Long Distance Bike Race - Any Training Advice?

Hi WSO,

I know a lot of you are healthy people and a few of you cycling enthusiasts. I was wondering if anyone could provide some advice.

I'll be doing a long-distance race (over 100km) in hilly SF at the end of September and would appreciate any nutritional, training or other types of advice from those who have done similar races. I've started training today by doing a marathon (on the bike) in 70 mins with the aim of bringing this down to an hour as my base pace. Does this make sense or should I focus on getting through the full race distance then focusing on time? Any interval training required?

Thanks!

The Pharma Guy

8 Comments
 
"The Pharma Guy" I've started training today by doing a marathon (on the bike) in 70 mins with the aim of bringing this down to an hour as my base pace. Does this make sense

Your goal is to ride 26.2mph for 62mi+?

Also, what kind of tech do you have? If you don't have a GPS watch, then start recording your rides on Strava with your iPhone.

Intervals on the bike help to increase your overall average speed in a race. Do you have a carbon fiber bike? Or what type is it?

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

The goal is to have that as my base speed to start with but I fully aware that in the 2nd 3rd of the race it'll probably drop to 18-20mph and in the last part to 12-14mph. I feel that if I can keep that going hard in training on race day it'll feel easier to power through the first 30 miles. I do not have a GPS watch so should start doing Strava. Right now I'm training on gym bikes but on race day I'll have a https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-secteur-x3-2014-road-bike-EV193…</a">Specialized Secteur (non carbon fibre, made with an aluminium frame).

 
Most Helpful
"The Pharma Guy" The goal is to have that as my base speed to start with but I fully aware that in the 2nd 3rd of the race it'll probably drop to 18-20mph and in the last part to 12-14mph. I feel that if I can keep that going hard in training on race day it'll feel easier to power through the first 30 miles. I do not have a GPS watch so should start doing Strava. Right now I'm training on gym bikes but on race day I'll have a https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-secteur-x3-2014-road-bike-EV193…</a">Specialized Secteur (non carbon fibre, made with an aluminium frame).

26.2mph is insanely fast. I think you'll be lucky to get 17-19mph average over 62mi+. Just ride as much as you can and train in the clip in shoes that you plan to use on that bike.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
"The Pharma Guy" Will do! Any nutritional advice? I'm not a fan of gels but do you recommend any particular energy boosters to eat during the race?

I don’t eat much in races, but use 100mg Clif Expresso gel.

The Huma gels are the tastiest I’ve found.

https://www.amazon.com/Huma-Chia-Energy-Gel-Variety/dp/B00LXK8Y0E/ref=m…

And if you want a bar or something as fuel, I’d recommend the Kind Mango Apple Chia:

https://www.amazon.com/KIND-Whole-Gluten-formally-Pressed/dp/B01F5EQRFC…

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

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"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee

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