View Full Version : Biking 100km's (60miles) in one day
hey I'm biking a 100km's at the end of april. Anyone ever ride a bike farther? or same distance before? How long did it take you? Discuss
Budweiser
04-10-2006, 09:24 AM
hey I'm biking a 100km's at the end of april. Anyone ever ride a bike farther? or same distance before? How long did it take you? Discuss
I personally haven't but a coworker of mine rode RAGBRI in Iowa a few years back. They did 70 miles/day for 7 days. I think that each day they rode for around 5-6 hours.
I personally haven't but a coworker of mine rode RAGBRI in Iowa a few years back. They did 70 miles/day for 7 days. I think that each day they rode for around 5-6 hours.
cool thanks. Thats a lot of biking though. If fat people wanna cut thats the way!
Also does anyone have any idea home many calories I should consume that day? My guess was over 6000, but probably more.
Chipman
04-10-2006, 09:44 AM
hey I'm biking a 100km's at the end of april. Anyone ever ride a bike farther? or same distance before? How long did it take you? Discuss
60 miles in 6 hrs should be easy unless you hit one hell of a headwind. I am talking about road biking not mountain biking..
60 miles in 6 hrs should be easy unless you hit one hell of a headwind. I am talking about road biking not mountain biking..
well were biking to my cottage, and it in the "halliburton Highlands". Its pretty much hills the whole way, if I can do it in 6 hours I'll be impressed.
Chipman
04-10-2006, 09:56 AM
well were biking to my cottage, and it in the "halliburton Highlands". Its pretty much hills the whole way, if I can do it in 6 hours I'll be impressed.
You didn't mention hills...ha ha good luck and have lots of gears cause you are gonna need em..
KrushR
04-10-2006, 09:59 AM
in HS I did 30 miles/day in a couple of hours, all flat road work, easy. Just do increasing mileage a few times a week up to the race and you'll be fine. 6 hours would only be an average of 10mph. That doesn't get you past 5th gear. Speaking metric, if you do 18mph, that's 29 km/h, so you could get done in a little over three and a half hours.
KrushR
04-10-2006, 10:00 AM
You didn't mention hills...ha ha good luck and have lots of gears cause you are gonna need em..
if its hills the whole way, he won't need gears, he'll need a tow rope. :D
Good luck, man. I'm all about hills, but 100km of hills would break my knees in half.
CycoTron
04-10-2006, 11:19 AM
In warm months, i ride on average 30-50mile rides 2 times per week.
its not that bad, in fact i love it. its pretty easy to figure out how long it will take you. Average person on a road bike should be able to average something around 13-14 mph, which would mean 30miles would take you approx 2.5 hours. Biggest problem is keeping hydrated, and keeping nutrients in your system. Bodybuilding + riding dont really mix, but being a bodybuilder, and riding past people pedalling their asses off is a great feeling lol. Drink water, whether your thirsty or not. get a power gel, and take some every 30-45 min.
I have ridden longer, I do a ride for MS every august, thats 150 miles in 2 days.
I also do a ride for my grandfather (Ride for Romie!) who died of cancer 1.5 years ago. Were trying to turn the ride into an actual event, but right now it consists of about 5 family members. We go Approx. 180 miles in 2 days.
If you are planning on just going for a 30 mile ride, i would reccommend working your way up. start with a 10, 15, 20, 25, 30. Its pretty easy to gauge the distance, just ride out somewhere till youre halfway and then turn around.
As for the hills.... I live in Wisconsin. Hills are all I see :P just think in your mind: "what hill? i dont see a hill?" and just look forward to the downhill lol. I once reached 49mph on my road bike down a hill.. That was terrifying.
Let me know if you got any other questions!
Shike
04-10-2006, 12:25 PM
I did a bike tour of Ireland once where we did about 40-60 miles everyday/ every other day. I was stupid and brought my mountain bike with big knobby tires. Ireland is also pretty damn hilly/rainy so if I could do it on a mountain bike with no previous training there, then you certainly can do it.
never2late
04-10-2006, 01:06 PM
Used to do Centuries (100 miles) when I was younger. Just getting back into road cycling again and hope to complete one late summer or fall this year.
The longest ride I ever did was the NYC, 24-hour event in Central Park back in the early 80's. That one was pretty brutal. I don't think the mileage was as important as going the full 24-hours. I don't remember a whole lot about it anymore -- just bits and pieces. Like finally having the d*mn thing over with.
Our local Century here goes over a section of the Blue Mountain at the 80 mile mark . . . just what you need after 80 miles. Going to give this one a shot in the fall (after summer training).
Tyrbolift
04-10-2006, 02:21 PM
I've done a lot of centuries. Yes, water is important, but you can fill up at the stops they provide. But bring something for food because some of the long rides only provide oranges, which sucks.
Probably the most useful food to take is some dried fruits, especially dates. They have good carbs, simple and complex, and they aren't all dry and don't give you cottonmouth like some foods (and milk).
JustinMarquez
04-10-2006, 06:04 PM
My friends 55 year old dad bikes 40+ miles pretty often. He bikes with his sons POS 10 speed wearing jeans through mountian terrain. It takes him about 6 hours. If he can do that under those conditions, then you could bike circles around him with ease with a bike made for distance rides.
never2late
04-10-2006, 06:54 PM
I've done a lot of centuries. Yes, water is important, but you can fill up at the stops they provide. But bring something for food because some of the long rides only provide oranges, which sucks.
Probably the most useful food to take is some dried fruits, especially dates. They have good carbs, simple and complex, and they aren't all dry and don't give you cottonmouth like some foods (and milk).
Yep . . . running out of muscle glycogen used to be called The Bonk. Don't know if it still is or not. I'm going to be relying on a combo of simple & complex carbs and BCAA's this year. The bonk is a "place" all unto itself. Bad enough with the body, but its mental effect is most bizarre. Fortunately, it's nothing that a good post-event spaghetti dinner can't take care of.
BTW, the process of "carbing up" started with cycling many many years ago -- before other sports caught on.
Many people cut carbs the week of the event, only to carb up beginning only a few days before and up to the day of the event. This has been proven to be NOT as effective as cutting carbs the week BEFORE the event week, then carbing up the first half of the event week, then switching to a regular diet up to the day of the event itself.
Take in extra fluids to match the extra carbs.
This will give you a good level of stored muscle glycogen event day.
Yep . . . running out of muscle glycogen used to be called The Bonk. Don't know if it still is or not. I'm going to be relying on a combo of simple & complex carbs and BCAA's this year. The bonk is a "place" all unto itself. Bad enough with the body, but its mental effect is most bizarre. Fortunately, it's nothing that a good post-event spaghetti dinner can't take care of.
BTW, the process of "carbing up" started with cycling many many years ago -- before other sports caught on.
Many people cut carbs the week of the event, only to carb up beginning only a few days before and up to the day of the event. This has been proven to be NOT as effective as cutting carbs the week BEFORE the event week, then carbing up the first half of the event week, then switching to a regular diet up to the day of the event itself.
Take in extra fluids to match the extra carbs.
This will give you a good level of stored muscle glycogen event day.
Hey, could you list the foods I need to bring for the proper nutrients on the trip? I read a post above that said bring dates, is there anything else just as good? What should I eat the day before? Thanks, r3ps for good tips for food ideas. Thanks
never2late
04-12-2006, 08:34 AM
Hey, could you list the foods I need to bring for the proper nutrients on the trip? I read a post above that said bring dates, is there anything else just as good? What should I eat the day before? Thanks, r3ps for good tips for food ideas. Thanks
Dates are good -- keep in mind though, like prunes, by themselves they are often used for relieving constipation. Sometimes at the most unsuspecting moment. A good trail mix that contains a mixture (including dates, figs, seeds, penuts, etc.) would balance things out, and be less likely to give any surprises during the long ride throughout the day.
For the week before the week of the event, I'd start cutting carbs around Wednesday and get a few training rides in each day along with it. No need to go as extreme as 0 carbs -- just cut back, i.e. if you usually have oatmeal for breakfast, substitute scrambled eggs. If you want a hamburger, eat one, but throw away the bun, etc. As each day passes, you're going to feel less enthusiastic, as if you're running out of energy. In reality you are.
On Sunday (beginning event week) I'd bring the carbs back into the picture. Once again, no need to overdo it -- but you do want more carbs now than you usually have. Still ride, but begin to cut back on your distance and intensity. You're now one week from the event, and you should have enough training behind you to be ready to go. Just simple, easy (EASY) rides to get the muscles warmed up and O2 in the body.
On Thursday, I'd go back to my normal diet. Try throwing an apple or two in the diet as well each day, which will help with elimination.
I'm not sure if your event is on a Saturday or Sunday -- but whichever -- I'd not train at all two days before the event. Just relax. Training is behind you now and you're as ready as you'll ever be.
When you're two days out, use this day to go over your bike and make sure everything is functioning properly. You don't want to do this the day or night before -- since if something needs replacement -- you're pretty much out of luck if your event is starting at 7 or 8 a.m. Doing this two days out gives you one entire day and night to set it right. Mostly just a visual inspection should do the trick: brake pads, spokes, chain condition, tire tread, wheels are true, etc. You can even take it over to your LBS and they'll give it a once-over for you as you wait (if you're uncomfortable doing this yourself).
Day before the event just relax. Keep diet nutritious, but light: oats, yogurt, fruit, good protein drink, etc. Eat a meal at mealtime, but also try to keep it light. No 1.5 lb. porterhouse steaks. If you don't eliminate the steak by morning, you're carrying that weight around with you for the duration of the event. Each pound of weight can add 30 seconds to an extended hill climb. Over 60 miles, that is a sigificant resource of not just time, but the additional energy expended over that time. Lay out your clothes at night before bed -- there's no need to go searching for that pair of socks that you can't find in the morning. Have everything ready to go. If you can get your bike packed into your car the night before, great. Point is, "ready to go" when you wake up means ready to go -- not having a list of "to do" items. There is only so much energy that we have in a day. You want ALL of it from your event -- not expending it at 6:00 a.m. running around the house getting things together and packed up. Get a good night's sleep (as you should every night leading up to the event).
Day of event rise early. Have some oats or other light cereal for breakfast. Everything should be done and ready to go. Take a good, hot morning shower and shave. Enjoy the shower and relax. Plan to get to the event a little early, get registered, then take care of any last-minute items such as applying a sunscreen (one of the worst sunburns I ever experienced was a ride in April in NYC -- not necessarily known for sunburns in April). Begin the event with confidence knowing that you took care of everything needed leading up to the event -- and that you are at your best that you can possibly be.
There will be some riders there that will smoke you early in the event. They'll go by you as if you're standing still. Fine, don't worry about it. Just do your own pace that is comfortable for you. Some make it into a race, but it's not a race for everyone. I'm sure you'll pass others along the way too.
After the race, get yourself a good dinner. You'll feel tired and sometimes sore. The main areas may be your lower back along with triceps. You'll probably wonder why you did this in the first place, don't worry we've all been there. You've expended quite a bit of calories, so you can eat like a pig and not worry about it. You MUST replenish your reserves. I personally like spaghetti and meatballs with italian bread and a dessert. Don't worry, sleep will come very naturally that night.
You'll probably feel it the next day -- don't worry, the body recoups nicely as time goes on. The day after wouldn't be a good day to hit the gym -- and I'm fairly certain you won't be back on the bike the day after either.
Good luck.
Fuelish
04-12-2006, 09:48 AM
hey I'm biking a 100km's at the end of april. Anyone ever ride a bike farther? or same distance before? How long did it take you? Discuss I've ridden a bunch of 100 km's years back, riding from Phila PA to Atlantic City NJ for the American Cancer Society Bike-a-thon fundraiser. We never pushed the pace, usually averaged 4 1/2 hours to 4 hours 45 minutes, or so...A nice way to spend the day (luckily, it never rained on those days :cool: ). As far as on-the-bike nutrition, I swear by Fig Newtons (the poor man's powerbar), lots of H2O, and an electrolyte beverage from time to time. I love cycling....wish I had the time I USED to have to do it ;)
never2late
04-12-2006, 12:30 PM
I've ridden a bunch of 100 km's years back, riding from Phila PA to Atlantic City NJ for the American Cancer Society Bike-a-thon fundraiser. We never pushed the pace, usually averaged 4 1/2 hours to 4 hours 45 minutes, or so...A nice way to spend the day (luckily, it never rained on those days :cool: ). As far as on-the-bike nutrition, I swear by Fig Newtons (the poor man's powerbar), lots of H2O, and an electrolyte beverage from time to time. I love cycling....wish I had the time I USED to have to do it ;)
Me too Fuelish. I still have my mug from Phila.-Atlantic City in 1979. This was before it became a Bike-a-Thon and was just run by the Phila. Bike Club. It is still one of my favorite rides that I think back on -- nice and level. There was a cloud-burst downpour in 1979 as a cold front moved through. Soaking wet and chilled to the bone. The final 20 miles or so was a mess -- but still enjoyable none-the-less. There weren't many people from the "public" participating back then, so the pace was more of a "who can get there first" type of thing, pushing 53-11 gears on the flats.
Back then I had a 1974 Raleigh Professional (Reynolds 531) with full Campagnolo, 3ttt stem, Cinelli Bars, Brooks saddle, and tubular tires.
I started working for Rodale Press (Bicycling Magazine and others) that fall -- and stayed there for 15 years.
Fig Newtons are a terrific idea, too. I think I'll borrow that one for myself this summer. So thanks for adding that.
I hope you get some time to enjoy a few rides this summer -- it's never2late to get back in the saddle again.
GREENFEATHER
04-12-2006, 06:08 PM
I ride 4 centurys a year for charity. Last year I logged 2150 miles on my mountain and road bike. I'll probably do 2-4 this year as well. I normally do a low carb diet, but the 3 days leading up to a century are a carbfest of biblical proportions.
bigfor15
04-12-2006, 07:25 PM
I used to do a 50 miler at least once every six months. I would do smaller rides like 12.5 to 25 miles a week as well. I have a very nice trail near my house and it covers about 60 miles to the end and back. I live in West Virginia by the way, and we have plenty of beautiful trails to choose from. :D
never2late
04-12-2006, 10:34 PM
I ride 4 centurys a year for charity. Last year I logged 2150 miles on my mountain and road bike. I'll probably do 2-4 this year as well. I normally do a low carb diet, but the 3 days leading up to a century are a carbfest of biblical proportions.
That's great Green. I stopped riding by age 40 and by the time I hit your age now was well on my way to my previous 300+ lb. weight. I was so used to eating big for so many years.
I imagine between the centuries, and training for them, it manages to keep your weight in check. Weights and cycling are a good combo. Tom Platz used to do 20 miles each way to the gym and back -- even after leg day.
Always enjoy your posts over at 35+.
ironman1964bc
04-12-2006, 11:06 PM
I used to bike around 3,000 miles every summer with about 250-300 miles/week and at least one century/month. I usually would only bike for 3 months because I would lose so much weight and strength, that I would start hitting the weights again and do sprints instead. One year I went from 240lbs to 178lbs.
I did enjoy biking but it is just too much of a strength killer for me to do anymore. We used to average 20mph in a 50 mile loop and we would even average 25mph in one direction.
Fuelish
04-13-2006, 04:11 AM
I hope you get some time to enjoy a few rides this summer -- it's never2late to get back in the saddle again.
Thanks - I still get on the bike from time to time, but have been mountainbiking for the last 16 years....gave the roadbike to my brother....When I lived in MI, I had a lot of trails withing riding distance from my house. where live in TN now, I have to drive to trails, or ride on the road (taking my life in my hands with the local drivers...LOL). Used to ride an old Fuji road bike (through the '80's), now riding a Trek Fuel (and LOVING it !!! :cool:) ......Just need more time !!!! ;)
never2late
04-13-2006, 12:16 PM
Thanks - I still get on the bike from time to time, but have been mountainbiking for the last 16 years....gave the roadbike to my brother....When I lived in MI, I had a lot of trails withing riding distance from my house. where live in TN now, I have to drive to trails, or ride on the road (taking my life in my hands with the local drivers...LOL). Used to ride an old Fuji road bike (through the '80's), now riding a Trek Fuel (and LOVING it !!! :cool:) ......Just need more time !!!! ;)
Even though I live in a city, I'm rebuilding a mountain bike and putting slicks on it for the street. I'm going to use it for going back and forth to the post office, etc. Much better than using the road bike for things like that.
Like you, I also had an old Fuji road bike -- an S10S. I worked to replace all the components on it with Shimano Dura Ace. I had it locked to a pole with a Kryptonite lock -- and somone unscrewed and removed the signs, and lifted the bike right up and off the pole. Many years ago and lesson learned (unlike today when you can learn about such things on internet forums from others before you do it yourself).
I'll have to do a search and check out the Trek Fuel that you have now.
GREENFEATHER
04-14-2006, 10:30 AM
Never, I have Serfas Drifters on my mountain bike and they're great street tyres. There are quite a few manufacturers out there offering street tyres for the fat tyre crowd these days.
never2late
04-14-2006, 11:33 AM
Never, I have Serfas Drifters on my mountain bike and they're great street tyres. There are quite a few manufacturers out there offering street tyres for the fat tyre crowd these days.
Thanks Green . . . I went to the Serfas website and found a retailer within walking distance of my house (talk about luck). Drifters look nice -- going to go with the 1.5 diameter instead of the (slightly) fatter 2's, providing they're in stock. Thanks for the tip. Very reasonable price compared to good tires for a road bike.
Fuelish
04-14-2006, 02:07 PM
There are quite a few manufacturers out there offering street tyres for the fat tyre crowd these days.
Yup....am considering buying a set and saving my expensive knobbies for the dirt (although I'd have to find real light - read narrow - slicks, as my knobbies are already lighter than a lot of slicks offered..... I believe I'm riding 400 or 410 grams per tire, something like that.......I give up a little overall traction for the unreal responsiveness - I ride for fun, DEFINITELY not a paid racer ;)
Max_Powers
04-15-2006, 07:40 PM
I used to work as a bike messenger a few years ago. I would do between 60 and 80km a day, did hit the 90's a few times. There were guys that rode 20 or 25km into work then there 80km at work and 20km home. 5 days a week. But like anything, you get used to it and it becomes easier.
CookieMonster
04-15-2006, 08:31 PM
I don't know if anyone has said this but wear real cycling clothes, padded sorts, jersey and whatnot. I like to keep one water bottle full of regular water and the other gatorade (or equiv.) Sixty miles you could probably carry enough food with you in your pockets. Pop tarts are my fav.
MantisShrimp
04-15-2006, 09:02 PM
I did the Seagull Century in Salisbury MD three times. 103 miles. Relatively flat.
Once on a bike, twice on rollerblades. Completed the bike ride and one of the rollerblade attempts, the other time I burned through 6 wheels and ran of of spares, and had to be picked up and driven home by the sag wagon.
Skating 103 miles in 12 hours was the most physically demanding thing I've ever done, I don't recommend trying this without prior training (I had none.) If you ARE gonna try it, be sure to be...like 20 years old. ;)
never2late
04-15-2006, 10:40 PM
I did the Seagull Century in Salisbury MD three times. 103 miles. Relatively flat.
Once on a bike, twice on rollerblades. Completed the bike ride and one of the rollerblade attempts, the other time I burned through 6 wheels and ran of of spares, and had to be picked up and driven home by the sag wagon.
Skating 103 miles in 12 hours was the most physically demanding thing I've ever done, I don't recommend trying this without prior training (I had none.) If you ARE gonna try it, be sure to be...like 20 years old. ;)
I actually have the Seagull Century bookmarked as a possible ride this year. Sounds like a real nice one.
But to do it on rollerblades . . . man, that must be something else!!
regopsp22
04-16-2006, 02:04 AM
I used to race mountain and road bikes. During the base training phase I used to do a 106 mile loop in 6 hours each Sunday on my own.. Fun times.
AlienInv8r
04-16-2006, 07:35 AM
I used to ride 50 mile trips every other weekend. Didn't take too long, and wasn't too demanding on a road bike. I raced mountain bikes for awhile, but got out of that over the past 2 years, trying to start up with that hobby again. But if you have any decent cardio capacity, you could easily complete 60 miles.
My father used to always ride the seagull century, haha, what a small world. I was going to do it with him but then he figured he was getting too old.
Jesin
04-20-2006, 07:34 AM
I feel sorry for your taint and nuts.
mntbikedude
04-21-2006, 06:28 AM
I've ridden a couple of 70 mile days. But that was at the end of a 700-mile trip so it wasn't that big a deal although we did feel a sense of accomplishment.
I think one of the biggest problems is your butt getting soar if you haven't done much long distance riding. I would try a 25-mile pre-ride to make sure you have the right seat and short combination. Bike shorts can make a big difference.