We're all recreational cyclists here, some competitive, some not, some of us race. I'm trying to get back to racing form after a 5 year layoff, and I'm just about there. I'm starting to consider longer mileage rides, particularly on the weekends. One of Eddy Merckx's maxims was essentially ride until your ass falls off. Of course that's a 1960's/70's approach that doesn't exactly take into account several decades of physiological research and more recent methods by guys like J. Friel.

But that being said, I feel there IS something to be said for riding big miles that nothing else quite does for your cycling. I'm talking about Mon-Fri. mileage of 150-180 miles or so capped off 150-200 miles on Sat/Sun. That's my plan as soon as weather allows (hopefully by March). I can get out there for 4-6 hours on weekends (I'll be on the road by 5-6:30AM once the daylight allows). I did sort of a trial run last Sat. where I rode about 35+ miles to a group ride I do south of here (I often drive), completed the ride and rode back (about 75 miles/4.5 hrs). I had to drive part way, but once daylight/temps get longer/warmer (by early March, maybe sooner) I may turn that into a 100+ mile no car required training excursion. Plenty of climbing, a fast, short competitive 20 mile ride in the middle and a long ride home. Followed that Sat. Ride with a moderate 50 miler on Sunday. Felt fine afterwards, not beat up at all. One fly in the ointment is a brutal climb on the way home that's unavoidable - but it's only a 10 mins. of suffering. Doesn't sound bad on paper, and it's really only nasty with 60-70 hard miles in your legs. I felt pretty toasted at the top of that climb. But I did recover and rode the last 5 miles without incident. We'll see how the longer rides that require an additional 25 miles- and more ascending - after that climb play out.

I'm looking to get trim/fit/fast - and I'm not sure anything will quite do it for me like this. This in addition to an interval day, a hill day, a sprint day during the week that is. This would probably mean fairly consistent 300 mile weeks with some 400 mile weeks on occasion. That won't really be a grind for me, I love being on the road, and the whole lonely long distance cycling thing doesn't bother me one bit. As long as I have my Nano that is : ).

Has anyone else ramped up their mileage as I'm describing - and gotten faster/fitter? Or is is a path to burnout - am I barking up the wrong tree here? I think it will work. And I suppose the only way to find out is to ride. At 48, I'm a bit concerned that this may not give my body enough rest/recovery. I do know that my old NJ training partner Jack used to subscribe to this approach- when I trained with him I was 34-37 years old and he was 15 years older than me - older than I am now. He ALWAYS rode more miles than anybody I knew. And he could hammer with guys 30 years his junior - and beat them on a good day. Year for year and pound for pound maybe the best amateur cyclist I ever rode/raced with. Ranked #2 in the entire state of NJ in the 45+ category when he was around 50 or so.

I'm not sure if I need weenie feedback here or psycho therapy. Maybe both. And yes I have a day job AND a family. But the bike keeps me sane. It's a very long story.