[Closed] 100 miles... How easy?

Set off early and jump on the first group, if they drop you, get on the next one .......

[quote=mboy ]am I worrying unduly?This.
Ride the bike you are used to. You don't want to be uncomfortable.
Pace yourself. Don't ride faster that you are happy with just to stay in a group. Start early and another will be along in due course.
Drink/eat.

Ride the bike you know.

I would recommend sticking to your usual bike for your first 100 mile ride.

For the record, I have the same bike as you, and done 100 miles no bother. The Defy is bombproof and a nice comfy position for distance.

You'll be fine, you are worrying too much. TBH I don't understand why someone who can ride 60m comfortably would be so worried.

At worst you'll blow up/get the bonk etc, it's not like you'll hurt yourself or not finish.

You are worrying about nothing. I ride 20 to 40 miles regularly, with the odd 60+ thrown in. I rode a 100 miler a few weeks ago by myself.

It was hard, but my advice would be to take plenty of food and drink and a couple of energy gels with you. And here's the bit I didn't do - pace yourself. I started with riding Z2 in mind (ride so you can't feel any burn in your legs and if you do, back off) to stop me hammering my legs, but as I realised I'd come under 3.30 I got lured in by that target.

Other that that, what he said. Its easier to follow than lead, and if you can ride in a group you'll get some aero benefits and will get pulled along if you can try to stay on wheel. If you can ride with someone you know even better

BTW, its not an Evans ride-it by any chance is it? I'm doing that one in a couple of weeks too.

You can do it. We had a guy that had only ever ridden 62 miles maximum, and he only has a few years riding in his legs join us for over 120 miles of a 180+ mile ride.
He was fine.
Stick to the bike you know, eat and hydrate well. Ride at one notch under the usual. **** every one else.

Is a Defy like the old SCRs? I rode a century on one a few years back.

Is a Defy like the old SCRs?

Yup.

I would stick with you own bike as you be used to it the most, like saddle, reach, saddle hight etc, but if you do go for the lighter bike change the saddle.
But I would ask if you can borrow thet ligh wheels as that would make a big diffence, just change the cassette.

As for the ride sounds like you do well, JUST make sure you keep fueling your body with drink and food. Even if it meens stoping to top up bottles. If it is warm/hot more drink than food. Food should have little fat as you can find. (fat just sits in stomach and slows other food been procesed)
And start eating drinking early (in the first hour, little and oftern.
gen rule is 1g of carb to 1Kg of body weight per hour so 80kg rider should eat 80g of carb per hour, some studys show that with low fat high carb food/drink the body can take up to 1.5g of carb per KG. (but you might whant to ty that out first!)

Kryton57 - Member

I started with riding Z2 in mind (ride so you can't feel any burn in your legs and if you do, back off) to stop me hammering my legs, but as I realised I'd come under 3.30 I got lured in by that target.

You aimed for an average of 30mph?

gen rule is 1g of carb to 1Kg of body weight per hour so 80kg rider should eat 80g of carb per hour, some studys show that with low fat high carb food/drink the body can take up to 1.5g of carb per KG. (but you might whant to ty that out first!)

Or whatever tastes nice 😀

Or whatever tastes nice

Cinnamon and Raisin Malt loaf in jersey pocket. Sorted.

cynic-al - Member
Kryton57 - Member
I started with riding Z2 in mind (ride so you can't feel any burn in your legs and if you do, back off) to stop me hammering my legs, but as I realised I'd come under 3.30 I got lured in by that target.

You aimed for an average of 30mph?

LOL! I wish - sorry that was 100k. My 100m time was 5.57.

Did you do any back pedalling? 😉

The bike is same as this oldgit... Only thing I've changed so far in 18 months (and only about 600 miles probably!) is the saddle...

[img] [/img]

Still not messed about with the gearing, as more I started riding it, the more I was able to pedal the 50T ring on the flat in a sensible (ie 19 or 17T) cog on the back. But that said, I'm thinking a 12-27 for the climbs might make sense over the 12-25 on there right now as there's a couple of climbs that are 20% or so.

Also, do tyres make a big difference? And if so, what cheap(ish) tyres would make a difference over the standard (rather heavy at 310g each) Kenda's?

The stock STW tyre response is the Conti GP4000S.

I found the jump from a max ride of 60 miles to 105 miles no problem - what I think eased the pain was riding at a steady pace / not racing (until getting excited when I realised there was still plenty in the tank at 90 miles), and also a good amount of tasty food ('normal' stuff like sarnies and cake !)

I have Michelin Pro 3s, blue sidewalls of course, on my identical Defy. Work for me, and my local country roads are rough as ****.

[img] [/img]

...saddle bag now removed.

glupton1976 - Member
Did you do any back pedalling?

Give me a break, I'm new(ish) to road riding.... , it rained, I was on a new saddle, I got abused by a driver for no reason, erm what else.... :p

Its not the amount of miles its the amount of climbing that's the problem.

You'll be fine. I did my first century unintentionally after riding sixty (my previous maximum) then realising I needed to get home.

Did my first century last weekend, from roughly a similar platform to yourself.

Found a good group and managed it in 5 and a half hours, pace slightly higher than I'm used to but had the option to drop back a shelter from time to time.

You'll be fine, only problem I had thing was starting to feel sick at around the 80-90 mark. Put it down to using an unfamiliar drink so would recommend you stick with what you know, including the bike.

Chamois creme and mtfu

The stock STW tyre response is the Conti GP4000S.

Didn't read the "cheap(ish)" bit in my post then? 😯

Ouch, they're not cheap!

Was thinking more like £15 to £20 a tyre max really!

Was thinking more like £15 to £20 a tyre max really!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=26230

Riding 100 miles is easy, riding it fast is not.

Our company have just done a 800 mile ride from Glasgow to West London, 800 miles in 9 days. People who were non cyclists in spring have completed it. Some very unlikely characters were there, like our MD's PA.

If they can do that, then you can do 100

I think you'll probably suprise yourself and find it not to difficult at all.

+1 for eat/drink regularly, its surprising how much difference this makes.

I think food is the key ...eat every hour ..gels ...energy bars ..whatever but I get craving for savoury after about 4-5 hours ...so scotch egg helped... Oh and my shoulders hurt more than my legs after 100 miles

Michelin Lithion 2s are great cheap tyres.

Dont use gels, eat real food.

Also without harping on, 100 miles used to be the Sunday standard distance

The bike is same as this oldgit... Only thing I've changed so far in 18 months (and only about 600 miles probably!) is the saddle...

Just checked, my mate covered 552 miles in four days on a Defy 3

i plan to eat something every 20 miles approx and keep drinking, building up to my first 100, 80 so far is my longest

Also without harping on, 100 miles used to be the Sunday standard distance

Yeah, but you're a proper roadie thoroughbred. Mboy has covered naff all distance on the road bike, hence the apprehension.

You will be fine though. You'll do the 60 miles you're used to at a steadier pace. And at the same time you'll be well over half way. That said, to this day the last 10 miles of any ride I do seems to take an age.

Riding 100 miles is easy, riding it fast is not.

I see where you're coming from, and I know that if it was flat, it'd not faze me at all... There's 4000ft of climbing over the route though! Mind you, that's only the same as 3 laps of Mountain Mayhem to be fair...

I think you'll probably suprise yourself and find it not to difficult at all.

I'm hoping so, and cheers for the encouragement. Mostly scared about not getting up Ankerdine Hill after already having done about 70 miles on the bike (it's probably a mile long and 20% gradient in places)

You'll be fine, after 70 miles, it'll just hurt a bit more, nothing you can't handle.

Riding 100 miles is easy, riding it fast is not.

I see where you're coming from, and I know that if it was flat, it'd not faze me at all... There's 4000ft of climbing over the route though! Mind you, that's only the same as 3 laps of Mountain Mayhem to be fair...

I think you'll probably suprise yourself and find it not to difficult at all.

I'm hoping so, and cheers for the encouragement. Mostly scared about not getting up Ankerdine Hill after already having done about 70 miles on the bike (it's probably a mile long and 20% gradient in places)

Just take it steady away and it'll be fine, use your easy gear up the hills etc.

I dont ride over 100miles often at all (twice this year I think!)

First 100miler I did this year was the Fred Whitton, I took it steady and finished feeling reasonably fresh(ish) - my neck hurt but my legs were fine. Obviously the hills take it out of you a bit, but its all about pacing yourself.

If I'd wanted to do a 6 and a half hour time instead of 7 then it would have been a completetly different ball game and probably would have required me to do some proper training. Maybe next year!

I jump on a few Defy's a week and for bikes around the 700 quid mark, they feel pretty comfy. I'm thinking about putting 25c's on my own bike as every Defy I ride seems to have 25c's. Not too bothered about the speed or weight of my own bike,just get the impression that its going to be a more enjoyable ride around these crappy roads in the highlands!

I did the etape.du dales earlier this year pretty much double the longest I had ridden. Started really early. Ate loads, it was fine. My neck was also more trouble than my legs. Just don't be shy of jumping on the back of a group.

You'll be fine, i did 90 miles yesterday having only done 70miles as my biggest ride before that

I think the hardest thing will be trying not to be bored out of your mind.

Save as much energy as you can by getting on a few wheels, the concentration needed for this will prevent boredom.

Michelin Pro 3s are a great tyre, I weigh 72 kgs and I run mine at 100 psi, which is fast and comfortable.

There will be three or four feed stations; make sure you stop to rest, stretch your back and eat some energy-rich food. It shouldn't be hot but make sure you keep drinking and it helps if you put some maltodextrin in your drinking water or use an energy drink, but carbohydrate based not sugar. If you're prone to cramp, take some kind of salt supplement as well.

Brilliant info from most people, cheers guys.

I suffer a bit from low blood sugar levels anyway, and have a very fast metabolism for a guy my age, so am used to eating quite a bit on my MTB rides anyway. Certainly anything over a 2hr ride and I'll have to have a nibble whilst out, but longer than that and I'll nibble a bit fairly frequently. I don't get on at all well with energy drinks though, but your tip about the maltodextrin is a good one globalti, and yes prone to cramp too so will take some salt supplement. Many thanks!

Current tyres are 25c's though, and thinking about what martinxyz said, is it worth sticking with this size? Do I lose anything in speed by not going to 23c's (obviously 25 will be slightly more comfortable), or is it more of a weight thing in that 23's will be lighter? Certainly from my brief look on the internet, it's hard to get hold of tyres in the 25c size it would seem unless you're paying close to RRP rather than the huge choice you've got of heavily discounted 23c's.

Oh, and genuine question here... I use Crank Bros MTB pedals, Shimano MTB shoes, and I only own peaked MTB helmets. I know I'll stand out like a sore thumb, but are there likely to be other people there in the same garb or am I going to be the only one that is obviously a Mountain Biker having a go at a Sportive?

Most sportives I've done had a wide range of bikes, including heavy shoppers and hybrids. If you are worried about your image - or just want to improve your forward visibility - most MTB helmet peaks are removable.

Pedal-wise, I use CB Candys for touring and they are just fine. An Eggbeater and a flexible sole might lead to a sore foot but you'd have likely experienced that already.

Don't worry about it mboy ,
Sportives are full of all sorts,mtb stuff is the least of your worries.
(IMO)Riding in a bunch however is not a thing to be learned on the day.
So if you haven't done it before ,pay attention or hide at the back if you are not sure.
Some people whine on about folk drafting (not doing a spell) ,but I would rather they stayed at the back if they are newbies ( it's not like they slow things down). 🙂

All this 'jumping on wheels', 'getting on the back of groups' etc. not really 'riding' a 100 miler if you're using others is it? Do it on your own then you've genuinely ridden a 100 miler. Sorry and all that.

Doing my first roadie 100 on Sunday 14th October.

I think Im looking forward to it!
Not sure the road bike is going to be very comfortbale for that amount of time. 1-1.5 hours is my normal road ride length. More used to long days on the HT

Boblo - Worraloadofbollox

All of the above. I did my first Sportive this year - 100 miles - and it was much easier than I'd expected. It was also my first group ride. I'd only done 70 miles prior to that, but those were 70 hilly Peak District miles so a flatter 100 wasn't really an issue. When I finished there was still plenty in the tank.

- Pace yourself; go at your pace and don't get too tempted to bust a gut to keep up with faster groups
- Keep eating/drinking (make the most of feed stations)
- Enjoy it

All this 'jumping on wheels', 'getting on the back of groups' etc. not really 'riding' a 100 miler if you're using others is it? Do it on your own then you've genuinely ridden a 100 miler. Sorry and all that.

Fair point Boblo ,but I am always on the front 😆

25s aren't significantly slower than 23s, it's just a little weight (in fact the rolling resitance is marginally better on 25s!)

But you will find more lighter tires in 23, as that's what folk have bought into.

"Willywaver of the thread" goes to Boblo!

Pedal-wise, I use CB Candys for touring and they are just fine. An Eggbeater and a flexible sole might lead to a sore foot but you'd have likely experienced that already.

Use Candy's on my MTB's but actually use a set of the Acid's on my Defy cos I didn't want a Hot Spot from my softer soled shoes. So should be fine I suppose.

My MTB helmets look proper wrong without a peak though, might be a hard habit to break that one! 😉

Riding in a bunch however is not a thing to be learned on the day.
So if you haven't done it before ,pay attention or hide at the back if you are not sure.

I'm relatively OK with that, only done about 10-12 group rides now, but I'm alright at it as long as I remind myself not to get too close to the person in front all the time.

All this 'jumping on wheels', 'getting on the back of groups' etc. not really 'riding' a 100 miler if you're using others is it? Do it on your own then you've genuinely ridden a 100 miler. Sorry and all that.

Errr. 30 odd miles at a good pace is tough on my own, probably as tough as the couple of 60's I've done in groups. I do not fancy doing a ton on my own just yet!

Doing my first roadie 100 on Sunday 14th October.

I think Im looking forward to it!
Not sure the road bike is going to be very comfortbale for that amount of time. 1-1.5 hours is my normal road ride length. More used to long days on the HT

Where you doing it mate, cos that's the day I'm gonna be doing one! And I'm in the same situation as you, normal road rides are perhaps 25-30 miles long, but traditionally happy spending much longer out on my Mountain Bike.

Keeping fueled up and pacing are the most important things. You'll manage the distance so long as you get those two things right. Knock back the pace a bit and don't be tempted to work hard to stay in a group thats too fast for you, you;ll regret it later on. Things will start to hurt around 70 miles, but as long as you've been eating and getting the fuel in, it wont be too bad. Keep a couple of caffeine gels or something similar for this point as a pick me up. Good luck, and make sure you enjoy it 🙂

druidh - Member
Boblo - Worraloadofbollox

Would it be the same if you had a bungee tow or drafted a vehicle? Of course not, silly.

<edit> Not willy waving just differentiating between a 100 miler with help and 100 miler without. They ain't the same.

[url= http://mactually.co.uk/?p=138 ]My first century[/url] was on a geared Inbred with heavy commuter slicks on it. And I fitted a rack and a pannier to carry all my food, water, spare clothes, full waterproofs and a D-lock.

Prior to that, I'd once ridden 80 miles and once 60 miles and my only 'training' was riding to work and back - a five mile a day commute.

It took me 10 hours 🙂

I'm no roadie at all, i'd never ridden slick tyres really before and had never ridden more than 60 miles really, but I did London to Brighton and back to London yesterday, a total of 112 miles on a 26ib Croix De Fer CX bike, baggies and a Camelbak

For me the key was keep eating and drinking, stay at a pace you know you can sustain, if you must stop, make sure it is only briefly to fill bottles or eat and spin up the hills (especially Ditchling Beacon in my case)and most importantly make sure your saddle and bars are ones you are used to and comfortable with.

miketually, nice! Though I was hoping for a little closer to 6hrs myself, certainly under 7... 😉

scud, that's an ace achievement! Is the CdF really 26lb though? Quite surprising! I assume you fitted slicks though?

25s aren't significantly slower than 23s, it's just a little weight (in fact the rolling resitance is marginally better on 25s!)

But you will find more lighter tires in 23, as that's what folk have bought into.

Cheers Al

Makes sense kind of. Certainly makes me want to stick with the 25's anyway.

Though why do Time Trialler's go down as low as 19c then? Is that more to do with Aero, and rolling resistance losses are less than any gained aero benefit?

miketually, nice! Though I was hoping for a little closer to 6hrs myself, certainly under 7...

I [url= http://mactually.co.uk/?p=263 ]did it an hour and a half faster the following year[/url], on a singlespeed 29er with 42c cyclocross tyres 🙂

Why? Drafting is recognised as reducing effort by what, 25 - 30% if that's the case, you've only 'really' covered 65 - 70 miles.
Would it be the same if you had a bungee tow or drafted a vehicle? Of course not, silly.

<edit> Not willy waving just differentiating between a 100 miler with help and 100 miler without. They ain't the same.

He does have a point, I think its maybe come across as a little confrontational but I find doing 100 miles in a group far far easier than doing it on my own. Sat in a large bunch, you're maybe on the front a maximum of 8-10 times in 100 miles. On your own, you're on your own....

It wasn't meant to confrontational.... Just to the point. Brevity is the soul of wit and all that.....

nice one miketually, nothing like making it hard for yourself!

EDIT: Ignore me!!! 😳

Sportives are great for the simple reason you can jump on the back of a passing train, sit on it for a while, if its too quick let them go and get the next one.

Riding in groups is what road riding is all about. I went out yesterday on my own, did 100km and 1200m of climbing around the Chilterns in beautiful weather and you know what? It was really hard and a bit boring and I love road riding. Just got battered by the wind the whole way round and didnt have anyone to talk to.

I lost all my mates on the Dragon this year, but hooked up with a lovely fella half way round and we completed together in a good time. Two complete strangers keeping each other going over the last 100km of a 210km ride.......thats what sportive riding is all about.

Hi mBoy, yep fitted slicks to it, 28c wire beaded Gatorskins, which i found OK for my purposes as i was worried about running anything skinnier on CX rims. I do think that if you ride reguarly you'll be fine mate, expecially of you are riding with others and chatting away and keep refuelling.

A bunch of us at work have signed up for the [url= https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/77311/Lands-End-100#summary ]Land's End 100[/url]
...

[url= http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/49399996 ]Route is here[/url]

- the start looks like a long time head to wind 😯

Dont use gels, eat real food

Agree for the most part. But take some Gels as backup. If you're *really* struggling for the last 20 miles, your stomach will thank you for some quickly absorbing gels.

Oh and eat what you train with. Dont use energy drinks etc for the big ride if youve never used em before. If your body deosn't agree with a certain brand (it can happen) you dont wanna find that out on a 100m ride.

Good luck! I have a 145km sportive in a couple of weeks....with 2750m climbing. Thats the bit I'm worried about. 🙄

All this 'jumping on wheels', 'getting on the back of groups' etc. not really 'riding' a 100 miler if you're using others is it? Do it on your own then you've genuinely ridden a 100 miler. Sorry and all that.

Can see the point you're making, but I don't agree. Its not like riding in a group means you can sit on a not pedal at all, sure it reduces your effort, but that just means you get around faster, your legs are still having to pedal, and you're still going to be sat on the bike for anywhere between 4 and 7 hours.

Drafting is recognised as reducing effort by what, 25 - 30% if that's the case, you've only 'really' covered 65 - 70 miles.

So, by this argument, riding a 100 miler on a full susser with knobbly tyres is actually more like a 120 miler 😉

100 miles is 100 miles. Some factors make it easier, some make it harder, but it's still a good old ton. Enjoy it OP

100 miles is 100 miles.

Precisely. How you choose to attack them is your own choice. Personally I'm all for making it as easy as possible so I don't actually kill myself trying, and so that it proves an enjoyable experience I'd like to repeat!

Precisely. How you choose to attack them is your own choice. Personally I'm all for making it as easy as possible so I don't actually kill myself trying, and so that it proves an enjoyable experience I'd like to repeat!

I did 100 miles to just to see if I could do it. Did it one other time, then that was it for me. Too time consuming/boring. I do ride solo with no stops though.

Precisely. How you choose to attack them is your own choice. Personally I'm all for making it as easy as possible so I don't actually kill myself trying, and so that it proves an enjoyable experience I'd like to repeat!

Personally, I don't think I've ever done an enjoyable ride of that distance, satisfying for sure but not enjoyable.
Jumping on to the odd group that comes past is perfectly normal and you'd be daft not too, I was out on Saturday and did 90 ish miles, towards the end I got a tow off the local tri club for 10 miles or so, they were a bit scary but welcome shelter all the same.

Well, if you want to make it as easy as possible...take the bus! All I'm saying is these grand claims of 'having completed such and such' have to be seen in the context of style. You only have to have a quick look at the West Highland Way double thread to realise this.

Getting a tow for a hundred miles is simply not the same as properly riding a century under your own steam. Full stop, end of. You can con yourself it is if you like but the OP's own statement of "I can just about manage 30 miles solo and it feels like 60" makes my point very clearly.

Anyway, enjoy your sportive.

I did the "Hell of the North " a couple of weeks back,101 mile.
The most i'd ridden up to it had been about 80 mile.
I can't say it was enjoyable,as after about 60 mile i just wanted to get back.I rode it alone for virtually all of it and was really happy with my time of 7 hours.
My legs really suffered for the last 15 mile with bad cramp.
The mistake i made was trying to ride too long in gears that i'd use for say a 50 miler.
I would probably do it again but it would be better with another couple of people the same pace,not to get a tow,but just someone to talk to and pass the time.

You must be local to me joeegg. That climb out of Eggleston is 'interesting' after 70-odd miles, eh 🙂

Did 115 miles on a mtb with semi slicks (actually just a very worn Smoke on the back) and panniers a few years ago. Corsham, Wilts to Burton on Trent.

It was fine thinking about it logically: x mph for x hours - OK. But rather daunting looking at it the day before and realising it was pretty much the length of Wales.

Ride went well, bang on the time I expected. I did have a funny turn at 25 miles. Riding away in the drizzle, working out time/distance, done/to do, mileage and time. Should be there in 7 hours riding...

"Hang on?!?! 7 hours? Riding a bike in the pissing rain, on this tiny seat, hunched over these bars, and I'm talking to myself like it's normal? What the **** am I doing?!"

Cue a bout of deranged cackling and head shaking.

But 115 in broken drizzle was much more fun than 75 into a headwind over Salisbury plain the day before. Pedalling down hill, head down, past birds holding position stationary in the wind...

Some people whine on about folk drafting (not doing a spell) ,but I would rather they stayed at the back if they are newbies ( it's not like they slow things down)

They do for some reason, I'm happy for someone to sit behind me all day. It's not like the rider behind is forcing you to do anything. I'd rather sit on the front all day on social rides, I can't stand it when someone wants to show me what they can do.

Eggbeaters are okay, though tbh they'd be my last choice - sorry to sound negative. Then that said loads of audaxers use them over far greater distances.

100 miles is 100 miles.

miketually ,i do the climb out of Eggleston nearly once a week and always hate it.My legs were killing me coming up there on the HOTN.They never really recovered all the way into Darlington.

I reckon you'll be fine. I did my first 100 mile last weekend around the Cotswolds for a local school and charity. I haven't ridden much further than 45 miles for about a decade and nothing further than 35 miles this year. I was hoping to get some training in which didn't happen for one reason or another. I do about 50 to 70 miles a week commuting (in total) and apart from two 30 mile rides in the last month did nothing different. The furthest I have ever ridden before that was about 60 miles but that was about twenty years ago as a teenager.

I did it on my hardtail with 1.9 Schwalbe Land Cruisers, baggies and a Camelbak. The first 60 (ish) I managed to stick with the guys on road bikes (I know it was a relaxed pace for them) but did the last 40 pretty much on my own. I got cramp in both thighs when I briefly stopped at mile 80 and the last 20 hurt a bit. A bit of a pep talk to myself, some jelly babies and I got through it. I reckon it is more in your head than your legs by that point.

I tried to drink plenty and take a bite of a mars bar, flap jack, energy bar, jelly babies every 20 - 30 minutes or so. Towards the end I found it hard to eat but forced myself to. I woke up the following day to find no real aches (which surprised me). Overall time was a bit under 8 hours which while not setting the world alight I was pleased with for a first attempt on my mountain bike. I reckon if I can do it, it sounds like you'll breeze it.