond me.

With that said...Good luck. I once rode about 150 miles in one day with about 55 lbs. of camping gear, etc. That was a few days before finishing a nearly four month, 6,000 mile, unsupported trek across the U.S. and then some. Despite my conditioning and being only age 34, I was a wreck well before the end of that day. At one point, probably around mile 135, I was riding on a bike trail when I started drifting into the brush. I registered what was happening but my brain could not react fast enough to stop myself. I nearly wiped out. I literally slapped myself in the face a few times to try to stimulate my senses.

Russik

Lets just say woman make you do crazy things and also I want to do it, I want to achieve greater things in life that I can share woth people)) I don't play xbox..don't watch tv.. I haedly drink. Yes I moght lose mymind but knowing the unknown makes my heart race. If I go back now.. might aswell hit my head against a rock a few times.. better than jumping on the shovel.
Ill get theedication and creams first thing on coming monday. .. you can't hide the feeling of "f*ck yeah..I'm on top of the world"

milkbaby

Good luck! You are going to need it.

Machka 

Until you develop the feeling of ... I'm on top of a saddle made of razor blades ... mid ride.


I understand the whole thing of long distance cycling. I've been a long distance cyclist for a long time. But I build up to it.

2manybikes

Velo Vol 

Not very well.

Velo Vol 

Good grief. Seek help.

Machka 

They were done over a period of 20 years. I've been at this a while.