training for flint hills tour
 

Planning a week long tour thorugh the flint hills in kansas.

no mountains but a ~lot~ of long slow grades.

what kind of training is best for that kind of endurance?

i read some about developing speed but didnt see any for stamina on hills.

i have done a lot of 30 to 45 mile rides, and a few longer but no overnight touring, and i am concerned about getting tapped out after three days of hill climbing.

also what is a good food to pack for emergencies out in the middle of 40 miles of amber waves of grain?


thanks

frog

Rode through the Flint Hills on the Bike Across Kansas a couple years ago. They were fun to ride through, low enough grade you could climb without much effort and those looooong downhills. Believe it or not, it was one of the easier days of the tour.

Frog,
Like you, I think I suck on hills. (Know I suck on hills)
The only way to get better at hills is to ride hills. Easier said than done.
During a loaded tour I put my feet on the ground when I need to, and when slopes exceed about 12% I walk.

I set out in early May on a 2 week tour but was home after 1 week because of bad weather. Thinking I'll take another shot at it. All this to get into shape for another tour some time in August. (No date yet with partner)

I have the freedom to tour as I please because I'm retired.

I hope I've hardened up by the end of August. Then to keep it!

I was there about 2 weeks ago. Depending on when you go, be ready for heat and humidity. None of the hills that I rode were so long that I couldn't pull them, but don't be afraid to stop and rest. I expect most of the amber waves of grain will be harvested by now.

I found that the flint hills area was beautiful to ride in and because of the rolling nature, you have a natural wind break alot of the time.

Have fun and good luck.

To train for hills you need to ride hills. That said the hills there are not too bad. Definitely not flat, but not super long or super steep. I rode through there on my Santa Fe Trail tour two years ago with very few training miles in for the year and found it pleasant. I had hardly been on the bike at all that year, but had been running regularly.

If you are just generally fairly fit you will be fine.

As far as packing food... you don't need to take much as I think you will probably pass through towns every day and probably multiple times per day. Just be sure to have plenty of snack stuff. For me that means fig newtons, jerky, and maybe sport beans or gels.