I've never cycled massive distances before, but as I've just signed up for a club event where we're going to cycle 100 mi each day for 2 days. I thought I better get some mileage in and just double check I can do the distance!
Unfortunately the friend I was meant to be cycling with this morning had a mechanical issue and couldn't join me, so I went out by myself.
Really pleased that the route I grabbed from komoot worked so well and was a very pleasing mix of gravel and road.
The bike worked absolutely flawlessly, although I do need to change the tires. 10 km into the ride I had a puncture that was so epic. It was spraying sealant everywhere! This is puncture number 12 in 2 months on the Maxxis Receptor's - they roll really fast but I don't think they're the most puncture resistant
What is weird is I'm not as tired as I thought I would be. I ran two marathons in the last few months and after each one I was absolutely shattered that day and now I am tired but not that bad...
Here's to.many more longer cycle trips
Nice one! 100 miles mixed gravel and road is a decent shift!
The best thing about riding longer distances is it opens up so many other opportunities to research and ride silly routes! 😂
Congratulations! I did my first century ride the other day too. Welcome to the club. 🙂
Yay! Good effort.
If your tyre resealed then the set up did it's job. Don't forget to add some replacement sealant..
I find my post ride fatigue is determined by the amount of climbing and headwind as much as distance... Also the amount of wine the night before has a big impact (friend's 50th this weekend wiped out yesterday....).
Not managed to get out again this weekend but did two hours on the turbo with a Rouvy workout... Poor substitute but better than nothing.
Unfortunately the friend I was meant to be cycling with this morning had a mechanical issue and couldn’t join me
If you end up regularly trying to enlist mates to accompany you on 100s you'll be AMAZED how often this seems to happen!
Well done, especially solo - I used to get home and the next thing I knew a whole box of Crunchy Nut and 4 pints of milk would have disappeared!
According to my Garmin watch, I have burned through 3,500 calories so far today which is almost a marathon...
I too have essentially browsed fridge and cupboards and I suspect I have consumed more than 3 500 calories:)
Regarding fuelling, I learnt this lesson when I was doing marathon training. For a half marathon, I don't really need anything other than a cup of tea in the morning. But as soon as I run past 27 km I hit a wall and unless I've eaten something I will have a major problem. Today as I'd eaten breakfast, I brought a huel bar with me and a keto bar with me. I had them at 65km with a cup of tea. And this is one massive difference between running and cycling, if I'm running I have to eat on the move, cycling. I had a very dignified snack stop 🙂 and then seemingly had no further problem getting back on the bike and within a few minutes back into the swing of things.
I’m training for the hotchillee Stone Circle ride in June. I opted for the 150 km loop.
Biggest problem I’m finding is setting time aside to train. I was out at 5am yesterday and turned in 65 miles of road and fire roads type riding with 4000 ft of climbing. Next step will be 75 miles but there always seems to be something on at the weekends, family wise. Loathe to take a day off.
Good work OP. 😁
It's good to have a challenge or two.
Excellent work.
Once you've done your first hundred mile, it really does overcome a psychological barrier, which IME helps you relax on longer rides and enjoy them more.
Congrats buddy, I agree though, I can't stand tyres that are really susceptible to punctures either!
Well done.
...I opted for the 150 km loop.
Biggest problem I’m finding is setting time aside to train. I was out at 5am yesterday and turned in 65 miles of road and fire roads...
Tenfoot, if you are getting out frequently and can do 65 miles without being completely smashed, you'll be fine with an extra 30.
And well done quentyn.
How much elevation did you cover?
When I posted up my first (and only 100) a couple of years ago a Roadie pal said "most folk who ride their first 100 pick a flatter route...".
I hadn't gone out with the intention of doing a 100, and it was only my 2nd ride on a road bike (really my gravel bike with road tyres) - but when I'd done 50 and having lunch in a cafe I just kinda carried on.
101 miles and +7,500ft 🙂
Well the route was up and over the Chilterns so it was always going to be hilly, over all was 995m of elevation over the 100km. Some tough climbs and I was careful on the downhills as I didn't know the roads (top speed 56kph) . Definitely made a decision to swap the grx400 calipers for hope at some point as braking (even with hands on the drops) was vague
Ah, 100km...
^^It's still an achievement for the op, if you've not done that distance before, it's a real milestone and gateway drug to 100miles. 👍😁
I did the Peddars Way there and back a few years ago. Lovely ride and easily doable on a gravel bike. Pretty flat obviously. I was hilariously over biked but thoroughly enjoyed it. It's about 91 miles so you can easily take a little detour to bring it up to 100 miles.👍
Kramer
Free Member
I’m working up to a 100 on my gravel bike at the moment. I’d quite like to do an MTB 100.100 miles is an “imperial 100” according to Garmin.
SDW? Ok, you don't*need* to do it on an MTB but I wouldn't class it as an easy ride by any means.
@Poopscoop - that maybe an option.
Traws Eryri is next on the list, with a view to working up to (mostly) The Great North trail next year, so getting to 100k days is more a part of making that easier than a goal in and of itself.
The mountain biking round me (East Cheshire) is a bit meh, hence the building up on a Gravel Bike which is much nicer.
Kramer
Free Member
@Poopscoop – that maybe an option.Traws Eryri is next on the list, with a view to working up to (mostly) The Great North trail next year, so getting to 100k days is more a part of making that easier than a goal in and of itself.
The mountain biking round me (East Cheshire) is a bit meh, hence the building up on a Gravel Bike which is much nicer.
Sounds like a real bit of adventure being planned! Great stuff. 👍
^^It’s still an achievement for the op, if you’ve not done that distance before, it’s a real milestone and gateway drug to 100miles
Well, fair enough but you don't get to have the whole box of Crunchy Nut until you make the 100 Imperial!
I've got a 200km route saved on Strava which is as flat as I can make it. Still some rolling terrain tho. Tempted to give it a go.