How to train for 50k in two weeks - Road biking
Discussion
Agreed to do a charity cycle a couple of weeks back, unfotunately my bike needed to go into the shop for repairs, to cut a long story short due to delays with parts etc...I've only just gotten my bike back.
Now I'm far from fit, did 8 miles on it this morning felt ok but have a few little aches and pains after it. Plan on going out again this evening to see how I get on.
So how does someone get from being relatively unfit to cycling 50k in a couple of weeks? I'd just like to feel comfortable trying to do it, not looking to break any records.
Now I'm far from fit, did 8 miles on it this morning felt ok but have a few little aches and pains after it. Plan on going out again this evening to see how I get on.
So how does someone get from being relatively unfit to cycling 50k in a couple of weeks? I'd just like to feel comfortable trying to do it, not looking to break any records.
PintOfKittens said:
8 -> 50 in a few weeks? Good luck 
Ideally you want a 10% increase per week otherwise you will injure yourself
Well 8 miles so 12.8k - 50k Ideally you want a 10% increase per week otherwise you will injure yourselfI'm sure I could do more just ran out of time this morning, I'd say I could comfortably do about 20k but after that I'd struggle. I am wary of injuring myself but I have taken sponsorship money for this event so am committed to doing it. Luckily there is a compulsory rest stop at the half way point, so that should help
50k is only 31 miles.
Unless the route is very hilly, then you would probably be able to do it tomorrow.
In my opinion, the best way to train for a particular cycle is to cycle on similar roads and in similar conditions.
Just ride as much as you can between now and the event, and you'll do it very easily.
Unless the route is very hilly, then you would probably be able to do it tomorrow.
In my opinion, the best way to train for a particular cycle is to cycle on similar roads and in similar conditions.
Just ride as much as you can between now and the event, and you'll do it very easily.
As above a non hilly 31 miles should not be a problem. Is time an issue? because you'd be able to do it in 3 hours without breaking sweat but once you are going I am sure that you would like to go faster.
I am a novice at this cycling lark but I took my new single speed out for a 10 mile run and ended up cycling 26 miles to see a mate, had a cuppa and a chat then cycled back and was surprised to find it no problem at all.
Good luck.
I am a novice at this cycling lark but I took my new single speed out for a 10 mile run and ended up cycling 26 miles to see a mate, had a cuppa and a chat then cycled back and was surprised to find it no problem at all.
Good luck.
dont worry about the overall distance, break it up into 3x10 mile sectors and you should have no problems.
get your bike comfy, vary your route and just get on the bike and get the miles in. 31 miles isnt that far that you will suffer. practice riding and taking on fluid (you dont have to do this whilst on the move, if its easier, stop for a few minutes) it helps your body to react to taking on food/fluid and then immediately restarting the pedalling action though.
really, if you can cycle 22-24 miles without too much pain then 31 will be fine, it sounds odd but most peopel training for a marathon will only ever train to 20-23 miles. cycling with other people will give you a lift, the camaraderie will help you through hte final few miles...
you shouldnt need to take on to much food whilst riding but take stuff you like, NOT stuff you think your body might need. if you like mars bars, takke them, its a charity ride not le tour de france!
get your bike comfy, vary your route and just get on the bike and get the miles in. 31 miles isnt that far that you will suffer. practice riding and taking on fluid (you dont have to do this whilst on the move, if its easier, stop for a few minutes) it helps your body to react to taking on food/fluid and then immediately restarting the pedalling action though.
really, if you can cycle 22-24 miles without too much pain then 31 will be fine, it sounds odd but most peopel training for a marathon will only ever train to 20-23 miles. cycling with other people will give you a lift, the camaraderie will help you through hte final few miles...
you shouldnt need to take on to much food whilst riding but take stuff you like, NOT stuff you think your body might need. if you like mars bars, takke them, its a charity ride not le tour de france!
Hi everyone thanks for the advice, looking at the route I think it should be ok, theres one 'climb' its about a 2% gradient that goes on for a couple of miles, I have very similar but shorter hills nearby at home so I should be able to use those to train my legs up a bit.
Other than that I don't think it'll be too bad just a matter of getting some distance under me. Thanks for the tips on hydration and nutrition too, I'm utterly clueless in that area.
Other than that I don't think it'll be too bad just a matter of getting some distance under me. Thanks for the tips on hydration and nutrition too, I'm utterly clueless in that area.
with regards to hydration and nutrition, its too late to try identifying what energy bars and gels etc work best for you, some people can react quite badly to some stuff, the cponcentration of gels is quite hard to get used to if you are not familiar with them so trying new stuff on a day like this is generally best avoided and as its "only" 31 miles, you really shouldnt need anything like that.
just take two bottles, one with water, one with orange squash and some things that you like that are easily digested. a ham roll tucked in your pocket will be fine. if you can find them, cadburys creme eggs are great, a massive boost of quick releasing sugar and a big grin on your face!
just take two bottles, one with water, one with orange squash and some things that you like that are easily digested. a ham roll tucked in your pocket will be fine. if you can find them, cadburys creme eggs are great, a massive boost of quick releasing sugar and a big grin on your face!
My first "long trip" last year was a solo to Brighton, about 58 miles in the end. All I had on me was my bottle of water and 2 bananas.
That got me 35 miles then I stopped at a pub for fish and chips and a pint of local ale. I was tempted to get the Landlady to fill my bottle with the same ale but went for water instead and a packet of crisps.
That got me the beach where I feasted on the crisps.
6 hours including stops and the hour at the pub.
Train home after a few more ales.
My longest trip before this one was 10 miles so OP you will be fine.
That got me 35 miles then I stopped at a pub for fish and chips and a pint of local ale. I was tempted to get the Landlady to fill my bottle with the same ale but went for water instead and a packet of crisps.
That got me the beach where I feasted on the crisps.
6 hours including stops and the hour at the pub.
Train home after a few more ales.
My longest trip before this one was 10 miles so OP you will be fine.
patmahe said:
theres one 'climb' its about a 2% gradient that goes on for a couple of miles
That's not a hill that's a bump!! 
To answer your OP; ride, ride and ride some more but not too often...... say every 3rd day... I'd be very surprised if you didn't have the 31miles in your legs but it might be your arse that struggles.
As others have said 31miles isn't that far really...... good points on drinking and eating already made.
The one thing that hasn't been mentioned is tyres and pressure of tyres..... if you're doing the ride on an MTB get some MTB slicks.... If the roads are dry increase the pressure of your tyres..... on a road bike you can safely ride at 140psi and on an MTB 60psi (but check max tyre pressures in side wall) this will reduce the rolling resistance and therefore make the 31miles actually easier.
Just go a little slower than normal and take 2 bottles of fluids and some jelly beans or little snack and you should be fine. You will find ont he day you should be more motivated and so will able to push that little bit further than normal. Going slightly slower than normal will also help this.
In the meantime just ride as often as you can and try to vary how fast / slow you go and how much distance you do so faster but shorter or slower but longer.
Relax , have fun and you'll finish before you know it
In the meantime just ride as often as you can and try to vary how fast / slow you go and how much distance you do so faster but shorter or slower but longer.
Relax , have fun and you'll finish before you know it
cheeky_chops said:
in a similar vein, my mate asked me if i want to join him on a 100miler (160km!!!) in 20 days time. Seen as neither of us have cycled more than 20 miles i declined!! Madness, he wont be able to walk for a week!
100 miles is very different from 31miles so you probably did the right thing....Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff