Mayberry32

I started riding a few months ago. I'm logging around 100 miles/week and loving it. I've built my avg speed on 20-25 mile rides up to around 16mph. I'm also losing a ton of weight. Tomorrow morning, I'm doing a 52 mile charity ride. I know that may not be too long to many here, but the furthest I've been so far is 35 miles. Is there anything in particular I should prepare for, or make sure to do before, or during the ride, to make sure I don't lose energy and bonk out? Or, am I overthinking this and it isn't going to be a big deal? Tonight, I had chicken and pasta for dinner. I've been drinking water all day. I have raisins, dried apricots and a banana for mid ride snacks tomorrow. The dried fruit is high in carbs and does as good, if not better, than gels, without the caffeine. I plan to have a little pasta, a banana and an egg for breakfast. Anything else? I normally just have water on rides. Should I have a water bottle full of Gatorade, too? Sorry for the stupid questions. I just don't want to get 3/4 of the way through the ride and lose energy or get cramps. Any suggestions are appreciated.

gregf83 

Dried fruit is an excellent source of carbs. Eat 200 - 250 Cals of fruit per hour and you'll be in good shape. Enjoy the ride!

Lazyass

Just do what you usually do. If you ride 35 miles solo then 52 drafting most of the time will be easy. A charity ride should have rest stops with munchies and drinks. Just find a pack riding at your pace and go.

PepeM

Sounds to me like you should be ready for it. Just go out there and enjoy your ride.

Carbonfiberboy 

I think you'll be fine. Take some regular strength Tums for possible cramps. Always good to have a few of those along. It's a charity ride, so it may not be a "group ride" like you're thinking. Small groups usually form, but not always, sometimes it's just everyone for themselves. But if you can find a small group that moves at your pace, try to stick with them. It'll be easier and you might make new friends. My guess is that an organized 52 mile charity ride will have at least one organized stop somewhere and there'll be food and water there.

Can't tell if you've done group rides before, but in case you haven't, stay about a foot off anyone's rear wheel and a few inches off to one side. Don't stare at the wheel, though. Keep a watch on what's going on up the road or a few bikes ahead. The main thing is that if you touch your front wheel to a rear wheel, you'll go down.

Mayberry32

Awesome. Thank you. The registration mentioned that there are several stopping points along the way. I have done small group rides: 4-6 people only. They are more experienced riders and have put me in a paceline a few times: drafting, leader rolling back and so on until we all are at the front pulling for a while. I'm learning. I've ridden mountain bikes for years. Never thought I would love road cycling this much. Only got a road bike because, between my business and 3 kids, it's impossible to get out to ride too often. With the road bike, I can roll out of the driveway and ride most days of the week. It was primarily for exercise. Now I'm addicted.

catgita

I have always found that I could comfortably ride in one day about the distance I ride in a week. You must be young if you can eat that much carbo! Hold back on eating for the first hour or you might feel ill or put off by food later when you need it. Wash the sweet out of your mouth. You might keep notes later about what you ate and how you felt to refine your strategy on longer rides in the future.

Mayberry32

Not too young. I'm 37. Since I started riding, I've been dropping weight consistently. I usually don't eat much pasta or heavy carbs at all. I do find that 1/4 cup of raisins or 6-8 dried apricots really help mid ride, though.

caloso

You should be fine with just water unless it is going to be extremely hot and humid. Eat your normal breakfast. Don't go out too fast. You will do great.

FLvector

So, how did it go?

BoSoxYacht

That's a new one. I'm not sure I could comfortably ride 300-400miles in one day.

Mayberry32

It went great! I had a tough stretch around mile 38, but it quickly passed as soon as I got over a series of long gentle climbs. I averaged 17 mph. 52.8 miles in just under 3 hours, 9 minutes. I couldn't be happier. I ate throughout the ride, stayed hydrated and ate a small sandwich at the SAG stop. I skipped the 2nd SAG altogether. I'm pretty proud! Thank you all for your suggestions.


That being said, I also learned a very valuable lesson. Dried fruit has its downside. Don't ever eat 20 dried apricots in a day, unless you want to enjoy your success that night from the bathroom. Whoo....good grief!

Carbonfiberboy 

While true, that adage applies best up to about 200 miles. After that point, one doesn't really need to ride more than that per week. Pretty small percentage return per extra mile. That said, you could ride that far if you worked up to it. A 400k is only 250 miles and really not hard to cover that in 24 hours. Many people can ride a 600k in under 24 hours, not that it matters. Doing it in one continuous ride is fairly difficult and I would say 30 hours would still count as "one day." People do those rides with only 150 miles/week average. Have a go! It's actually fun.

Slackerprince

Wha???
We're not talking about RAAM riders here.
We're talking about a guy looking for tips on a 50 miler.


S

Maelochs

If you can do 52 miles at 17 mph after a few months on the bike, you have some talent (or are a lot younger than i ) Good job.

I suggest energy bars ( I like Powerbars, or Clif bars) for on-the-bike snacks, to avoid the digestive upset. Raisins and dried apricots are great, but mix them in with something else ....

Carbonfiberboy 

Just a little encouragement to BSY. Helps to have read the post and to understand catgita's point.

Mayberry32

I was very happy with the pace. I had no idea I was averaging that much until the halfway point. I guess riding in groups does speed you up. I didn't realize drafting would allow that much speed with such ease. I hung with a group the first 26 miles and we were moving at around 19mph pace to that point. Total ride had 1902ft of elevation gain, according to MapMyRide app. I don't know how that compares as far as any gain power mile. Want to difficult... Just a few long, gradual climbs that wore me out.

caloso

Congrats!

FLvector

Great! It's rides like this that build confidence and encourage you to do more and go longer. Don't overthink it on the eating part. But don't run out of water. And yes, 20 apricots will have a major laxative effect, so 3-4 would be plenty.

hueyhoolihan

the fact, if known, that the apricot tree is of the genus Prunus may have given you fair warning.

1991BRB1

Hey just wanted to mention that this is nice to read amidst all the conversations about disk brakes and bike weight! I got back into cycling in my late 30's and i also fell in love with road cycling and group riding. Good going on what will probably be the first of many longer and longer rides. Also: After the initial loss of weight and increase in strength, it gets better and better as you ride more and more. It's nice to be in better shape at 40 than you were at 30.