Bikers

Member

Now that you have me straightened out on bike repairs, I have a new question. My husband has decided he'd like to take up biking, and is considering doing a century, in less than a month. (I know, I know...I'm trying to get him to consider the 10k or 25k) Anyone know of some good training sites I can gently point him to so I don't have to tell him he's insane.

Then again, we get the bike back tomorrow, a good ride may convince him of that on his own.

Seriously, I'd love it if he'd take to the sport, but don't want him to burn out by the end of August.

Thanks!!!

Excelent

http://www.bicycling.com

Member

Thank you Cappy!

Gone Fishin

I've sworn to this before and will continue to... a bicycle century is harder than running a marathon. The couple I've done, I make it a point to have 1000 miles logged first. dunno

Frightened Inmate #2

I've never ridden 100 miles or run a marathon, but I can tell you that I think riding a century would be easier.

Here's two schedules for building up to a 100 mi. century. (There's also a metric century with is 100 KM (62.2 mi.))

http://www.bikerideforthefamily.org/training/a0000038.html

Both of those are 10 wk. schedules though.

Personally, I think he's nuts if he's currently sedentary and willing to go from that to riding a century in Texas in August. It's not the Hotter than Hell Century is it?

Member

Good links - Thanks you guys! And the thought of riding a century just makes my bum hurt! Shocked

Member

I have attempted 2 centuries and 7 or 8 marathons.

Of those, I have failed to finish 1 marathon and both centuries. Part of it was probably the 20-25MPH average on the second century. I was riding with a bunch of guys preparing for an ironman and just wasn't ready for that. I dropped out at about 50 or 60 miles and then followed them on the motorcycle the last 40-50.

One side note. One guy in the pack I was riding with got dropped with 10 miles to go. I pulled up and asked if he wanted a draft, which he accepted. In no time, he was doing 25MPH again and not even struggling. He said that he didn't feel any wind while behind me.

Member

Thanks everyone! I agree with you PH, he's nuts. He's always been the type that can pick up and run 3 miles, or do whatever, so I guess he thinks he can train for 3 weeks and do it. (it is the Hotter than Hell) I'm trying to talk him into the 10k or 25k, which would still be pushing it.

He just called and said he stopped by the bike shop and found a helmet. He's so excited. We do have a local bike club that he's going to ride with on Sat. They have all sorts of rides and events so maybe that will distract him.

Frightened Inmate #2

Member

I have a feeling when he goes out for some long training rides the feeling in his legs and on his "under-carriage" might change his mind pretty quickly on doing the century.

Also, in a century it can be much easier when you find a pack to draft with the entire time, but drafting in a pack is also pretty scary and dangerous if you have not put in time and gained experience riding directly in back of other riders.

Hopefully, he will work up to a century down the road instead of jumping into it.

Member

Wow, kattzoo -- I hope you can convince him to not do the century so soon. Maybe he'll do some riding in the meantime and realize he's rushing things.

My (non-physically-active) husband wanted to join me for a 36-mile (round trip) cycling advocacy ride/rally tomorrow. I told him that he'd regret it when his nuts fell off and asked him to really think about it. I really wish he'd get more involved with moving his body around, but I don't want him to just jump into this, hurt himself, and then swear off exercise entirely. He hasn't ridden his bike in so long that I think even the 6-mile portion would get him. :/

Bikers

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