I am hoping to accomplish a 63-mile ride for Kids in Distress in December. I currently lack endurance to do the ride and am ramping up my riding/distance for this event. My average rides are around 30-miles.

Would it be beneficial to add weight, such as carrying a backpack during my rides (10-extra pounds)?
I also hope to have dropped 15-pounds by December which might make a difference?
Any suggestions to increase my endurance in this short timeframe?

Thanks,
Mike

carrying extra weight will definatly make you work harder. working harder can make you more fit if you don't overdo it. you might want to post this in the training and nutrition forum and see what those folks have to say.

Don't do it.

Could you elaborate please?

This sounds like it would work, but not necessarily the most efficient way to increase strength. Intervals would seem better at increasing your fitness. As far as the weight adding goes, don't put it on your back, put it on your bike. Your back muscles will appreciate this later

^^ Covers it. Really, it's not a valid training technique.

To get a harder workout on a bike, all you have to do is ride faster. When I commute with a backpack, my power files look just like the times I commute without a backpack.

[EDIT:]
Do a Google search for "MS-150 training plan," where you can see the types of riding you can do to prepare for your ride. Most of the MS rides are ~75 miles two days in a row, so the training plan will over prepare you slightly, but you can make adjustments.

you're more likely to end up with a back injury or some other chronic injury due to being in a goofy position than you are to gain fitness.

good that youre starting now to train for a ride in December. you've got time to build fitness. just ride consistently and you'll increase your endurance enough to complete your target event.

Thank you all.
I can agree that my back hates its 13 mile commute to work each Monday.
Maybe a bento box filled with lead??

Your bike holds the extra weight up. You'll feel the difference when accelerating or climbing, but otherwise it really shouldn't make a big difference - you see bigger riders who are really strong and fast on flat and rolling courses all the time, but you rarely see a really big rider who is a great climber.

JB

No.

Look, I do a hilly 50 mile ride with two full 24oz bottles, jersey pockets of crap, a two pound seat pack, a frame pump, and who knows what else.

I do a crit with one half full bottle and none of the other stuff. I don't notice the difference.
My back does know the difference if loaded heavier than usual for my commutes. My legs and lungs don't.

I hear that! Hence why I don't hyper focus on light weight crap - ever (I don't climb major mountains, however).

I took 10 years off and added 40 lbs. The training is most definitely NOT better!

;-)

Thanks for the support Castiron. For the record, I'm a big fat fatty fat dude too. How's that coming along for you?

It may also destroy the OP's back if he uses a back pack.

Pick a hill, climb and descend repeatedly for an hour. Rest a day. Repeat. If your doctor allows this - its tough. Increase severity by going faster and repeating more times.

People used to train with weights in a backpack in the 80s until some coaches went out and debunked its perceived advantages. Yes you will work harder, but not any harder as you would if you just rode faster or longer. So if you want a better workout, add some miles and increase a pace little by little. Best of luck!

I float well at the pool.

If you are already managing 30 miles then 100km is not going to be as bad as you think.

Unless you are doing a lot of climbing I don't think weight is really going to make too much difference.

There are some good training plans online.

I found that The best training for longer distances for me was increasing my cadence. I used to mash big gears but over time I have increased cadence and my recovery has improved significantly.

Good luck with a good cause.