I am currently training to cycle a century on...

aerin1119 · 05-05-2007, 05:15 PM

...june 9th, is 9 wks enough time to do this? Before I was training for the century, I sustained a stress fracture via marathon training and had been cycling as method of cross training. I currently, cycle 5-6 days per week, with my long rides up to 50 miles, i typically add 5 miles each week to this ride. I usually spend 2-3 days on stationary bike doing intervals and/or taking spin classes.

OlMacDude · 05-05-2007, 07:35 PM

Yes - you should be in fine shape for that kind of distance. I did my first century this spring break in Penticton on the Iron-man road course, and had only been winter cycling/spin training twice a week for 2.5 to 3 hour sessions. The biggest part of cycling that distance (apart from the two mountain passes I had to go through on that route) is being comfortable in the saddle for that length of time. Penaten (or zinc oxide or Balmex) cream for diaper rash and sunburns is my secret weapon for saddle sores. The other part of doing that kind of distance is to be completely comfortable on your bike. A good bike shop will be able to do a proper bike fit to start you out, but you may still have to finely tune your position to get the optimum comfort for distances over 100K. Working in a group is a big help too - taking turns on the front makes the journey easier than doing it solo. Consider as well vehicle support from family or friend, or plan your route so that you can replenish water and food along the way.

Madrider · 05-06-2007, 07:43 AM

You should be all good for that ride.

D'Artagnan · 05-06-2007, 10:23 AM

You will be awesome, you will be surprised. Your Butt on the other hand is the thing to address. As far as bum comfort it is not how many miles you ride, it is how many hours you are in the saddle. Buy the best quality padded cycling short, don't scrimp. If you have been doing 50 miles I'm going to guess at about 80 miles is when you will start to notice things. But from the workouts you already do I'm sure the legs will be fine.Remember to hydrate, hydrate, I have had a problem with that in the past, not drinking enough. I came up with a plan, whenever I would take a drink I would say to my cycling friend, drink and we both would, and when she would drink she would do the same and we both drank more water that way, sometimes you just don't think to drink enough times.Have a great ride, be safe.ps: A good thing to mention to all cyclist. If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage on one of your automobiles get it. If you are run of the road or hit by a car and they don't stop or they do stop and don't have insurance, your uninsured motorist insurance coverage will cover you because it was a motor vehicle incident.