Time to prep for 100miles

[Sim2003]

I started cycling in March of this year with the aim of trying to lose a little weight and maybe improve fitness levels.
I can only endorse what those far more experienced cyclist have already stated, and maybe just emphasise the importance of maintaining energy levels whilst venturing out on longer rides.Only you will be able to tell what works be it gels , flapjacks etc etc etc.

Oh yeah a decent pair of shorts and some of that anti chaffing cream around your undercarriage may help too!!!!

My miles have slowly but surely increased from literally a nervous trip around the block to 114 mile trip planned for this coming weekend.

Good Luck and all the best to Nan

I didnt do my 40miles today , went and done 23miles with 3 others then it hammered it down . They are all up for next weeks ride with me though which is great. I got home though and was so full of energy and little to no tiredness I wish Id stayed in the rain and done more lol.

Im using the Udderly Smooth stuff , use a good helping of it and the ride is so nice no complaints of bum pain since using it great stuff. Got me a bag ordered today to keep on my handlebars for some food. I am now feeling I should stop to eat rather than stop for a breather.

nice one on the 114 miler all the best for that ride.

 

[Sim2003]

Feeling good today , just bk from a 41mile ride, half was done in the rain. Did me 10 miles for my commute and put me a hard shift at work. Legs could have done more too im sure. Need my dinner though

 

[Norry1]

If you plan 2 stops for food, you won't need to carry much. Mentally it is also easier as you are just doing 3 x 33 mile rides.

There is no magic to training - as others have said, just get miles in and increase your long ride once a week or fortnight.

A year after starting riding, I did LEJoG with my brother - spending time riding with him was brilliant and a bit of a life experience for us both.

 

[steveindenmark]

I have a few tips. They are only my opinion.

I would prefer to start in morning darkness, rather than finish in evening darkness. Use the advantage of all the daylight hours there are. Its not a race.

Get used to riding in the rain. As well as waterproofs, get overshoes. Riding 80 miles with wet, cold feet can be a PIA.

Have a reserve of snacks for the last 20 miles. The last 20 miles are the hardest its nice to have things you like to get you to the end. I use wine gums and nuts and raisins. Dont buy packets of nuts and raisins, buy them seperately from the Supermarket. Its cheaper and you get the nuts you like. I cant stand walnuts.

Practise your meal stops. Try while riding or while off the bike. I personally get off. I think I have earned the break. But keep an eye on the watch. Standing still time goes by very quickly. A meal stop for me is 10 min max, a break is about 3 minutes. You ride a long way in 10 minutes. Try it and see.

Dont start using energy Gels at the last minute if you are not used to them. They can play havoc with your stomach. Dont change your diet.

A bar bag with snacks in is the best idea.

Enjoy it and take your time. It is a distance not a race.

 

[CUBE CRD]

Do you stop off to eat a proper lunch mid way? Or just bit by bit all the way. I gotta sort a bag out for my front bars will be able to add phone charger in there too.

The jam sarnies seem a popular choice and cheap. Il try this out for sure.

My diet is pretty good once I cut all the junk food out. I eat plenty of fruit a day as its free at work and I like my bananas. Also my gf does slimming world so our main meals are always good. I defo should lose a bit more weight before.

When I done my first 100 miler recently I had two hard boiled eggs and a 750ml bottle of High 5 2:1 for breakfast,a SIS gel at 25 miles,bought 2 chicken and stuffing sandwiches plus 500ml Coke at halfway point (to save carrying food) and I had a High 5 energy bar plus another gel at 75 miles to get me home.I had two bottles on bike (one High 5 and one water with a little salt in both)
I was tipping the scales at just under 17st (I'm 6' 3" ) but I made it round in 5 and a half hours.I planned my attempt for a Sunday in July though (least traffic and as little wind as possible) - you will probably need an extra layer or two in April unless is out.Good Luck !

 

[Sim2003]

Thanks for the input Cube and Steve , much appreciated. Adding the miles on slowly just going out for a few hours and eating during it makes a massive difference to my rides so much more comfortable and always that feeling I could of and should of done more once I'm home. Did another 37 today , 118miles total last week aim to do at least 100 this week too.

Short breaks seem to be great for me. Had a few others join me atm via Skyridesocial which is nice , I seem to prefer it as a duo though rather than having more.

 

[Pale Rider]

I agree with @steveindenmark about keeping an eye on the clock.

By the time you start the 100, it will hopefully be more of a time in the saddle challenge, rather than an endurance fitness one.

You are already stopping to eat rather than stopping for a breather, which is a good sign.

I'm not a fan of gels and have never had one.

However, a couple of riders who also don't usually eat them told me they carry a couple on longer rides as 'insurance' for the last 20 miles.

 

[Mummy3monkeys]

I'm doing my first 100 miles on Sunday, furthest I have ridden so far is 67. But have cycled nearly 3000 miles since this time last year when I decided to do it. I have tried to commute to work at least twice a week for a long while. I shall let you know how I get on Sunday

 

[Sim2003]

Good luck for the ride , I'm sure you will smash it. hope the weather is in your favour.

 

[Sim2003]

Well today I usually do my Tuesday ride , decided I needed to give my legs a rest though 10weeks without a proper rest. Thought it would help the little aches and pain.

Bored is a bloody understatement lol just want to go out and pedal about , Done all the cleaning got dinner ready for tonight and now just reading through threads on here. Gonna map out a nice 50miler for my little posey nxt week now.

 

[Postmanhat]

Am doing my first 100 on Sunday in a local sportive (North Derbyshire Challenge). Not tooo worried about the distance. Have done 75 a couple of times and was relying on my fear of failure to see me though.

The climbing, I am very much the opposite of blase about. 9,200 feet according to Strava and the last 10 miles are very rude - six, half-milers of 5-8%. Have only done 5,500 feet in one go before and that was knackering enough. Beginning to think I might not have thought this through

 

[Sim2003]

Am doing my first 100 on Sunday in a local sportive (North Derbyshire Challenge). Not tooo worried about the distance. Have done 75 a couple of times and was relying on my fear of failure to see me though.

The climbing, I am very much the opposite of blase about. 9,200 feet according to Strava and the last 10 miles are very rude - six, half-milers of 5-8%. Have only done 5,500 feet in one go before and that was knackering enough. Beginning to think I might not have thought this through

Good luck on that mate, Im sure on the day you will be fine . do you have the 9k of down hills to go with the climbs ?

My usual 40 miles is 1500 feet of climbs so you smash me on that front.

 

[Postmanhat]

Cheers Sim. It's a funny route. 40 miles of mostly climbing up to Mam Tor, followed by 30 miles of mostly descending. Then 30 miles of extreme lumpiness kicking off with Beeley Moor. They would be a nice, challenging ride on their own, but after 70 miles....

They had a signing on session today and there were quite a few riders with town bikes. Hope they're doing one of the shorter routes

 

[jonny jeez]

My longest ride so far is 37miles. Doing my tuesday ride this week and have 6 others wanting to join me for it although only the 1 usually turns up. Will aim to do 40+ this week. I have been trying to do 100miles a week and usually get near or over it.

Seems I will be reading endless amounts of threads and articles on this .

I think the most interesting bit will be cycling with my bro on the day because we haven't cycled out together before as he lives near where we are cycling to.

In that case, just split the ride into three, 25 mile, stops. Tea, lunch and tea. Take your time , take it easy and just roll the miles away.

If you want to break some personal bests for speed then you will need to train and focus on diet...but personally, I would just roll the miles away, chatting with your brother, having a laugh, stopping a lot and taking time for photos. Choose quiet roads so that you can ride comfortably side by side as much as possible.

Oh and start early, in the dark I suspect ...or...if you want really quiet roads, ride through the night...you may even attract a few friends to join you.

 

[jonny jeez]

Do you stop off to eat a proper lunch mid way? Or just bit by bit all the way.

Absolutley, treat it as a tour not a race.

Pick a good pub 50 miles away, ride halfway to it and stop for tea, then the rest of the way for a lunch, have a beer, a chat, warm up if it's chilly, then take it easy for 25 miles to the next stop.