Originally Posted by
LoriRose
Resurrecting this thread! I'll try and sum it up and bring everyone up to date so you don't have to re-read the entire thread...
Last year I had just got back into biking and was doing long-distance rides once a week as well as commuting and doing shorter mountain rides weekly. My end goal is to do 200km from Ottawa to Montreal, alone, unsupported. My longest ride to date was 82km last fall and it nearly killed me as I was unprepared for the cold and the dark. Shorty after that I had a nasty, NASTY fall on my tailbone so I had to end my season.
Fast-forward to this year...
Was slow to get started and haven't been riding as much per week as I did last year because I've been super busy with a new job. I've really only been commuting and doing my long-distance rides once a week if I'm lucky. I completed 70km today, the longest so far this year, and it was quite frankly a breeze (though my last ride of 63km wasn't as easy - I think it was the heat).
So, what I'm wondering is when should I have a go at the 200km? How much more do I need to increase to before I can tackle it? Do I have to hit say 150km first to be ready? I know I haven't given a lot of info, but I really have no clue so any advice is welcome. If I need to provide more info just ask!
I'm 37, 5'8", 150 lbs in good, but not amazing shape.
Thanks!
My rule of thumb is that it's possible to do one ride that's equal in length to your week's ride totals for the previous few weeks. IOW if you ride a total of 200k a week for 3-4 weeks in a row, you can theoretically ride a 200k. The theory breaks down if the rider in unacquainted with the hydration and fueling requirements of a long ride or the danger signs of doing it wrong w/r to pacing or said hydration and fueling. In which case, longer prep rides are a really good idea. I sure wouldn't try one unless I could ride 100k full bore all the way, still climbing at lactate threshold on the last hill. But that's me - I'm a performance hound.
You're riding, but are you doing hill intervals? Really stressing your legs and lungs? Intervals are not only about speed, but also about not having these items not pack it in after many hours.
I like 200k schedules where one rolls out just before dawn and finishes before dark. Sunrise is beautiful. Riding in the dark when you're tired sucks. It's good to have a large enough saddle bag to store wind jacket, vest, spare gloves, and the usual self-support items.