I'm struggling with a swollen R knee which has really set me back some 5 weeks now.
Ideally, how often and what length rides should I be at with just 6 weeks to go 'til by first 24hr solo race / event?
Not podium, but want to put in a decent show.
Whatever your knee allows?
Riding a 24hr without it working properly = long term injury FAIL
what he said. if the knee flares up it could ruin any plan anyway?
why not have 2 goals-one if knee holds up and a fallback one if it hurts?
or if you're an underestimator (id guess not from your initial post) have a very achievable plan and everything over and above is a bonus?
The swelling seems to have abated, it's just a rider who is reluctant to force the pace right now!
I've also swapped out to a FS away from the HT to make the riding less out-of-the-saddle which might have not been helping the poorly knee.
Aim: ride as many hours as I can. 17hrs + ideally.
You need to be doing as many long rides as you possibly can, just as you should've been for the last 6 months or whatever!
Only you know how many hours you can fit in! At the moment it's all about time on the bike, particularly considering your endurance wasn't great in January and you've had a substantial set back since then!
Time to start tapering and build up energy reserves. This will also help your injury recover. I would recommend pies and pints at this stage to build up a good store.
It's not so much about being great, it's about lasting the time-in-the saddle with no coplications.
A tortoise & hare scenario really.
I'm riding every two days and upping the distance, but it's not the best preparation, besides, 5 laps & 4:47 at the Brass Monkey was a good staring point, even if you did think you'd predicted I'd come last!
If your knee is bad then you should be at the recovery and rest stage.
You can't get fit in a few rides but you can injure yourself very easily. If you really are determined seek professional advice from a physio.
Actually, I predicted that you definitely wouldn't come last, I was quite surprised you did.
My point is just that you need to be riding your bike as much as you possibly can in order that you'll be able to ride for 24 hours in 6 weeks time!
It doesn't really matter at what stage you are - you can't change it
Take the advice above & then make a decision 2 weeks before the event
Wrong thread perchance?
Yeap just deleted it !
Anyone out there who is also riding?
I was wondering what sort of mileage the back markers are clocking up at present.
None of my rides are under 3hrs, but I think I need to be doing some 6+hrs right now.
Anyone out there who is also riding?
riding what?
I'd have a bash at a 24 hour 'race' at the level I'm at at the moment quite happily. I'd not win, but I'd ride for a lot of the 24 hours and 'enjoy' it.
It all depends what you want out of the event, doesn't it? As it's your first, and you're not aiming to win it, does it really matter?
If you want to be competitive and you've not done (m)any 6+ hours rides, I'd say you've left it a little late...
I would be happy to do 17hrs+.
And not be last.
I think the enjoyment part comes post ride!