Is a double century a silly idea?
Discussion
One of my mates (who is mega fit and completed an Ironman last year) did the Chase the Sun ride back in June, from Sheppey to Burnham on Sea- which worked out great as he lives in Bristol and his fiancé's parents live about 2 miles from the start.
This year, my sister has been diagnosed with MS, and my mother in law is fighting off cancer (for the third time) so I want to do a ride or run for charity with the donations being split 50:50 between the MS Trust and MacMillan- maybe it's a bit if TdF fever but I quite fancy doing this next year. I was considering doing a marathon but everyone seems to be doing them these days
It's 200 miles, the aim is to do it in less than 17 hours (sunrise-sunset). I reckon allowing 2 hours for stops that averages out at about 13mph. I'm pretty fit, been cycling to work since last September and do a fair amount of running. How does a double century compare to say a marathon in terms of fitness required? Has anyone else had experience of similar rides? I used to be a pretty handy 1500m runner so understand what "proper" training involves.
I've got nearly a year to train for this, does it sound feasible?
This year, my sister has been diagnosed with MS, and my mother in law is fighting off cancer (for the third time) so I want to do a ride or run for charity with the donations being split 50:50 between the MS Trust and MacMillan- maybe it's a bit if TdF fever but I quite fancy doing this next year. I was considering doing a marathon but everyone seems to be doing them these days
It's 200 miles, the aim is to do it in less than 17 hours (sunrise-sunset). I reckon allowing 2 hours for stops that averages out at about 13mph. I'm pretty fit, been cycling to work since last September and do a fair amount of running. How does a double century compare to say a marathon in terms of fitness required? Has anyone else had experience of similar rides? I used to be a pretty handy 1500m runner so understand what "proper" training involves.
I've got nearly a year to train for this, does it sound feasible?
Edited by lufbramatt on Monday 7th July 15:49
I ran the London marathon and then rode the Liege-Bastogne-Liege sportive (inc. to and from the start 180 miles, approx 15,000 feet climbing) 2 weeks later this year.
The marathon was a relative piece of piss (albeit it wasn't quick, took bang on 4 hours), and I'm not really a fan of running.
I found training for the run much easier. For the bike ride you're going to need to do a few rides over 100 miles, so you're looking at several whole days in the saddle. That sort of commitment isn't needed for a marathon, and depending on your situation can be impossible to find. I was getting up at 4am at the weekend just to fit in my training before a day of trying to be a normal parent.
Good luck!
The marathon was a relative piece of piss (albeit it wasn't quick, took bang on 4 hours), and I'm not really a fan of running.
I found training for the run much easier. For the bike ride you're going to need to do a few rides over 100 miles, so you're looking at several whole days in the saddle. That sort of commitment isn't needed for a marathon, and depending on your situation can be impossible to find. I was getting up at 4am at the weekend just to fit in my training before a day of trying to be a normal parent.
Good luck!
Do a few audaxes, increasing the Km's over time, it is possible, believe me.
Last year I turned 50, I wanted to do something special, my mate told me about London-Edinburgh-London an audax that was to be held in July/Aug last year, this is 1420km to be completed in 116hrs, including all eating and sleep stops.
Well, to cut a long story short, I started increasing my mileages so I was doing one 112 mile commute per week, plus a 50-60 miler at the weekend.
I did my first audax a 400km one on Spring Bank holiday, I did that in just over 15hrs, next was a 600km audax which coincidentally went close to my home so I had a good sleep, I did that in 30hrs, a week later was my final training before LEL which was a 300km ride (close to distance that you want to do) in 11hrs, finally I completed LEL in just over 75hrs, way faster than I thought I could do it.
I'm honestly not bragging, lots of people do long distances, much more than I could do and much more frequently, all I'm saying is that with a few months training, upping the distances, coupled with a few speed rides, working out what feeding and drinking works for you, and what kit, particularly shorts work for you, and making sure the bike set up isn't causing you problems, then 200 miles is perfectly achievable.
Last year I turned 50, I wanted to do something special, my mate told me about London-Edinburgh-London an audax that was to be held in July/Aug last year, this is 1420km to be completed in 116hrs, including all eating and sleep stops.
Well, to cut a long story short, I started increasing my mileages so I was doing one 112 mile commute per week, plus a 50-60 miler at the weekend.
I did my first audax a 400km one on Spring Bank holiday, I did that in just over 15hrs, next was a 600km audax which coincidentally went close to my home so I had a good sleep, I did that in 30hrs, a week later was my final training before LEL which was a 300km ride (close to distance that you want to do) in 11hrs, finally I completed LEL in just over 75hrs, way faster than I thought I could do it.
I'm honestly not bragging, lots of people do long distances, much more than I could do and much more frequently, all I'm saying is that with a few months training, upping the distances, coupled with a few speed rides, working out what feeding and drinking works for you, and what kit, particularly shorts work for you, and making sure the bike set up isn't causing you problems, then 200 miles is perfectly achievable.
Op,
As long as it's not too hilly, 200 miles should be a piece of piss if you're committed. I'm slightly fat and wasn't training for anything in paticular and managed 150 miles in 1 sitting last year with no adverse effects the next day (at the time had cycled for less than a year).
If you're setting out to do it as a challenge, (and train for it), i reckon you'll be back on here with a triumphant write up in a years time... If you do decide to go for it, keep us posted
As long as it's not too hilly, 200 miles should be a piece of piss if you're committed. I'm slightly fat and wasn't training for anything in paticular and managed 150 miles in 1 sitting last year with no adverse effects the next day (at the time had cycled for less than a year).
If you're setting out to do it as a challenge, (and train for it), i reckon you'll be back on here with a triumphant write up in a years time... If you do decide to go for it, keep us posted
lufbramatt said:
How does a double century compare to say a marathon in terms of fitness required?
Not sure you can compare them in that way. For someone of reasonable bike and running fitness, you're looking at five hours of cycling for a single century vs 3.5 hours of running for a marathon. Five hours of cycling isn't trivial, but does require some preparation. 3.5 h of running will require a bit more input (IMO) and moreover take a lot more out of you because of the impact nature of running. Put another way, that hypothetical person would find it a lot easier to do another 100 miles on the bike the next day than they would another 3.5 h marathon. Obviously this may not hold true for someone with a natural talent for running, who's never cycled.
If you bike is well fitted to you, you've done some preparation, and you stay fed and hydrated, a double century on a bike is more a mental challenge than a physical one.
Fourmotion said:
I ran the London marathon and then rode the Liege-Bastogne-Liege sportive (inc. to and from the start 180 miles, approx 15,000 feet climbing) 2 weeks later this year.
The marathon was a relative piece of piss (albeit it wasn't quick, took bang on 4 hours), and I'm not really a fan of running.
I found training for the run much easier. For the bike ride you're going to need to do a few rides over 100 miles, so you're looking at several whole days in the saddle. That sort of commitment isn't needed for a marathon, and depending on your situation can be impossible to find. I was getting up at 4am at the weekend just to fit in my training before a day of trying to be a normal parent.
Good luck!
Ah - but cyclings easy 'cos you're sitting down most of the time The marathon was a relative piece of piss (albeit it wasn't quick, took bang on 4 hours), and I'm not really a fan of running.
I found training for the run much easier. For the bike ride you're going to need to do a few rides over 100 miles, so you're looking at several whole days in the saddle. That sort of commitment isn't needed for a marathon, and depending on your situation can be impossible to find. I was getting up at 4am at the weekend just to fit in my training before a day of trying to be a normal parent.
Good luck!
Thanks for the replies, some useful stuff there. And more importantly no-one saying I'm mental to even consider it
My commute involves a 45 mile train ride with a couple of miles of cycling at either end, so it will be easy to get more miles in on the bike by getting on the train later and off earlier, building up to cycling the whole way. Just making better use of time otherwise spent sitting down. Started today getting off the train 2 stop earlier this morning, still got to work at the same time.
No kids to worry about (yet) so hopefully won't be too much getting up at silly o'clock in the morning.
I guess the hard part will be maintaining the mileage over winter. Might ask work for flexible hours to make better use of the daylight during the week.
Eggchaser1987- I'm in Chatham, kent. The route goes in prett much a straight line from north kent to somerset.
http://chasethesun.wix.com/chasethesun#!concept/c1...
Will defo do a full report for PH
My commute involves a 45 mile train ride with a couple of miles of cycling at either end, so it will be easy to get more miles in on the bike by getting on the train later and off earlier, building up to cycling the whole way. Just making better use of time otherwise spent sitting down. Started today getting off the train 2 stop earlier this morning, still got to work at the same time.
No kids to worry about (yet) so hopefully won't be too much getting up at silly o'clock in the morning.
I guess the hard part will be maintaining the mileage over winter. Might ask work for flexible hours to make better use of the daylight during the week.
Eggchaser1987- I'm in Chatham, kent. The route goes in prett much a straight line from north kent to somerset.
http://chasethesun.wix.com/chasethesun#!concept/c1...
Will defo do a full report for PH
Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 8th July 08:16
Definitely doable. I fancied that ride this year but felt I wouldn't be in shape in time.
I'll be joining you next year mate
Did my first century in January - at least one a month now.
First 200k in March - 3 or 4 since.
First 300k in May - second one last month
First 600k Saturday.
Admittedly I'm on 5k miles for the year so far. Did 3k miles last year, half of that in November and December.
You're starting from a higher fitness base than I did, you'd be surprised how quickly you get there. Practicing distance, pacing and feeding is what will do it. Audaxes will be fantastic practice
I'll be joining you next year mate
Did my first century in January - at least one a month now.
First 200k in March - 3 or 4 since.
First 300k in May - second one last month
First 600k Saturday.
Admittedly I'm on 5k miles for the year so far. Did 3k miles last year, half of that in November and December.
You're starting from a higher fitness base than I did, you'd be surprised how quickly you get there. Practicing distance, pacing and feeding is what will do it. Audaxes will be fantastic practice
I don't want to put a downer on your idea, that is brilliant, but there is one potential thing that could make that ride, well any ride really, but particularly an East to West one into a hellish ride, and that is the prevailing wind direction i.e SW
Of course there could be a howling easterly blowing from the continent, but not good odds for that.
Of course there could be a howling easterly blowing from the continent, but not good odds for that.
sherbertdip said:
I don't want to put a downer on your idea, that is brilliant, but there is one potential thing that could make that ride, well any ride really, but particularly an East to West one into a hellish ride, and that is the prevailing wind direction i.e SW
Of course there could be a howling easterly blowing from the continent, but not good odds for that.
Find yourself a fat mate who is good on a bike Of course there could be a howling easterly blowing from the continent, but not good odds for that.
You may benefit psychologically if you are riding towards home, start 200 miles away and just head for home, the boost you will get from getting closer and from familiar surroundings at the end of the ride will be hugely valuable, as others have said, go with the wind if you can too!
sherbertdip said:
I don't want to put a downer on your idea, that is brilliant, but there is one potential thing that could make that ride, well any ride really, but particularly an East to West one into a hellish ride, and that is the prevailing wind direction i.e SW
Of course there could be a howling easterly blowing from the continent, but not good odds for that.
It's an orginised ride. As long as the OP is sociable, he'll find a group to work with. If there are 5+ people, it'd take 1 hell of a headwind to be net harder than solo. Of course there could be a howling easterly blowing from the continent, but not good odds for that.
Anyways, he's training for it, he'll murder the challennge then come here and gloat. Mystic meg herself couldn't tell it more certain.
pablo said:
You may benefit psychologically if you are riding towards home, start 200 miles away and just head for home, the boost you will get from getting closer and from familiar surroundings at the end of the ride will be hugely valuable, as others have said, go with the wind if you can too!
Great advice, both homeward bound and wind factors.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff