Double Century (roa...
 

[Closed] Double Century (road bike)

 RV
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

In order to help with a few long endurance events this year I have decided to try a 211 mile ride that I've routed. I have ridden a century several times and last year even managed 100 miles a day for four days in a row. I've never done the double though and wondered if and what experiences anyone has and what dark places they visit during the ride. I have three other deranged riders that fancy a go too.


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 3:37 pm
Posts: 39662
Free Member
 

dark places - would that be the time the biblical rains started between dufftown and the lecht and had me ready to kill someone ?

or the day it rained from 6am till 8pm riding from portmahomock to durness and back

seriously though if your fairly fit, doing it as a 4some, can all do a century , work together, eat regular and keep your fluids up then youll be just dandy


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 3:40 pm
Posts: 6668
Free Member
 

Never got further than 150 miles. Took me 9 hours solo. Good company would have helped as it got dull at times on some bits. I stopped a couple of times to resupply with food and water.

My route was the Northern Rock Cyclone with a diversion to go to Kielder Castle for a coffee. The coffee was rubbish. Going past a bike shop meant I was able to pick up gels and bars though.

Might be worth forgoing fashion and fitting a big seatpack and top tube bag to let you carry more. At that sort of distance though you should be asking an audax rider, see what they do.


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 3:46 pm
 RV
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

The wife offered to meet at strategic places on the route in my truck to offer a supply of bars, gels and a water container. We are doing the East Anglian coast line from Kings Lynn to Maldon, so plenty of seaside food to be snacking on. The route is one suggested by a local hospice to ride in 3 days in 2013 and I thought what better way to check the route out for charity riders.


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 3:55 pm
 ton
Posts: 24258
Full Member
 

furthest i have ridden is 300km in 16hrs on a audax.
rode it on a specialized sirrius fitted with flat bars, which left me with numb fingers in my right hand, which last for a couple of weeks.

i also seemed to eat for 2 days solid after the event.


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 3:57 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I rode from Reigate to Lincoln last year to visit my parents - 176 miles. Was on my Genesis Croix de Fer so not entirely a road bike. Really wasn't too bad, I did hit a pheasant and ride into the back of a car in Spalding, that was the only bad bit.

I just kept hydrated with Nuun electrolyte tablets in the water, and had some energy bars and dried apricots.

Wish I'd done an extra little loop to make 200 though ๐Ÿ™


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 4:01 pm
Posts: 4789
Free Member
 

longer single day i have ridden was 123miles form Stoke (Staffs) to Teabay (Cumbria) on my Brompton..

knackering and took ages - that was day 4 of lejog... 7 days at 100miles plus 70 on day eight...

On a proper bike it would have been much better / easier

def go in a group..

make sure you EAT!!


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 4:18 pm
 RV
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

I'm well versed in balancing Nunn's with high carb drinks. drink before you get thirsty.
May have to rethink the carbon saddle though.

[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 4:20 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I think my longest ever day ride was Edinburgh - California - Moscow and then home.

That was 200km.


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 4:22 pm
Posts: 13291
Free Member
 

What trail rat said + be aware of how others in the group are getting on.
Some will feel stronger/weaker at different times so just pace it to suit.

When are you doing it ?


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 4:46 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Audax riders do that kind of distance plus all the time. Loads of audax tips and chat over on YACF. Start with the FAQ's.

[url] http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1201.0 [/url]

From my own experience you may wish to consider some rather uncool bike modifications, to whit:

A saddle with some padding.
Double wrapped bars.
Raising your bars some.
A map board (or gps).
Getting as much kit onto your bike as possible (and out of your pockets, fill pockets will jelly beans).
A granny ring, or at least a cassette with some range.
Wider tyres, 25c plus, whatever will fit.

Tips: plan where you'll stop (break the route into chunks, gives you a goal). Eat/finish water just BEFORE you stop (prevents overeating). Keep stops to a minimum. Aim for a sustainible pace, conserve energy.


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 4:49 pm
 RV
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

21st of April. Bars will have gel added and flip the stem, saddle will be swapped out for sure. Thanks for the Audax site details. I already have a Garmin primed and ready to go, as long as the batts last long enough.


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 5:02 pm
Posts: 30
Free Member
 

ton - Member

furthest i have ridden is 300km in 16hrs on a audax.
rode it on a specialized sirrius fitted with flat bars, which left me with numb fingers in my right hand, which last for a couple of weeks.

i also seemed to eat for 2 days solid after the event.

Got my first 300km in 7 weeks time, don't think Im ready for it mind you, i'm starting to get a bit nervous. Most I've done in one go is 127 miles (Workington to Tynemouth). Felt ok after it so just thinking it's going to be psychological..............................I hope ๐Ÿ˜ฏ


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 5:05 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

The psychological stuff is hardest for sure. Occassionally (partic at night, when there is less to see) I get a sudden 'why on earth am I doing this?' thought, which pops in and has [i]almost[/i] prompted me to find the nearest train station a few times. If I just focus on getting to the next control, I'm fine.

The auditory and visual hallucinations are the worst. I find they're usually linked to something - dehydration or low blood sugar. Get off the bike, walk around a bit, eat and drink, get slapped round the face with a haddock by the donnie darko rabbit, back on the bike again.

Must do some more audaxes. Not done any in ages. Not fit enough for a start.


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 5:28 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I think my longest ever day ride was Edinburgh - California - Moscow and then home.

That was 200km.

Love it! Having just acquired a road bike, I might need to give that a bash soon. I assume you have photos fromo each sign?


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 5:35 pm
 ton
Posts: 24258
Full Member
 

audax rides are ace for doing higher than normal mileage.
if you start off with a too fast group you will get dropped and usually end up in a group that matches your speed.
always nice to ride with a few likeminded folk too.
and audax riders are a very nice and friendly bunch.


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 6:20 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I think my longest ever day ride was Edinburgh - California - Moscow and then home.

In a similar style I can ride from West London to Egypt and back, it's about 35km.


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 6:45 pm
 wors
Posts: 3796
Full Member
 

I'm doing Edinburgh to Bolton with a mate in June, 212 miles hopefully in around 14 hours, just need to get a comfy bike to do it.....


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 6:46 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

pixelmix - Member

Love it! Having just acquired a road bike, I might need to give that a bash soon. I assume you have photos fromo each sign?

[img] http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/35396_405337013506_535078506_4562121_5577783_n.jp g" target="_blank">http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/35396_405337013506_535078506_4562121_5577783_n.jp g"/> [/img]


 
Posted : 14/03/2012 7:03 pm