AlfaW

Does anyone cycled 200km with time limit of 13.5 hours or less (Brevet format) for several consecutive days? Doesn`t matter type of ride, official or not. Is there anyone who has cycled 200km for several days in a row (let's say 3+ days) and managed to finish each 200km ride in less than 13.5 hours?

I am planning to ride 200 km for several days in a row.

Thanks a lot in advance

GhostRider62

I have back in the day. Not exactly 200km, usually more than 200km per day but certainly much less than 13.5H.

AlfaW

Can you provide more details?

How many rides you did, how many km (approximate)for each ride and total time for each ride? Only those rides, witch was done few days in a row.

For example : Monday: 230 km - 10h, Tuesday: 200 km-11h, Wednesday: 309 km-13h and so on.

For me is important to know how many 200+ km rides you did every day during for example 4 days and times.

Thank you

GhostRider62

I did 7154 km in 29 days but some days would have been longer than 13.5 hours. Worst day was 350 km with around 8,000m climbing.

I did 200km in about 8 hours, 200 in 8 hours, and 400km in 15 hours in preparation for 2015 PBP which was 1218 km in 54 hours, so, I guess that would be 200km x 6 with each being 9 hours.

When I was young, I toured a lot and in normal terrain would do 150-220 km per day, every day. For instance, I did the North and South Island in NZ with everyday over 100 miles except the day I went over the Southern Alps, I had to hike thru washed out roads. My days while touring were never more than 12 hours and typically 10 hours riding.

I did the Route Des Grand Alps in 4 days starting on the Mediterranean going to Geneva, I think the road was D902 IRRC. First day over the Bonette Pass and Col du Var. The next day was hard over Izoard, Galibier, Lauretete and maybe another....I remember 4 big cols. The next two days were easy. Was around 450 miles including a detour to a mineral lake for a swim. I started at sunrise and ended always well before sunset or around 12 hours. There were no cycle computers back then.

As you can see, I don't have data to the extent that you would like to see. If you have a specific question, please let me know

AlfaW

Very well done, indeed! What was your averege speed for 2015 PBP?

SilveryK

I'm planning to do this exact thing (3x200) to prepare for PBP 2027 (I'm not experienced enough for PBP 2023). The point is to train my ability to keep my efforts moderate, and my ability to sleep "on command" right after biking for 10+ hours.

GhostRider62

I guess about 14 mph. Moving speed obviously faster, decreasing as time melts onwards. I think the first 2 hours was 55 miles and the last 2 hours was probably 25 miles. LOL.

GhostRider62

When you start PBP on Sunday evening, the trick will be to stay awake on command until the first sleep stop on Monday evening. This stop will be somewhere between Loudeac and Brest for most riders. Moderate or even low moderate efforts is indeed critical to conserve glycogen and also to delay fatigue. Then, sleep. Being quick at controls and not wasting time is also critical, because that is time you can use for sleep. It is very easy to waste an extra 10-20 minutes at each of the 12 or so controls; this savings is a nice sleep. GL.

SilveryK

Yeah, I'm riding my first 400k BRM in May (a rarity : a non-loop BRM), and it starts at 2 PM, so I'll definitely experience night riding and sleep deprivation .

unterhausen

I'm not sure how much it's going to help riding 200km rides. We 2 back to back in 2019 and it's pretty easy even though it was really hot. The second day it got to 100F pretty early on. The second day after riding 400km + is a whole different experience. I generally feel pretty awful until about 5pm. But the first 15km can feel impossible. After 500k, it's easy.

Sleeping the day of a night start definitely helps. Evening start PBP riders from the U.S. shouldn't try to change their sleep cycle too much before the start, because early evening French time is when we usually start our rides. It's really easy to waste energy before the start at PBP. Go sit in the courtyard or the food tent.

GhostRider62

Very smart of your organizer. 2 pm start means even the fast riders have to learn to deal with riding in the night and also gives the option to sleep if someone is tired.

GhostRider62

I am not sure if OP is trying to devise a training program for an ultra race or 1200k. I also don't know what the best preparation would be for either. I know what it feels like to me, you do a pretty hard 300k or 400k and feel like you could do another. Driving home after the event is literally no big deal. You do not need much of a rest day. I wish I knew how to get a magic training program. I do think volume (miles and hours) matter more than fancy smancy zone this and zone that structured boring training programs.