I'm 63, riding about 20 -25 twice a week for the past few months. I have about 750 miles on my road bike I got & started riding at the beginning of the year with a goal of 1,000 miles for the year. There is a GranFondo coming up in Miami in 6 weeks with 20+ & 60+ mile options that I am thinking about. What would be suggestions for being able to ride the 60? It is enticing, but more than I have ever ridden in a day, 35 miles is my max so far & that really tired me out. Thanks, Andy

I just started cycling this year and did my first 100k(+/-60 miles) a few weeks ago doing two 30k rides and a 60k ride a week. Gradually working up to that. My longest one was 80k about a week before the big day. I say work at it and 60 miles would be cake

Go for the 60; it's not a race, I'm assuming there will be some
rest stops. Try upping your mileage and riding 3 times a week.
Worst case scenario, you drop out when you feel you're pooped
at 50,40, whatever. But don't forget, have fun

You have six weeks to prepare. If your usual ride is 25 miles twice a week, add a thirty mile ride next week - that is, 2x25 miles plus 1x30 miles. The week after that, 2x25 plus 1x35. By the fourth week you'll be doing 2x25 plus 1x45. At that point you will have no difficulty completing a sixty mile ride as long as you don't try to break any speed records.

And three rides per week, with at least one day off the bike between rides, should be fine in terms of your ability to recover. Go for it.

Thanks for the tips. I had my first 42 mile ride Sat, w/ a few breaks, it was very manageable. I am on my way to the 60 miles at the Miami Gran Fondo. Any one else going? Look for me, I'll be the old slow guy on the Black & White Bianchi! Andy

Hi Andy,
If 35 miles is your longest ride and at the end of that ride you were really tired I would be careful about biting off more than you can chew. There is nothing worse than getting sagged in on an event because you can't finish it. Not knowing your current fitness level but based on your saying that you were really tired at the end of 35 miles and only having ridden 750 miles since the first of the year I'm going to suggest that you do the 20 mile version of the event and see how you do. Then overtime start building up your mileage so that you can do the longer events. I'm 66 years old and ride over 7000 miles per year. If you would like some input feel free to give me a call. Go to my website https://coachloren.wordpress.com click on the contact page. My phone number is there.

Update: been adding the miles for training. Had a 42 miler 2 weekends ago, 70 miles last week in a 20 on Wed, 30 on Sat & 20 on Sun with big headwinds. I think I 'm going to be good to try the 55. Have new lighter wheels and tires coming which should help make my ride more efficient. Now I have a fun decision - where to start in the pack. I think I have a chance to start in the front corral but that means a lot of much faster people will be going past me. Or start towards the back 2/3 where my pace may be more in line with the others around me. Andy

Again, thanks for the pointers and encouragement. 41.2 today with a lot of headwind in 2 1/2 hrs. Today I used the drinks, bottles, cliff bar and gels I plan on using next week, nothing new for the event except the wheels and tires. I also have an endurance plan besides the rest stops, just keep pedaling! See you at the Fondo! Andy

Hi Andy! I will be doing my third Fondo ride and happy you will be there. Im 55 and will be doing the full. thank goodness its flat, but it still wont be easy considering it long, windy and boring. Im suggestion, is be fully hydrated, consume 300-500 calories an hour, and maintain a consistent cadence. Dont be tempted to jump in with the riders passing you by. Pace yourself, for you need to have remaining bullets to the end.
Remember its not a race, but as they say in a race, the one that is most rested wins.
Good Luck and see you at the starting line at 7am - Al

Thanks to all for the advice. Completed my longest ride ever the 55! Tail wind at the end helped. Actually felt like I still had legs left at teh end, at least enough to walk around and work the next day. The training worked, and the ride went fine. Had some mechanical troubles and the FSA Neutral Support guys were key in making my ride actually happen. Thanks all. Now I'm looking around for a metric century to stretch the miles....Andy