Originally Posted by
gazelle5333
Ummm...why not? My Tarmac has been able to handle the longest rides I've thrown at it(given it was only a 45 miler since I only had 1 ride before I went back to school but I was still feeling good at the end). It can't be THAT bad...the pro's ride them for 3 weeks set up in a ridiculously aggressive position. You sure it isn't a fit issue?
the pro's are pro's for a reason...100 miles may not seem like much, but its a big mountain to climb if your not used to doing that amount. Keep in mind also... the pro's ride in a peleton, on the hoods and are maybe exherting 30% of their max throughout the course of a 130 mile stage...they have structured nutrition/hydration times. If you watched Versus coverage of the tour you saw the workload that the lead riders were putting forth vs the rest of the pack.
My tour lasted one day... the TDF lasts almost three weeks (i think.......) so they train a bit longer...and dont sit behind a desk 8 hours a day like those of us in the Bike Forum world.
We arent pros...so we are probably running at 80% for a longer period...sometimes higher depending on the area of the ride and are not as properly educated on the finer aspects of what we need to intake to maintain a high performance level.
I think "Fit" both Bike Fit and Health Fit are big factors. I think also having a comfortable seat and properly cushioned shorts help. I loved my seat for 50 miles.. then the last 50 it felt like a rock!