pedalsimotxilla

In a month I'm running a metric century in a month time and this is my training plan and some other stuff. Input much appreciated!

I'm decently fit by now, although I've lost a bit of my legs after two weeks of inactivity due to holidays, although I'm recovering fast.

TRAINING PLAN: 4-5 evening rides of 20-30 kilometres a week and a longer one of around 50-60. I've been doing this for a week and a half after the break (I've done this plan since March, though) and no problems of any kind so far.

BIKE.

A single speed, steel racing bike. I'm in Holland, so hills are not in the plan (unless, of course, there's such a massive earthquake that alters the shape of the country, but I rather think that in this case the event would be called off). However, I can borrow a geared Gazelle racing bike (early nineties or late eighties). The thing is, of course, that I could only get it one week before the century, because the owner wants to use it. What would you do? I could be quite comfortable with my bike, but if I get face wind for 50 kilometres (A very serious possibility in this country), I'm pretty much screwed.



CARRIED STUFF.

1) 200 grams of macadamia nuts or similar highly-caloric food. If there are ressupplying points (my command of Dutch is still a bit wobbly, and the information I've got at the moment is very scarce), ignore.
2) Water (500 mL will be enough, I guess. More than enough places to ressupply).
3) ID and European Health card. With any luck there will be lockers at the start/finish so that I can leave any other crap behind.
4) Mobile phone.
5) 14-15 fixed spanner (enough to adjust seat or remove a wheel, should it be the case).
6) Allen spanner.
7) Micro-pump.
8) Spare inner tube.

CLOTHING.

Short, padded tighs and short-sleeved jersey if the weather stays as it is (12-22ºC). Casquette and helmet.


Thanks a lot!

ufa

Hello!
I think you will do fine with the single-speed. A century will last for about 5 hours, so you should calculate your fuel (food) in this time frame.
Here are some good nutrition tips: Ultracycling: Title
I would throw more food to your setup, just in case. Keep eating and drinking, and it will be a bliss
Be sure that you know how to fix a puncture.

hamster

The plan looks good, but I have a few adjustments.

Macadamia nuts will do absolutely nothing for you. If you want to bring food, bring carbohydrates.

Personally, I would not be comfortable with only 500 ml of water (that's less than one standard bottle). I try to bring 2 bottles (1200-1400 ml) to supported events and 4 bottles to unsupported rides.

In your list, I see a spare inner tube, but not tire levers. Are they implied? Have you ever changed an inner tube by yourself?

If you can hold up 4-5 hours in a short-sleeved jersey at 12-22 C, you're much more cold-resistant than me. I go long-sleeved below 20 and add a light jacket below 15.

unterhausen

The food plans also stood out to me. Depending on the conditions, you don't need a lot of food to go 60 miles. However, if there is wind or the course climbs at all you probably want to bring something. That's a 2 banana ride in my book

I wear something on my knees below 20C. I probably would wear a long sleeve jersey and knee warmers for that ride

pedalsimotxilla

OK, thanks for the advice. Tyre levers were included, just forgot to name them. I have repaired flats enough time to do it consistently. Never with a coaster brake, though, but I assume it's just a matter of unscrewing the bolts and screwing them back when the flat's mended.
Then, more water (I'll buy a litre bottle), and another kind of food, if any. Cookies perhaps?
I think I'll have to get a big saddle bag or carry a small backpack, else I won't be able to carry everything.

gsa103

If its an organized ride, the important thing is the distance between resupply points, you only need to get to the re-supply point (with some margin). Depending on the number of riders, you may get considerable shelter from the wind if you find a group going your pace. Arm warmers or a vest are good options for cool riding because you can tuck them in jersey pockets if you don't need them.

pedalsimotxilla

Just to let you know. I've rode 75 km today in around 4 hours including a 15 minute break for a snack. With another break (and another snack) I could've easily done 30 km more. Last 30 km were with head wind, so my speed plummeted to a minimum. But hell, this means I'm more fit than what I thought: I must keep training this way!
ETA: I drunk a full litre of water. I could've probably done with less, but better safe than sorry. I dehydrated once and I don't plan experiencing that again!