Posts: 3,476
7/16/08 7:12 P

I've done the Houston to Austin ride a couple of times and I think you should have a base of 60 miles. See if you can add the mileage in so that you can do 60 miles without difficulty.

My coach does tell the team to avoid rest stops so we train to be able to go to every other stop. Of course we do stop if needed. That is because the Houston to Austin ride is ridiculously big (13,000 people cap) and the rest stops are therefore very busy with lots of waiting and difficult to get in and out of. I rode that ride I with a camelbak filled with water and kept 2 full bottles of gator aide on the bike.

Don't forget to get your bike fit looked at - different than just getting the bike adjusted.

If you need to SAG don't get too stressed out since you are raising money for a great cause. Let us know what the ride is like - I've been tempted to try that one since it hasn't been as big. I've heard that the bike to the beach ride is harder because of the winds.
Sara

current weight: 181.4

277 245.25 213.5 181.75

150

Posts: 108
7/15/08 11:51 A

Thanks for the advice.

It is about time to take my bike in the be adjusted. I've had it a few months now and the cables and everything need to be re-adjusted now that it has been ridden for a while.

I put in 35 this weekend, flat to rolling hills. I made good time for the first half but was a bit slower on the second than I would like to be. I just focused on finding a cadence and gear that I could maintain and cranked along. It was the longest ride I've done in a while and even though I was a bit slower I finished the ride feeling ok. My butt was sore but that is because I just need to get use to the longer rides. Other than that I felt fine.

I think I'm going to focus on doing 35-40 miles in one day for the next couple of weeks and then add in the second day after that.

Posts: 3,889
7/15/08 11:33 A

KATZNHUND:
Great advice here. I don't do centuries because I'd get bored but I have some tips that may help:

If you havent' already, get your bike professionally fitted. A properly fitted is worth it's weight in gold, especially on a long distance event. Not only will it solve any nigging aches but it may make you faster (it did with me!).

Build the mileage in the weekend rides. You need to be able to do 90 miles pretty comfortably, which is a lot seeing as you're only doing 30 right now but you've got a lot of time. Build this gradually (10-20% increase per week) and make these rides easy but long. Later on build in the back-to-back days that DRC suggested. Work on on-the-bike nutrition on these ride too, so that you don't have to stop at each rest stop if you don't want to.

If you're stuck with the trainer, I'd do fast intervals and hill-repeat/strength stuff. While you're going to be going slow (generally) on the ride, the fast stuff will be a nice change of pace and actually help you with the slow stuff. I have a couple of workouts I can give you if you want.

current weight: 190.0

210 202.5 195 187.5

180

Posts: 37
7/10/08 2:24 P

I don't ride the century on the Ms 150- the friends I ride with can not ride the extra 25 miles.
How many rest steps do they have?

Posts: 8,845
7/10/08 11:32 A

I would hit every rest stop on a century ride. Even if it is just to top off my water bottle--I don't what the next stretch would be like and want to be prepared.

Posts: 1,768
7/10/08 11:15 A

Fortune923

Would you also on a century ride??? Hit every rest stop or would you go every other???

Jim

Posts: 37
7/10/08 8:51 A

This will be my 7th ride this year, so my best suggestion is to ride and increase your milage each time, also make sure you do long rides back to back. Last weekend we did 20 on Sat. and 40 on Sunday.
I know a lot of people that don't stop at the rest stop. i do even it's for 5 min. just to get off the bike.

GOOD LUCK

Posts: 1,768
7/9/08 9:44 A

I would use rollers and not a trainer. I hated using a trainer and eventually stopped using it and got rid of it. It did not give me the same feeling as riding my bike off the trainer. I have heard a lot of people say that rollers simulate riding your bike the best as far as training equipment.

Posts: 108
7/9/08 9:37 A

Thanks everyone.

I've been putting in time on the weekends. I'm working on upping my one day distance right now. By mid-August I plan on starting to do both Saturdays and Sundays to prep for the back to back days.

I guess I should dig out my trainer and set it up in the basement and see if I like it any better with my new bike.

I have no problem being in the saddle for a couple of hours on the road but more than 30 on the trainer and my body is killing me. My legs are fine, I'm just really uncomfortable. Is this normal and I just need to get used to it or do I not have something set up right? I always put a couple of books under the front wheel so the bike is at least level.

Posts: 1,768
7/9/08 9:11 A

I have to agree with time in your own saddle and the way to do it is with rollers. As for hill work outs I think WONGERCHI suggested putting blocks on the front of the rollers to give you some elevation which will somewhat simulate a hill work out for you.

There is no subsitution equipment at the gyms that will aid or help prepare you for the ride. You have to get used to your own bike and also be able to ride your own bike for several hours at a time for a ride like this.

Good Luck to ya and let us know how it went.

Jim

Posts: 8,845
7/8/08 2:31 P

Good advice. I'll just second the idea that there is no replacement for putting in the miles on your bike. If you can't ride in the evenings, try maybe a Satuday and a Sunday ride on the weekends, in addition to your gym training (take your day off or any light days during the week). This will also help prepare you for the back-to-back days of riding in the 150. Drvie your bike somewhere when you can really put the time in. But you will do great!

Posts: 108
7/8/08 1:17 P

Thanks for the tips. I did this ride several years ago and I remember my knee bothering me for a month or so afterwards, I'd like to avoid that this time.

I do have a trainer at home but haven't used it in a while. I really didn't like using it with my old bike, it was very uncomfortable. My new bike is a better fit for me so it might be better on the trainer.

The last time I did it I lived in a subdivision with nice roads and a big hill so I would do laps for 30 or 45 minutes in the evenings. I'm really bummed about not being able to do that at my current place. I tried but the roads are so patchy that it is uncomfortable to do for more than 20 minutes.

I'll also be sure to add in the core training. My back has been a bit sore after my last couple of longer rides.

Posts: 156
7/8/08 11:33 A

Have you thought about getting a trainer and riding your bike indoors? You really need time on your bike to get ready. I did the MS 150 Frisco to Ft Worth in May was able to finish even though I was inadequately prepared. My recommendations are to ride every weekend outside, increasing your mileage each ride. Be sure you are doing core strength training so you will be able to hold yourself up without putting too much of your weight on your hands. You also need to change your hand positions frequently. If you put too much pressure on your hands you will end up with nerve compression (like I did) and not have full use of your hands for awhile or, worse, have permanent nerve damage. After my ride, I didn't have enough strength in my my right hand to start my car or hold a pen and write legibly.

On day two, be sure to really hydrate before you start your ride. I found that I was already dehydrated from day one and started out behind on my hydration on day two because I didn't drink enough that morning.

Also, chamaois butter will be your best friend.

Good luck - you still have plenty of time to get ready and it will all be worth it!

Danah

Posts: 108
7/8/08 10:44 A

I hope this hasn't been talked about tons before and I' a bit late on it. I only skimmed back a couple of pages.

My husband and 2 of our friends are doing the MS150 from San Antonio to Corpus Christi in October. I am by far in the worst shape of all of us.

I've been looking for some good training guides online but haven't been able to find any that work for me. Here is what I'm doing so far: Spinning for 45 minutes 2 days a week and a longer ride on the weekends. Right now I'm maxing out at about 30 flat miles and 13 or so MPH. The ride is 90 on Day 1 with rolling hills at the end and 60 on Day 2 with a big bridge to go over in the last 5 miles. I'd really like to not have to use the SAG wagon and finish at a reasonable hour on Day 1.

Any advice on how to up my miles and get ready? The roads around my house aren't in very good shape so I can't really put in a lot of miles in the evening on my bike comfortably without having to drive out somewhere. I'd love to find some basic gym exercises that will build my muscles that I can do during the week when I can't really ride.

Thanks for the help :)