fitness dropoff worries

[MattHB]

Im struggling with motivation at the moment in my training for the 100m macmillan ride on july 1st. The last 4 weeks have been a bit of a nightmare, with rain rain wind wind rain for the first 2, and hot hot hot sun for the last 2!! This has meant Ive not done any longer distance (over 50m) for quite a while. To top that we're away in wales next week for a week and I wont have the bike with me.

I can do about 70m without too much trouble, so Im hoping the extra push for the 100 wont be too bad. But will these lighter weeks hurt my distance capacity?

And how can I best use the 3 weeks when I come back.. I ride better on long distances with a very light 2 weeks before hand, so that only gives me 1 week after we come home!

Am I worrying about nothing? Or am I in danger of not making it on the day?

 

[Jmetz]

Should be fine. I hadn't ridden over 30 miles in a year and did the 100 last month. Granted I had been running a reasonable amount but I'm sure you will have no problems at all. Just pace yourself and keep hydrated

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Struggling to keep motivated on an arduous training schedule?

Leave the computer at home; ignore your schedule; ditch your regular training loops: just ride for the pleasure of it!

I've taken a hit with the weather too and got pretty fed-up that I had fallen behind, so I did all the above and am back in the swing of things.

If you can do seventy, you can do one hundred! Any sensible programme will have you taking it easy for the week before an event, but one long ride in each of the preceding weeks won't do you any harm. If you have the time, do shorter rides totalling that week's longest ride, eg four, twenty mile rides and one, eighty mile ride.

 

[edindave]

You'll be fine. Maybe do a 70mi when you get back and then have your easy two weeks.
When I made the jump from 80mi to 100mi the hard part for me was the nutrition. I almost bonked just before 90 miles but luckily I had an energy bar. Just make sure you keep the fuel intake up, as well as the hydration

 

[4F]

If you can do 70 then 100 will be fine. Scilly Suffolk has hit the nail on the head, get out and enjoy your riding rather than worrying about keeping to a schedule.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

...get out and enjoy your riding rather than worrying about keeping to a schedule.

...and don't forget to polish your quill!

 

[amaferanga]

If the aim is just to get round you'll be fine.

But I'd say that a light 2 weeks before hand is totally unnecessary. It's more likely to do you harm than good. A light few days should leave you feeling plenty fresh enough.

You need to stop making excuses for not riding though - it's not been that wet and a bit of sun and heat during a ride won't do you any harm as long as you slap a bit of sunscreen on and drink plenty of water.

 

[MattHB]

If the aim is just to get round you'll be fine.

But I'd say that a light 2 weeks before hand is totally unnecessary. It's more likely to do you harm than good. A light few days should leave you feeling plenty fresh enough.

You need to stop making excuses for not riding though - it's not been that wet and a bit of sun and heat during a ride won't do you any harm as long as you slap a bit of sunscreen on and drink plenty of water.

Probably true on all counts. I think work has worn me out in the last 4 weeks.. Half term this coming week which is hugely needed so I'm sure I'll be firing on all cylinders again.

Despite everything I'm still commuting 56 miles a week rain or shine anyway.. So it's not like I'm got off the wagon altogether.

 

[black'n'yellow]

if you can ride 70 already, then the only barrier to 100 is in your head....