regulators

Yesterday in very sloppy, rainy weather. Greatly enjoyed it. I was able to finish, but I need to do more training.

I've put up good times in running 5Ks and 10Ks, so I know what works for running. How do you guys train for distance rides? Simply log miles in the saddle?

vik 

On my touring bike I'm generally more interested in where the next pancake house is rather than how long it took me to cover the last 100kms. Unless I'm trying to get to a town before something closes or connect with a bus/train/plane my ride times are not particularly high on my priority list. I spend lots of time stopping to take photos, grabbing a drink/snack or even napping.

My best bet for improving my 100km ride times would be to leave those silly bags and camping gear at home and just ridding the bike.

regulators

There was no camping involved. It was a single day ride hosted by a local cycling club. Some of the guys there were averaging 20 mph or so. I was more in the 15-18 mph range.

TOLOCOMan

Not to be rude, but then what does this have to do with touring? Might want to move it to the road or long distance forum. You'll find more people there concerned with their speeds.

kk4df

Good topic for the long distance forum. It's mostly about logging the miles to build endurance, pacing yourself, and gets to be a lot about nutrition once the ride gets above about 100 miles. Most century paces burn about 500 to 600 calories per hour, and your ability to process food into usable calories halts at about 300 or so calories per hour. So it becomes more about pacing yourself and nutrition as the miles grow longer.

I'd suggest restarting this is the Long Distance forum, unless a moderator will move it.

Either way, congratulations on your long ride! Continuing through the sloppy weather is something we all enjoy hearing about, whether commuter or tourers or long distance riders.

regulators

Didn't realize the difference.

My mistake.

kk4df

No problem. And please come back to the touring forum.

Touring is typically the loaded touring (with camping gear), but also lighterweight credit-card touring where you stay in motels and eat in restaurants. But it usually implies staying overnight somewhere, and not being in a big rush to get somewhere. You're out there for the scenery and to meet people as you travel.

The long distance forum tends more towards those who ride centuries and longer, many who ride "brevets" of 200, 300, 400, 600, and 1200 kilometers, pretty much all in one ride with a few breaks. Many of these rides of course go into the night and even over several consecutive days. But here, too, there is a lot of discussion about the single-day rides, from a metric century and up.

I started out mostly in the road cycling forum, then spent more time in the long distance forum after joining some friends on some brevets, and now spend more time in the touring and commuting forums as I've begun commuting to work and am trying to plan my first real loaded tour.