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I have entered a multiday bikepacking race that is about 20wks away.
Its 1150km and 23000m climbing. Id like to be able to do it in 7 days. Thats 165km a day with c3300m climbing.
Its not a stage race, its a self sufficient adventure. Im also umlikely to trouble anyone except for the lantern rouge.
Im happybwith my kit and sleeping out. Its mixed terrain and my rigid mtb is bike of choice. Its comfy and on 29 Ikons or Mezcals its fairly efficient.
I would consider myself fairly fit and riding approx 10hr per week. Im 52 urs old with a resting HR of 45bpm. Most of my riding is with my GF and is riding for fun and not training.
I need a plan or prescriptive programme to get me to a place where my 7 day completion is realistic.
I have access to an ok local gym, and a low tech turbo trainer at home. I have Garmin HRM and a power meter on one bike, but mot the one on the turbo.
I work shifts, but kids at uni meams i have a chumk of me time to invest in this.
Can anyone advise me of a plan or done anything similar? Im really not trying to wow anyone, just complete it in good time and in good order. As its an 'eat,sleep,ride, repeat' event, I am happy that the key to distance is long days.
Beener
I only started doing ITTs when I was 56 so age isn't really a problem.
Get a few long days under your belt, ideally some successive days so you know what it feels like to ride when tired. Usually it's the third or fourth day that are tricky since you can ride both days on a weekend then Monday would be a day off ...
If you know what the route will be then check where the shops and cafes are and figure out if your schedule gets to them when they are open. Waste as little time as possible at those shops and cafes - multi-task if possible: nip to the toilet whilst they are preparing your order; if it's sunny hang your sleeping bag out to get dry; charge up devices; that sort of thing. Generally the fast riders aren't that much faster than the middle of the pack, they just stop less.
What's the event?
When it comes to cycling fitness, you get the best bang for your buck from structured training. Â 20 weeks would give you just the right amount of time for a Base and Build block using TrainerRoad, and if you're basic turbo trainer is one of the supported ones then you just need a speed sensor that can be connected to a phone/ipad/computer (Bluetooth or ANT with dongle) to be able to use Virtual Power. Â I reckon a Sweetspot Base block followed by a Sustained Power Build block would be pretty good preparation for a multi-day event.
Its the Italy Divide. It looks fab. Ruth did the FD in 2017 and loved it, but was properly underbiked with a cx bike. Her friend did Italy divide last year and enjoyed it, so we are off to try it.