by "Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
Published 03/23/2017 at 15:16
by "Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
Published 03/23/2017 at 15:16
Tags: Fittness goals
STARS: 1
I’m considering doing a 140 mile long ride on dirt roads. Fifteen Years ago when I was in top condition I would have considered this ride seriously and had the capability to complete it. Even back then I would have been pushed to my absolute limit. I am still considering signing up however it will take a huge time and physical commitment to be prepared to ride 140 miles with 15,000 feet of climbing.
http://www.pancakeride.com/the-race/
Please encourage me OPPO. I have not had a challenge like this in a long time. I want to do it but seriously looking at 12-14 hours on the bike with one aid station stop, this shit is real. The longest ride I’ve done before was 116 miles in about 10 hours on a road bike on relatively smooth roads. I was also 180 lbs at the time and racing my road bike every weekend in Northern California. I’m now older, fatter, and slower.
"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem)
03/23/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 1
I’ve ridden my bike from Maine to NY, carrying camping gear and 50 miles was a big day.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/23/2017 at 15:29, STARS: 0
This is a much faster and lighter set-up. Basically a 29er mountain bike with 40mm tires. 2 bottles, camel back with tools, spare tubes/tire and a bunch of food. I figure an average speed of 10-12 mph.
50 miles is not easy but when I am in shape I can usually bang out 50 miles on the road bike in about 3 hrs.
"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem)
03/23/2017 at 15:36, STARS: 1
I think riding 50 miles today would kill me.
"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
03/23/2017 at 15:44, STARS: 2
Build up and do it, man. I dream of doing rides like this, if I was anywhere near proper shape any more I’d do it with you. I’d find it hard to carry enough water with only one stop in heat (although I saw it says there are creeks to purify from yourself), how much do you go through hourly on a hard ride?
Before I had kids I was trying to build up to a local road century (and not be one of the slower folks who take all day), and local trails I can reach from the house are good for 3000ft+ of vertical without repeating one and loads more on loops so once the kids are a little more self-sufficient and my wife and I can have a little more free time I want to hit it hard with all-day weekend epics. The tricky part for me with a race like this would be altitude because I’m at sea level, so maybe some Sierra trips are in order.
Anyway, if you have the time to commit to training, I wholeheartedly encourage you and want to hear more.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/23/2017 at 15:47, STARS: 0
Thanks for the encouragement. The big thing for me is just getting seat time and dropping weight. I would need to drop about 15 lbs and put in about 10-15 hrs a week of seat time to get the proper conditioning.
"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
03/23/2017 at 15:54, STARS: 1
Is road commuting an option? That was the best for me, my commute is about 25 miles a day and doing that 3 days a week (45 minutes or so each way) was like magic for my riding and fitness, and doing longer weekend road or mountain rides I felt like I could really push.
"osucycler" (osucycler)
03/23/2017 at 16:00, STARS: 1
It can be done. Ride with some regularity during the week and try on the weekends to work on one long day and then a short recovery ride the next. Try to work in some hill, climbing work just don’t make it all about flat miles. Here ( http://dirtykanza.com/new-dirt/training-tips ) is the advice put out by the big ride I work up to every year. If my fat ass can get it done (2 out of 4 tries) I imagine you can do the same. Good luck! Keep us updated!
"nerd_racing" (nerd189)
03/23/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 0
I’ve done 50 miles and I’m pretty fat. Work your way up to it and wear in your saddle. Also HYDRATE and bring lots of power bars. you will burn a hell of a lot of calories riding that far. Oh and bike tubes and a good pump.
"nerd_racing" (nerd189)
03/23/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 0
Road bike is wayyyyy faster than mountain bike.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/23/2017 at 16:20, STARS: 0
Oh I know that, on flat ground I can usually do 18-20 average speed, with hills 16 to 18. Dirt roads with lots of climbing I figure 10-12 mph.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/23/2017 at 16:23, STARS: 0
I’ve done probably a dozen 100 mile rides in the past so I know what my caloric and fluid intake would be, it’s the butt time that is the issue. My longest road ride last year was 63 miles, longest mountain bike ride was 36 miles and I died a thousand deaths on that mountain bike ride.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
03/23/2017 at 16:24, STARS: 1
Do it. I want to get back in top shape and hike the Arizona Trail. It’s 800 miles so I’ll have to do it in sections.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/23/2017 at 16:27, STARS: 0
Thanks for the encouragement. I like hiking too, but it’s more of a family thing. We like to go to forest service look-outs and do day hikes in Glacier Park.
"Captain Brotatohead" (brotatobrotato)
03/23/2017 at 16:27, STARS: 1
Yeah a road bike is way faster than an mtb, but a road bike almost certainly isn’t suitable for this course. Based on the description and link, I’m not even sure if a cyclocross bike is correct for this course. If this course were paved, it’d still be very difficult to finish this course (107 ft of elevation gain per mile!) in under 7 hours (20mph). This is coming from someone who rides 150-200 miles per week and has the achievable goal of upgrading to Category 1 by the end of the season.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/23/2017 at 16:29, STARS: 1
I do ride to work but it’s only 3 miles each way. Once the snow melts I’m going to start the extended rides on the way home. I can usually do 1-2 hrs in the evenings. Once a week I might get in a 3 hr ride during the week but the fatigue is real and it gets hard to do my day job.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/23/2017 at 16:31, STARS: 2
Dirty Kanza is legit. Serously hard ride and shitty conditions depending on the weather. I want to do it too.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
03/23/2017 at 16:33, STARS: 1
I’ll be in Glacier camping with my family this summer. Ever run into brother bear while you’re out there?
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/23/2017 at 16:40, STARS: 1
Typically I would expect to see 1-3 black bears per day and 1-2 Grizzly bears per trip. We always carry bear spray when in the park. I even carry it on my bike when ridding going to the sun road in the spring.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/23/2017 at 16:53, STARS: 0
I’m thinking light weight 29er with 40c “gravel” tires. I have a Salsa Mamasita with a 100mm fork and relatively light weight wheels. I could also get a second set of wheels that is around 25 lbs. Or my Specialized fuse, but that bike is a tank. I used to road race and only raced up to Cat 4 before kids, It’s pretty awesome you are looking at Cat 1's already. I just don’t go up hills like a 150 pound person can so I never really progressed. I can throw it down on the flats but this ride is not good for my skill set.
"smobgirl" (smobgirl)
03/23/2017 at 17:04, STARS: 0
I have a Fargo, I’ve done some awesome dirt road riding around CO in the past but was thwarted in my pursuit of bikepacking by getting a dog that can’t participate. I’m jealous, this looks like an awesome idea!
"jminer" (jminer)
03/27/2017 at 22:20, STARS: 0
Go for it! I’m planning on accomplishing a similar feat this summer. I’ve entered in a 340 mile canoe/kayak race across Missouri.
I’d have been in much better shape for it 10 years ago, but I couldn’t take the time off then...
I’m insane, but have already dropped a belt size and feeling great!