just curious really, is anyone actually training for BB200 or are most people able to just go out and ride this type of distance/ascent without changing their normal routine?
it’s a big step up for me so I’m making sure I can cram in a few long rides and turbo sessions. No chance of replicating anywhere near the 6,000m of climbing so that will be my biggest problem I think.
Please put my mind at rest that everyone else isn’t going to simply turn up and ride it with little or no preparation.
Not really. I'm probably going to have to pull out of a triathlon I'm doing in September due to injury. The Hell of the West Cyclo X trans Dartmoor in the run up to BB200 has now been cancelled (shorter than the BB200 but a vital barometer of my form). I don't think I've actually cycled since sometime last week, and I feel dizzy just walking between the fridge and the sofa.
So..... not going too well so far. On a positive note I have googled GPSs a couple of times on the internet but haven't bought one yet so I'm doing something in the right direction. Hope that helps.
Yep. 50mls 1800mtr of climbing last Sunday, it's the night section and possible sleeping in a ditch that I struggle with so planning to do it with minimal stopping. The last 200k ride I did was in June and took me 7h 20mins, not sure if the Etape Du Yorkshire on my 16lb carbon road bike counts for anything though.
Had a few outings with the Revo this week but not sure if it gives enough light at slow speed so I've got 2 options, ride faster or get a back up light.
In all honesty, bloody mindedness plays a big part. Last year I hadn't done any specific (or otherwise) training but set off 'knowing' that I'd finish, I wasn't sure quite how long it'd take me but I was never in any doubt about getting to the end. Knowing just how much grief I'd get if I bailed may also have been a great motivator
There's a point when bailing out actually becomes a harder option than carrying on - aim to reach that point then just keep riding.
Like Stu says I have no doubt that I will finish but I don't know what the time will be. Did it in 20 and half hours last time and I'm massively fitter and quicker than I was then so hoping to finish in less time. Depends on the route though. I'm doing a lot of riding generally and from now on all my evening and weekend rides will be with BB200 kit so I get used to what that feels like.
A massive area that I have improved on though is my "race craft". As in knowing that one of the big barriers to a quick time is how long you stop for. Make sure that everything you need is to hand, do things at the same time so you stop less. If you stop to get your water proof on, eat as well and try to combine it with opening a gate and taking a leak, that sort of thing.
Another area is your attitude. Last time I was all about the finishing. This year I will be about the racing and so I won't be bothered about riding with other people etc. It was great last year to ride with others through the night and I have become good friends with those guys and done a loads of trips with them since but I won't be waiting for any one or asking anyone to wait for me. I just want to race and get it done as quick as I possibly can.
I started a 'training' thread a while back and have done pretty much nothing of any use since!
I'm getting out and riding and I'm feeling semi-fit but family, work, my nemesis of a back and various other issues are keeping me from doing anything like the miles/hours that I'd planned.
But.....
I'll be there and I'll keep riding until my legs fall off!
My new plan is to ride/'train' as much as life allows and then use a combination of stubbornness and stupidity to try and get back in less than 30 hours.
s8tannorm wrote:There's a point when bailing out actually becomes a harder option than carrying on - aim to reach that point then just keep riding.
I remember reaching that point.
The next point is then "carrying on riding is easier than stopping and getting bivvy kit out and then carrying on again in the morning", I remember reaching that point too.
The point after that I remember is "I'm gonna bloody make it".
work is stupidly busy as usual , so with me it a couple of 30milers in the evening per week,
and try to get a long ride from home to Cannock chase and back on sundays usually about 60/70 miles .
But over the route there is no more than 1500 mtr of climbing,
So im hope that 6-8 hours of constant peddling will help a bit
I crashed and picked up a knee injury a couple of days after entering. I've not been able to do any long or hard riding since but it is getting slowly better. Anyway, I'll be woefully under-prepared and it may take me a week to finish but I'm doing it.
Been slowly ramping up the miles and have some more night riding lined up over the next few of weeks.
Doubt I'll get out on the bike this weekend so I'll dedicate the time to working on my flapjack recipe - needs to be solid enough to survive in a frame bag but without requiring too much energy/effort to chew when the temp drops overnight...
Well that puts my mind at rest a bit, looks like there'll be a few of us rolling in on Sunday sometime... by the looks of it there is going to be some pretty stiff competition for that prestigious last place. Reckon I'm still a firm favourite!
