Cycling 100 miles per day for 7 days

[sayek1]

I did 600 miles in 6.5 days in June across the length and breadth of Scotland - including 30,000 ft of climbing. All on a 50lbish road bike & panniers/kit

I am 40 something and weigh 15+ stone. Only been cycling a couple of years, but its all about conditioning. I have mates who are ultra fit runners, but its a different set of muscles - hill walking is the nearest to it if you want to cross train as well as cycling. The runners struggle to do much more than 20miles on a bike without a lot of practice.

Whilst I didnt get as much training in as I wanted I was doing up to 3x40mile commutes a week (20miles each way) two spin classes (often as well as the commute) plus a good 30-60mile ride at weekends. I didn't manage this all of the weeks weeks but tried to do it as much as possible for the last couple of months. Managed 1 x 100mile sportive about a month before the trip.

On the ride it was tough, but averaging about 13-14mph throughout the day meant it was always achieveable - avge would have been higher if it werent for the hills which were a struggle with my weight & kit - but was never defeated.

By the last day my (and one of the other two guys) bodies were craving for a rest - I couldn't get my heart rate up and my body was restricting me doing anything too much.

In summary though, with your age, plenty of training, a bit less kit (I took way too much) and less hills it should be doable without too much trouble - be prepared to take a rest if necessary.

As an aside I got my eating very wrong - managed to convince myself I needed to eat all day (sweets, cakes, full-fat coke, tea & sugar, cooked breakfasts, lunches, dinners etc) and as a result despite burning 4-5k calories a day managed to put on 9lb!!!!

Good luck - for me it was a brilliant experience and I wouldn't hesitate in doing it all again.

 

[doog]

Try asking on touring forums or LEJOG forums (Land end- John o'Groats). Most of us who have done anything approaching this (Like Sayek) have done it fully loaded with panniers and camping gear ( are you supported??)

What you propose is easily achievable if you take your time. Im 46, prior to my recent trip I was commuting four days a week 8 miles each way and running a couple of times a week (5 miles max). I did a couple of 30 mile day rides and that was it - didnt need any uber training.

I did 760 miles over 10 days with 600 miles of that being over the last 6. (first stage was high mountains) 29000 foot of ascent in total. (Pyrenees)
Average moving speed was 12 mph for whole trip.
Tips :

saddle , I took a half broken in Brooks but my arse was broken in years ago.
Shorts : cycling shorts nothing on underneath, alternate between clear pairs...keep spotlessly clean down there.
Vaseline : Despite best efforts still got a bit of rash, use vaseline or assos cream, sudicreme at night will clear things up.
Painkillers: Take some, you will find aches and pains you never knew existed. For me it was a knee problem! Nurofen plus got me home.
Hydration: I had mounts for 3 bottles.

My longest day was 140 miles before camping in a wood at midnight. I didnt take any specialist food / drinks ate tinned stuff from supermarkets and munched on cereal bars during the day with a sandwich for lunch.

All i would say is stop, say every 15 miles, get off the bike, have a drink etc -if you treat the trip as a 'tour' ie enjoy it rather than a endurance exercise you wont have a problem.

Unlike Sayek above I lost weight - 8 pounds!