bike_curious?

I'm really green. I just started riding about 8 weeks ago to train for a charity century ride in October. I've managed to settle into a routine of 3 times a week on average 20 miles a day. I only ride 3 days a week cause my muscles ache too much to ride the next day. I'm trying to work up to 100 miles. Is this realistic by October? Should I train more than 3 times a week? How much should I increase my rides per week?
Thanks.

EvanWCbus

I ride at least 15 miles every day, 7 days a week and I don't see myself being able to do a century without dropping dead (bit of an exaggeration, but yeah, you get the idea).

edit: and I'm in your boat as well. I started riding again for fitness purposes about 10 weeks ago (really loving the results so far, too).

second edit: I just looked at your name, lmao that's clever

Ralleh

This forum is ground zero for the overtraining epidemic. Take as many days off as you think you need...progress is made in recovery, not on the bike.

Machka 

If I were you, I'd probably slow down a bit on your 20 mile days so you don't ache so much, and then add two days of about 10 miles each.

Rob P.

AND consider skipping the October century in favor of one early next season (after training properly all winter). Your body will like you more and will hurt less. Plus there is less risk of injury from overtraining. 12 weeks from zero to a century is too fast IMO.

icyclist 

>I just started riding about 8 weeks ago to train for a charity century ride in October. I've managed to settle into a routine of 3 times a week on average 20 miles a day. I only ride 3 days a week cause my muscles ache too much to ride the next day. I'm trying to work up to 100 miles. Is this realistic by October?<

In general, muscles should not ache after eight weeks of riding, at least for the amount of times you ride a week and the distance you're putting in. Are you sure you're being honest about the figures you've given us? Are you over 70 or under 13?

chipcom 

Tell my wife that...she began riding in May a few years ago, did her first century in early September, did it in under 6 hours too. One can fairly easily train up to a century in 90 days, IMO. It ain't a race.

chipcom 

1. Go to your LBS and have them assist you in adjusting your bike for the best fit - your comfort on the bike is going to be a bigger factor than your fitness. Little aches and pains will magnify and sap your will around mile 70.

2. Take a look at this training plan and modify to your needs and schedule (you shouldn't need to start at square one if you already have 8 weeks on the bike)
https://sweat365.com/library/training.../century-ride/

Pharmr

last year I was riding maybe 100 miles a week(3-4 rides per week)....my longest ride was 40 miles and I was able to complete a century with no major issues....if you continue to train you can do it....pace yourself, hydrate PLENTY, and take in some calories while you ride....it can be done.

halfspeed

and ham?

jsmithepa

You are SUPPOSE to let your body recover between rides. Depending how old you are. Michael Phelps recovers rather quickly so, I dunno where you are on the chart.

For sure though, u wanna be able to up those miles little by little and not feel beat-up. Muscle training is only 1/3 of the game, u gotta work on nutrition + cardio.

pabuck

I'm in the same boat, started riding again the last week of June. Then, 5 miles in 20 minutes was my goal. I've slowly been adding distance and lowering the times, doing 50 miles each of the last three weeks, riding six days a week. Got the new bike on Saturday, and have done low teens each of the past four days.

My goal is much more modest - I want to ride Ocracoke Island out-and-back next month (26 miles).

celerystalksme

what is your age? what sort of shape are you in? how hard are you going on your 20 mile rides? what sort of pace are you pursuing for the century?

go slow enough and you can probably do a century right now...