C2C

[Goldcol76]

Hi there. have booked to complete the Coast to Coast on June 29 th . Basically 150miles of Riding, 4500 metres of ascent yada yada. I need some advice really, I have not rode since last year, end of summer. I was doing roughly 70milers. The year before I done LEJOG and obviously trained for that. That is the extent of my riding to be honest. I keep myself fit and go the gym etc.

I am looking because of Logistical reasons and others to complete this in 10hours or less. I can start cycle training at the start of March. Can you offer any advice on training, thing is because of kids I would like effective training with minimal time, I like high intensity rides if thats the way to go.

Any advice welcome. Should I be doing a lot of hill work?

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

When I hear Coast to Coast I always think (and presume) it's a similar one to I did 2 years ago, taking in Hardknott Pass etc. If this is a yes then most definitely, I would be starting some hill work...... Awesome feeling riding top to bottom on Hardknott, the legs stung a bit

 

[bornagainst]

Whitehaven to Sunderland?

I've done it in 12 hours with a group of 5. Getting lost twice cost us getting on for an hour or more. Some of the signs aren't easy to spot.

The whole last section towards Sunderland is along a disused railway line. A real pain in the bum surface - rough gravel, mud and stones, and it slowed us down for miles and miles - the group couldn't ride close enough to benefit from any slipstreaming. If there was a main road, I'd take that.

We also probably stopped for food for too long. Breakfast in a cafe was unnecessary.

No mean feat in under 10 hours though.

It wasn't so much the hills, just the need to push at a decent pace for hours on end that was hard, and I found the only decent training for that was long 4hr+ medium to high intensity rides.

 

[Rob3rt]

1st thing, build your aerobic base, 12 weeks, go!

Then you have 8 weeks left to start worrying about high intensities.

 

[black'n'yellow]

Can you offer any advice on training, thing is because of kids I would like effective training with minimal time

realistically, how many hours per week can you spare..?

 

[Herzog]

I am looking because of Logistical reasons and others to complete this in 10hours or less. I can start cycle training at the start of March. Can you offer any advice on training, thing is because of kids I would like effective training with minimal time, I like high intensity rides if thats the way to go.

If you could do 10 hours of high intensity riding, you'd be sorted

So, you need to be doing an average of 15 mph for 10 hours, when including breaks (say 30 mins morning, 1 hour for lunch, with a further 30 mins in the afternoon evening), you'll need to be doing 18.75 mph for 8 hours.

What are your fitness levels like (on a bike outside, not in the gym)? What's an average pace for you at the moment, and over how long?

 

[Ningishzidda]

http://www.coasttocoastam.com

Luv it.

Seriously. Consider it a 200 km DIY Rando with some extra miles.
14.3 kmh minimum.

 

[Ningishzidda]

More seriously. You're gonna have to get your Functional Threshold Power to over 275 to have any chance of finishing 150 miles in 10 hours. That's about 2/3 of a professional tour cyclist.
Good luck.

 

[Rob3rt]

More seriously. You're gonna have to get your Functional Threshold Power to over 275 to have any chance of finishing 150 miles in 10 hours. That's about 2/3 of a professional tour cyclist.
Good luck.

How do you come to these conclusions?

My FTP is greater than that!

 

[Herzog]

More seriously. You're gonna have to get your Functional Threshold Power to over 275 to have any chance of finishing 150 miles in 10 hours. That's about 2/3 of a professional tour cyclist.
Good luck.

I've done 150 miles in 10 hours...where's my pro contract (or 2/3rds of)...?

 

[Rob3rt]

I've done 150 miles in 10 hours...where's my pro contract (or 2/3rds of)...?

I have done 150 miles in 8:44 moving time with relative ease, there was some stoppage time ofc, including some needless waiting around at the Audax HQ for the official audax to start after I cycled 8 mile to the start (set off early to check for mechanical soundness of my rear wheel after a last minute equipment change). I think 150 mile in 10 hours inc stops would be a challenge, but not an unrealistic one. Keeping food stops to the essential re-fueling duration rather than sitting around chatting should do it.

 

[Ningishzidda]

Of course there will be some who can accomplish what the OP is aiming for.
I take into account OPs admission that he hasn't ridden any appreciable distance since September. He's really got to get going now if he's going to enjoy it rather than hate it.

 

[Herzog]

He's really got to get going now if he's going to enjoy it rather than hate it.

Indeed, ars* inro gear is the dish of the day!