Planning a very long ride - 8 hrs - Page 3 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

06-11-2004, 10:34 AM

Badger_South wrote:

> I'm toying with the idea of doing a long ride this fall, after a summer of
> 400 mile/months, and I'm interested in some ideas as to pacing. Here's
> something I've been thinking about:
>
> Ride for three hours, then 30 min rest (and take a shower?), eat, then ride
> for 2 hours, repeat rest, then ride for an hour, repeat rest, then ride
> final 2 hours. Does that seem like a good scheme? 3-2-1-2?

Why not just do an organized, supported ride? They typically have
rest stops every 1.5-2 hours apart. It's a great place to find out
about pacing and fueling, and there's sag if you need it. Try a 100k
to see if you like it. If that was too easy, try a 100-mile.
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

06-11-2004, 10:45 AM

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 13:22:38 -0400, David Kerber <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
>>
>> I'm toying with the idea of doing a long ride this fall, after a summer of
>> 400 mile/months, and I'm interested in some ideas as to pacing. Here's
>> something I've been thinking about:
>
>How long is "long" (mile-wise, that is)?

I'm not too worried about the mileage, although I would hope that after 8
hours of well-spaced riding that it would be around 100 miles.

>> Ride for three hours, then 30 min rest (and take a shower?), eat, then ride
>> for 2 hours, repeat rest, then ride for an hour, repeat rest, then ride
>> final 2 hours. Does that seem like a good scheme? 3-2-1-2?
>>
>> People who do touring and stuff ride about 8 hours a day for like 2 weeks.
>> 'Course they're sightseeing so it's more fun. It would probably require a
>> "support crew" to bring food and change of clothes and stuff. If you were
>> gonna do it how would you break it up?
>
>I'd probably put the first rest stop well before the 3 hour point, and
>space them more evenly. Maybe 1.5-1.5-1.5-1.5-1.5, or 2-2-2-2. Also,
>30 minutes might be too long of a break; it might give your muscles too
>long, so that you would need a long warm up again when you start back up
>YMMV a lot on this, and will probably depend on the weather (temperature
>particularly). More frequent, shorter breaks work well for many people,
>such as 5 to 10 minutes every hour.

Oh, I forgot to mention that. I find that a 2 min rest every 10-15 miles
helps a lot, and I plan to incorporate that in addition to the other rest
stops.

I like the idea of the first segment being around 3-4 hours, b/c I have
that much motivation, initially. Then knowing I'm 1/3 to 1/2 way there
helps with the last part. But I like your plan of 2 hours and a 10 min
break after that. As I said, I'm anticipating that the major hurdle will be
80-90% mental. ;-)

-B

>> I'm sure some here would say 'just ride for the 8 hours, what's the big
>> deal', but that would be OK for those who have ridden a lot (like frequent
>> 3-4 hour rides), but my longest ride has been 3.5 hours, and only did that
>> once. I'm hoping to get some posts on others who have done something like
>> this, and their experiences vs the initial expectations.
>>
>> I plan to start the ride early in the AM, like 5-ish, or first light.
>> o 5:30-8:30
>> o 9:00-11:00
>> o 12:-1
>> o 2-4pm
>>
>> TIA,

06-11-2004, 10:45 AM

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 13:22:38 -0400, David Kerber <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
>>
>> I'm toying with the idea of doing a long ride this fall, after a summer of
>> 400 mile/months, and I'm interested in some ideas as to pacing. Here's
>> something I've been thinking about:
>
>How long is "long" (mile-wise, that is)?

I'm not too worried about the mileage, although I would hope that after 8
hours of well-spaced riding that it would be around 100 miles.

>> Ride for three hours, then 30 min rest (and take a shower?), eat, then ride
>> for 2 hours, repeat rest, then ride for an hour, repeat rest, then ride
>> final 2 hours. Does that seem like a good scheme? 3-2-1-2?
>>
>> People who do touring and stuff ride about 8 hours a day for like 2 weeks.
>> 'Course they're sightseeing so it's more fun. It would probably require a
>> "support crew" to bring food and change of clothes and stuff. If you were
>> gonna do it how would you break it up?
>
>I'd probably put the first rest stop well before the 3 hour point, and
>space them more evenly. Maybe 1.5-1.5-1.5-1.5-1.5, or 2-2-2-2. Also,
>30 minutes might be too long of a break; it might give your muscles too
>long, so that you would need a long warm up again when you start back up
>YMMV a lot on this, and will probably depend on the weather (temperature
>particularly). More frequent, shorter breaks work well for many people,
>such as 5 to 10 minutes every hour.

Oh, I forgot to mention that. I find that a 2 min rest every 10-15 miles
helps a lot, and I plan to incorporate that in addition to the other rest
stops.

I like the idea of the first segment being around 3-4 hours, b/c I have
that much motivation, initially. Then knowing I'm 1/3 to 1/2 way there
helps with the last part. But I like your plan of 2 hours and a 10 min
break after that. As I said, I'm anticipating that the major hurdle will be
80-90% mental. ;-)

-B

>> I'm sure some here would say 'just ride for the 8 hours, what's the big
>> deal', but that would be OK for those who have ridden a lot (like frequent
>> 3-4 hour rides), but my longest ride has been 3.5 hours, and only did that
>> once. I'm hoping to get some posts on others who have done something like
>> this, and their experiences vs the initial expectations.
>>
>> I plan to start the ride early in the AM, like 5-ish, or first light.
>> o 5:30-8:30
>> o 9:00-11:00
>> o 12:-1
>> o 2-4pm
>>
>> TIA,

06-11-2004, 10:45 AM

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 13:22:38 -0400, David Kerber <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
>>
>> I'm toying with the idea of doing a long ride this fall, after a summer of
>> 400 mile/months, and I'm interested in some ideas as to pacing. Here's
>> something I've been thinking about:
>
>How long is "long" (mile-wise, that is)?

I'm not too worried about the mileage, although I would hope that after 8
hours of well-spaced riding that it would be around 100 miles.

>> Ride for three hours, then 30 min rest (and take a shower?), eat, then ride
>> for 2 hours, repeat rest, then ride for an hour, repeat rest, then ride
>> final 2 hours. Does that seem like a good scheme? 3-2-1-2?
>>
>> People who do touring and stuff ride about 8 hours a day for like 2 weeks.
>> 'Course they're sightseeing so it's more fun. It would probably require a
>> "support crew" to bring food and change of clothes and stuff. If you were
>> gonna do it how would you break it up?
>
>I'd probably put the first rest stop well before the 3 hour point, and
>space them more evenly. Maybe 1.5-1.5-1.5-1.5-1.5, or 2-2-2-2. Also,
>30 minutes might be too long of a break; it might give your muscles too
>long, so that you would need a long warm up again when you start back up
>YMMV a lot on this, and will probably depend on the weather (temperature
>particularly). More frequent, shorter breaks work well for many people,
>such as 5 to 10 minutes every hour.

Oh, I forgot to mention that. I find that a 2 min rest every 10-15 miles
helps a lot, and I plan to incorporate that in addition to the other rest
stops.

I like the idea of the first segment being around 3-4 hours, b/c I have
that much motivation, initially. Then knowing I'm 1/3 to 1/2 way there
helps with the last part. But I like your plan of 2 hours and a 10 min
break after that. As I said, I'm anticipating that the major hurdle will be
80-90% mental. ;-)

-B

>> I'm sure some here would say 'just ride for the 8 hours, what's the big
>> deal', but that would be OK for those who have ridden a lot (like frequent
>> 3-4 hour rides), but my longest ride has been 3.5 hours, and only did that
>> once. I'm hoping to get some posts on others who have done something like
>> this, and their experiences vs the initial expectations.
>>
>> I plan to start the ride early in the AM, like 5-ish, or first light.
>> o 5:30-8:30
>> o 9:00-11:00
>> o 12:-1
>> o 2-4pm
>>
>> TIA,

06-11-2004, 10:45 AM

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 13:22:38 -0400, David Kerber <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
>>
>> I'm toying with the idea of doing a long ride this fall, after a summer of
>> 400 mile/months, and I'm interested in some ideas as to pacing. Here's
>> something I've been thinking about:
>
>How long is "long" (mile-wise, that is)?

I'm not too worried about the mileage, although I would hope that after 8
hours of well-spaced riding that it would be around 100 miles.

>> Ride for three hours, then 30 min rest (and take a shower?), eat, then ride
>> for 2 hours, repeat rest, then ride for an hour, repeat rest, then ride
>> final 2 hours. Does that seem like a good scheme? 3-2-1-2?
>>
>> People who do touring and stuff ride about 8 hours a day for like 2 weeks.
>> 'Course they're sightseeing so it's more fun. It would probably require a
>> "support crew" to bring food and change of clothes and stuff. If you were
>> gonna do it how would you break it up?
>
>I'd probably put the first rest stop well before the 3 hour point, and
>space them more evenly. Maybe 1.5-1.5-1.5-1.5-1.5, or 2-2-2-2. Also,
>30 minutes might be too long of a break; it might give your muscles too
>long, so that you would need a long warm up again when you start back up
>YMMV a lot on this, and will probably depend on the weather (temperature
>particularly). More frequent, shorter breaks work well for many people,
>such as 5 to 10 minutes every hour.

Oh, I forgot to mention that. I find that a 2 min rest every 10-15 miles
helps a lot, and I plan to incorporate that in addition to the other rest
stops.

I like the idea of the first segment being around 3-4 hours, b/c I have
that much motivation, initially. Then knowing I'm 1/3 to 1/2 way there
helps with the last part. But I like your plan of 2 hours and a 10 min
break after that. As I said, I'm anticipating that the major hurdle will be
80-90% mental. ;-)

-B

>> I'm sure some here would say 'just ride for the 8 hours, what's the big
>> deal', but that would be OK for those who have ridden a lot (like frequent
>> 3-4 hour rides), but my longest ride has been 3.5 hours, and only did that
>> once. I'm hoping to get some posts on others who have done something like
>> this, and their experiences vs the initial expectations.
>>
>> I plan to start the ride early in the AM, like 5-ish, or first light.
>> o 5:30-8:30
>> o 9:00-11:00
>> o 12:-1
>> o 2-4pm
>>
>> TIA,

06-11-2004, 10:45 AM

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 13:22:38 -0400, David Kerber <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...
>>
>> I'm toying with the idea of doing a long ride this fall, after a summer of
>> 400 mile/months, and I'm interested in some ideas as to pacing. Here's
>> something I've been thinking about:
>
>How long is "long" (mile-wise, that is)?

I'm not too worried about the mileage, although I would hope that after 8
hours of well-spaced riding that it would be around 100 miles.

>> Ride for three hours, then 30 min rest (and take a shower?), eat, then ride
>> for 2 hours, repeat rest, then ride for an hour, repeat rest, then ride
>> final 2 hours. Does that seem like a good scheme? 3-2-1-2?
>>
>> People who do touring and stuff ride about 8 hours a day for like 2 weeks.
>> 'Course they're sightseeing so it's more fun. It would probably require a
>> "support crew" to bring food and change of clothes and stuff. If you were
>> gonna do it how would you break it up?
>
>I'd probably put the first rest stop well before the 3 hour point, and
>space them more evenly. Maybe 1.5-1.5-1.5-1.5-1.5, or 2-2-2-2. Also,
>30 minutes might be too long of a break; it might give your muscles too
>long, so that you would need a long warm up again when you start back up
>YMMV a lot on this, and will probably depend on the weather (temperature
>particularly). More frequent, shorter breaks work well for many people,
>such as 5 to 10 minutes every hour.

Oh, I forgot to mention that. I find that a 2 min rest every 10-15 miles
helps a lot, and I plan to incorporate that in addition to the other rest
stops.

I like the idea of the first segment being around 3-4 hours, b/c I have
that much motivation, initially. Then knowing I'm 1/3 to 1/2 way there
helps with the last part. But I like your plan of 2 hours and a 10 min
break after that. As I said, I'm anticipating that the major hurdle will be
80-90% mental. ;-)

-B

>> I'm sure some here would say 'just ride for the 8 hours, what's the big
>> deal', but that would be OK for those who have ridden a lot (like frequent
>> 3-4 hour rides), but my longest ride has been 3.5 hours, and only did that
>> once. I'm hoping to get some posts on others who have done something like
>> this, and their experiences vs the initial expectations.
>>
>> I plan to start the ride early in the AM, like 5-ish, or first light.
>> o 5:30-8:30
>> o 9:00-11:00
>> o 12:-1
>> o 2-4pm
>>
>> TIA,

06-11-2004, 10:50 AM

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 10:34:30 -0700, Terry Morse <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Badger_South wrote:
>
>> I'm toying with the idea of doing a long ride this fall, after a summer of
>> 400 mile/months, and I'm interested in some ideas as to pacing. Here's
>> something I've been thinking about:
>>
>> Ride for three hours, then 30 min rest (and take a shower?), eat, then ride
>> for 2 hours, repeat rest, then ride for an hour, repeat rest, then ride
>> final 2 hours. Does that seem like a good scheme? 3-2-1-2?
>
>Why not just do an organized, supported ride? They typically have
>rest stops every 1.5-2 hours apart. It's a great place to find out
>about pacing and fueling, and there's sag if you need it. Try a 100k
>to see if you like it. If that was too easy, try a 100-mile.

Well there probably aren't any organized supported rides in my area.

There are weekend group rides, I hear, but never been able to track any of
them down to an actual person. (I'm in Charlottesville, Va).

In addition, I'd want to ride my own pace, and would worry about being
dropped and having that affect the motivation. I realize in an ideal sitch,
your suggest -would- be the way to go. Also the area around here that
people ride these things are probably too hilly.

I'm planning the ride in Va Beach, where it's mostly flat, and doing it on
bike paths. (there's 137 miles of them down there!). It would take a big
stroke of luck to find an organized ride in Va Beach to co-incide with my
attempt, but I'll definitely try to check that out. I'm heading back down
there in about a month. Even if the ride was a 50 miler, I could do that
and then finish up on my own. Great idea...

Thanks TM!

-B

06-11-2004, 10:50 AM

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 10:34:30 -0700, Terry Morse <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Badger_South wrote:
>
>> I'm toying with the idea of doing a long ride this fall, after a summer of
>> 400 mile/months, and I'm interested in some ideas as to pacing. Here's
>> something I've been thinking about:
>>
>> Ride for three hours, then 30 min rest (and take a shower?), eat, then ride
>> for 2 hours, repeat rest, then ride for an hour, repeat rest, then ride
>> final 2 hours. Does that seem like a good scheme? 3-2-1-2?
>
>Why not just do an organized, supported ride? They typically have
>rest stops every 1.5-2 hours apart. It's a great place to find out
>about pacing and fueling, and there's sag if you need it. Try a 100k
>to see if you like it. If that was too easy, try a 100-mile.

Well there probably aren't any organized supported rides in my area.

There are weekend group rides, I hear, but never been able to track any of
them down to an actual person. (I'm in Charlottesville, Va).

In addition, I'd want to ride my own pace, and would worry about being
dropped and having that affect the motivation. I realize in an ideal sitch,
your suggest -would- be the way to go. Also the area around here that
people ride these things are probably too hilly.

I'm planning the ride in Va Beach, where it's mostly flat, and doing it on
bike paths. (there's 137 miles of them down there!). It would take a big
stroke of luck to find an organized ride in Va Beach to co-incide with my
attempt, but I'll definitely try to check that out. I'm heading back down
there in about a month. Even if the ride was a 50 miler, I could do that
and then finish up on my own. Great idea...

Thanks TM!

-B

06-11-2004, 10:50 AM

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 10:34:30 -0700, Terry Morse <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Badger_South wrote:
>
>> I'm toying with the idea of doing a long ride this fall, after a summer of
>> 400 mile/months, and I'm interested in some ideas as to pacing. Here's
>> something I've been thinking about:
>>
>> Ride for three hours, then 30 min rest (and take a shower?), eat, then ride
>> for 2 hours, repeat rest, then ride for an hour, repeat rest, then ride
>> final 2 hours. Does that seem like a good scheme? 3-2-1-2?
>
>Why not just do an organized, supported ride? They typically have
>rest stops every 1.5-2 hours apart. It's a great place to find out
>about pacing and fueling, and there's sag if you need it. Try a 100k
>to see if you like it. If that was too easy, try a 100-mile.

Well there probably aren't any organized supported rides in my area.

There are weekend group rides, I hear, but never been able to track any of
them down to an actual person. (I'm in Charlottesville, Va).

In addition, I'd want to ride my own pace, and would worry about being
dropped and having that affect the motivation. I realize in an ideal sitch,
your suggest -would- be the way to go. Also the area around here that
people ride these things are probably too hilly.

I'm planning the ride in Va Beach, where it's mostly flat, and doing it on
bike paths. (there's 137 miles of them down there!). It would take a big
stroke of luck to find an organized ride in Va Beach to co-incide with my
attempt, but I'll definitely try to check that out. I'm heading back down
there in about a month. Even if the ride was a 50 miler, I could do that
and then finish up on my own. Great idea...

Thanks TM!

-B

06-11-2004, 10:50 AM

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 10:34:30 -0700, Terry Morse <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Badger_South wrote:
>
>> I'm toying with the idea of doing a long ride this fall, after a summer of
>> 400 mile/months, and I'm interested in some ideas as to pacing. Here's
>> something I've been thinking about:
>>
>> Ride for three hours, then 30 min rest (and take a shower?), eat, then ride
>> for 2 hours, repeat rest, then ride for an hour, repeat rest, then ride
>> final 2 hours. Does that seem like a good scheme? 3-2-1-2?
>
>Why not just do an organized, supported ride? They typically have
>rest stops every 1.5-2 hours apart. It's a great place to find out
>about pacing and fueling, and there's sag if you need it. Try a 100k
>to see if you like it. If that was too easy, try a 100-mile.

Well there probably aren't any organized supported rides in my area.

There are weekend group rides, I hear, but never been able to track any of
them down to an actual person. (I'm in Charlottesville, Va).

In addition, I'd want to ride my own pace, and would worry about being
dropped and having that affect the motivation. I realize in an ideal sitch,
your suggest -would- be the way to go. Also the area around here that
people ride these things are probably too hilly.

I'm planning the ride in Va Beach, where it's mostly flat, and doing it on
bike paths. (there's 137 miles of them down there!). It would take a big
stroke of luck to find an organized ride in Va Beach to co-incide with my
attempt, but I'll definitely try to check that out. I'm heading back down
there in about a month. Even if the ride was a 50 miler, I could do that
and then finish up on my own. Great idea...

Thanks TM!

-B