Originally Posted by
cyclezealot
As I said, i could do lots more to train for speed . Pretty much my only training is riding in the mountains. Plus, my usual 180 mile a week average . But, then some of these riders only ride once a week. I ride 3-5 days . I just hate it , when once, twice a ride they stop for me to play catch up.
In my group I am the "Slow" rider. Last on the flats- Not too bad on the sprints and just mediocre up the hills. That is for 11 months of the year. I train for one very hard ride each year and that involves lots of riding up tough hills and lots of gym training. I know I am fit enough for this ride- When I win all the sprints- Can stay with the fast boys on the flat bits but just put a wheel in front when I want to and when up the hills- I get the fast climbers Huffing and puffing just in front of me- till the last 20yards. Then I leave then standing, Or sitting as they can't get out of the saddle.
I can tell you that the training is hard and lasts for 6 months in my case- I do the ride- and then settle into the kind of riding I enjoy- till the 6 months before next years event. You want to get fit- Train- and train- and train and when you have had enough- Train some more. Not very enjoyable though.