sportive or not?

[alci4]

Had my first road bike for crimbo (cannondale caad 10) and m8 has just asked me to sign up for the Wiggle Motion in Mercia 2012 90 miles ride in april

here is my first proper ride on my caad 10 with speed heart rate elevation e.t.c

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/137957597

i dont know if it's fast or slow i'm 17 and a half stone so not that fit

furthest i have ridden is 50 miles on mountain bike on canal paths but that was last year

my question am i expecting to much of myself to get in a position to do this in 3 and half months or is it do'able

thanks for any advice

 

[Hacienda71]

I would say yes it is do-able, 50 on a mountain bike shows you have the legs the, but you will have to put the miles in before then and the weather may be inclement you don't have to ride mega long distances just regularly and do a couple of longer rides say 60 milers closer to the date of the ride. My tip would be invest in some guards appropriate for the Caad, Crudracers if they fit give excellent coverage and make winter riding much more pleasant.

 

[PpPete]

15 mph in what looks like a fairly urban environment is pretty damn good.
Go for it, and don't worry about your times. Concentrate on upping the miles in a steady progression, so that you can be sure of completing the event without hurting yourself.
When you've done it and looking for your next challenge....have a look at audax events, less people, no signs, MUCH cheaper, more distance challenges than you can possibly imagine.

 

[alci4]

cheers guys

my average speed was 17 mph until i hit soho rd in handsworth and it was gridlocked slowed me right down

 

[BrumJim]

Come out with us some time, and we can judge your fitness and make suggestions.

Recommend the Snowdrop Audax - 123km, and a couple of great cake stops. Ride is rather flat, with one hill very near the end that always fills you with dread.

 

[172traindriver]

See you are doing it then Jim. Did it a couple of years ago very enjoyable. As you say pretty flat, a few lumps between Upton and Evesham. The hill you refer to at the end is known as 'Pig Hill' near Cutnall Green. There is also a nice little rise at Fladbury up to the Evesham Vale golf club.

 

[addictfreak]

Concentrate on building the distance, and the speed will come. Don't get to Hung up on average speed, just go out and enjoy.

 

[Ajax_Gaz]

Come out with us some time, and we can judge your fitness and make suggestions.

Recommend the Snowdrop Audax - 123km, and a couple of great cake stops. Ride is rather flat, with one hill very near the end that always fills you with dread.

Quite like the sound of "rather flat" and really like that part of the country last time i was there. Shame it looks like its full, but this feb is probably a bit early for me so i'll aim to do this in 2013.

 

[alci4]

Come out with us some time, and we can judge your fitness and make suggestions.

Recommend the Snowdrop Audax - 123km, and a couple of great cake stops. Ride is rather flat, with one hill very near the end that always fills you with dread.

cheers for the offer brumjim but you all seem to go out on a sat morn and being a postman i am working nearly every saturday morning

if you ever do a sunday morning i will be up for it although i do kinda have a fear of cycling with people and slowing them down

as stated above that audax is full but cheers for the heads up

 

[BrumJim]

Sunrise appears to have places still.

We'll see if we can get an evening ride sorted for you. Can't promise anything, but might be possible.

 

[Globalti]

If you can do 50 on an MTB then 90 on a roadie will be fine. Why not factor in an extra 10 just to make it a 100 miler?

 

[alci4]

If you can do 50 on an MTB then 90 on a roadie will be fine. Why not factor in an extra 10 just to make it a 100 miler?

I was thinking if i did it i would prob ride home from wolverhampton might as well go for my century

 

[Globalti]

It's a worthy target.

 

[Mike!]

You'll be fine.

I did the London to Brighton a few years back after one ride of 15miles and one ride of 25 miles, i hadn't ridden at all in 5 years and used an MTB with knobblies finished no problem but with a sore knee.

18 Months ago i did a 60 miler on a more appropriate bike after cycling to work (10 miles daily) for 6 months and although i finished it the last 20 miles i was in agony from the same knee, i really didn't think i was going to finish when i hit the 50 mile marker!!

So basically do a bit of riding and as long as you have no physical barrier you will be fine, enjoy!

Now i'm getting the knee looked at and saving for my first road bike in order to do some longer stuff (100miles is my aim right now)

 

[172traindriver]

Keep on getting your miles in and build up. Don't get over stressed out about speeds etc, just get the time in on the bike so you are comfortable. Ride regularly and you will notice the sore bum syndrome will start to go away, your fitness will come on.
When you get to the day do the ride at your own pace, don't forget there is a long way to go, and yes you will see some people out the starting gates like an express train!!! (no pun intended), some of them may get round very quickly but there have been many times when I have seen these people struggling at 50 or 60 miles when there may still be another 20 miles to go and you go past them with a bit of a smile because you feel good and are going well.
Ride so you feel comfortable and if you are lucky you may get in with some company that are travelling at the same pace as you and once you get talking the miles will fly by.
Also don't forget to eat and drink on the go even if you don't feel like it at the time as your body is digging into its reserves and you need to keep your levels topped up.
Once you finish and aren't a virgin anymore you will be thinking why was I stressing, bring the next one on!!!!!!! Enjoy yourself.