netman9718

I have been invited to ride the TBP with a group of cyclists from St Louis. Some have done it before and as far as I know I'm the only greenhorn in the group.
I'm asking for pointers, tips and help to train up to make the ride a good sufferfest and not a miserable trip.
Since I live in Southern Indiana my training grounds will be different than game day.
Recently while in Colorado I got a taste of the altitude and the climb of Lookout Mountain.
Any information would be appreciated.

colorado dale

Between Brown County, IN and Kenhilly you'll be able to get in plenty of hill training. Your last climb Vail Pass is about 15 miles long (Frisco to the top) comes near the century mark granted its just a 5% grade but it lasts most of the 15 miles. Go in long training rides where you have 15-20 miles of climbing at the end

rm -rf

Wow, the lowest elevations are at 7500 feet, topping out at 12000 feet.




I don't have any advice for riding at the high elevations that your ride will do. Should you get there early and try to adapt? That might take quite a few days.

I trained for a solo climb from Asheville NC to Mt Mitchell (about 6000 feet of climbing in 30 miles, one way). I did some local rides along the Ohio River, 30 miles each way without a stop sign. It's rolling, about 900 feet of climbing each way, with a couple of 200 foot hills. I could watch my pace with a heart rate monitor, and try for a long, steady effort.

It's hard to train for long climbs when the local hills are 350 feet or less. But even these mile long hills let me work on cadence, effort and gearing. And the short, hard efforts on the climbs were very helpful, of course.

gif4445

I live in SC Nebraska, so altitude and long climbs are challenging to train for. The best advice I got was to put a
Walmart bag over my head and find any hill to climb. I didn't take it, although it might have helped. My first TBP was last year. I attempted the Double Triple. Completed the first day and 90 miles of the second. Bonked out going up Loveland and didn't recover even after the long downhill to Idaho Springs. For me, keeping my weight down and doing a butt load of intervals is key. And starting early. Acclimating is a no go for me. Unless I could be out there for at least a week. I'm best to hit it right off the bat. Otherwise I progressively get worse with the altitude with each passing day. Surprisingly some of the supplements containing Rhodiola Rosea have seemed to help with endurance. At least for me. I think it's important to do a few rides of that length or more as a part of your training. And don't forget to enjoy the landscape! Good luck!

netman9718

I will be out there about six days prior to the event. We are making it a vacation with the TBP as the grand finale. I think our plan is to ride each mountain individually in preparation.
I live about a hour west of the hills of southern Indiana and plan to ride them weekly once the weather breaks.
I have already been riding indoors several hours a week along with shedding some weight.
Recently while in Denver I spoke to a guy at a bike shop who has done the TBP several times. He told me not to focus so much on the climbing but duration in the saddle grinding it out for long periods of time. He said just get many centuries in along with some climbing and show up and start peddling until your going down hill.

Heathpack 

Do not discount the affect of altitude. Some people are majorly affected, some people less so. But you'll be at least 20% down on power, however you prepare in training, prepare for 20-40% more. Since its 120 miles, 10000 ft of climbing, I'd personally train for a 150 mile/12000 ft ride.

I'm not sure I'd spend all week pre-riding the climbs. Maybe climb one or two early in the trip but otherwise rest.

When I train for anything, I try to replicate conditions as much as possible. For you, that would translate into getting yourself onto the longest sustained climbs you have regularly. I'd consider a weekend trip to altitude at some point if possible.

But then again, I take my prep a little overly seriously at times. You don't have to be like me!

I have also been invited to go do this. Leaning against it because of logistics. But you have re-piqued my interest.

bikemig 

Distance, intervals, and hill riding are your friends. Altitude can be tough. In fact, I'd be more concerned about the altitude than the climbs. Plus I'd run a low bail out gear.