Training for Century? - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

08-30-2004, 06:18 PM

I've been riding for around 7 weeks now, after a break of some 17 years.
I'm now 36 and not totally unfit (although there is still a long way to
go, of course). In the last few weeks I have had several rides of
60+ miles and most of the time seem quite able to average 17-18mph on
shorter routes (longer rides have been tough to measure).

I'm quite keen to work towards a century in the middle of October. It's a
charity ride in New York, which for several reasons is of interest for
me. If I cannot complete the full 100 miles (most likely complaint will
be my lumbar spine, I fear) then I can always take the 60-mile route.

My question is, therefore, what can I do to prepare myself for this? I
used to ride 100 miles most weekends when I was a teenager, but that was
more than 20 years ago and I never really trained for it. Clearly, now my
starting point is significantly lower and so I may need to spend some time
practising!

Further, would it make sense to knock alcohol on the head for a few
weeks? Have already cut it down from 20-odd bottles of wine per week
(*ahem*, let's not go there) to less than 4, but am thinking that perhaps
complete abstinence would make a significant difference?

I have also refrained from starving msyelf during the day only to eat two
tons of food each evening in unhealthy (albeit most salubrious)
restaurants. This is helping my energy levels.

I live in Manhattan and can ride every day, at least for an hour or two.
I can also spend Saturdays and Sundays on the bike.

Any thoughts regarding how I could maximize the value of this time would
be appreciated.

Thank you ever so much.

Glm