Originally Posted by
travelerman
Geezer chiming in here... I was off the bike for about 20 years - the first go-around, I was up to around 40 miles at a time when over-training messed up my knee. I got back into it last year and it took about two months to get back up to 20 (this was 4-5 outings per week). I finally passed 30 miles after 10 weeks, and by the time the weather turned in November, I was at 43 miles for the longest rides.
But remember - for the average person, riding past 30 or 40 miles at a time requires eating something high in carbs while you're riding to replace the energy you've consumed. Energy bars or gels, with assistance from a sports drink if you can stomach those.
If you get that far, you will be in a whole other world of carefully planning when and where you ride, what you take along for consumables and what you wear (short-sleeve jersey or long-sleeve, jacket, shorts or tights with leggings, etc.), and being sure you are eating enough and properly while you are not riding.
Welcome!
I couldn't agree more. The first time I rode a century I trained for it, tapered off the week prior, didn't touch alcohol and ate properly and I completed it, averaged 15.5 over about 5.5 hours of ride time. Next century I rode, I didn't bother much with the diet and since I had been commuting 2-3 days a week I didn't really get in enough long training rides and it kicked my arse. I finished it but it was grueling.