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How To: Ride Your First 100 Miler

July 16, 2008 | Category: Uncategorized | by Grizzly Adam |

Editor’s note: This is a post in an ongoing “How To” series. Have an idea for a How to post? Let me know. And if any topics come up that I am no help at all with, I will track down someone who is!

Also see, ‘How To: Get Sponsored‘.

I have been asked several times how I “switched from XC to endurance riding”. And I usually offer up what is probably an unsatisfactory answer.

“I just sort of rode my bike more.”

Not exactly helpful. So I thought I’d go through some of the process that I experienced when I was preparing for my first endurance event. Feel free to add your own tips and ideas in the comments section.

When I knew that I wanted to try off road hundred milers as well as 12 and 24 hour events, I realized that I would not be able to simply line up and successfully finish one of these demanding rides. So I planned out a course of action that helped me be a little more prepared for that first 100 mile day in the saddle.

1. I read everything I could on the topic. I surfed forums, blogs (in fact, that is how I discovered Kerkove–the first cycling blog I read), articles, magazines, and books. I sent off emails to people who were already established and successful and asked for their advice. I became a sponge.

2. I rode my bike more. Knowledge is powerful. But putting that into practice is even more so. In addition to the regular riding and training I was doing, I tried to incorporate a few 5-8 hour mountain bike rides into my schedule. These rides allowed me to figure out how my body would react to different pacing, food and time in the saddle. I learned a lot in those first few long rides about myself. And about what would work and not work in an endurance setting.

3. I trained a lot on the road. Road riding is boring. Well, it can be. But it is excellent training. The consistency of it means you can target your power or heart rate very specifically for extended periods of time. And because you can rack up a ton of miles on the road relatively easily, it became a big confidence booster. It feels great to look back on a day and see 60 or 70 miles behind you in only 3 or 4 hours. I also did my first road century in preparation for my first off road one. It was a huge help in getting everything dialed in for an dirty hundie.

4. I tried a lot of different foods. I tried different drinks, gels, bars and real foods (bread, fruit, etc.) out on those big rides. It is important to go into your first dirt century (or any big ride) with a clear plan for how you will fuel. Experiment. Find out what tastes good after 6 or 8 hours in the saddle. Find what needs your body has during long efforts and plan accordingly.

5. I had a plan. It is important to have a goal for your big rides and races. But be realistic in those plans. I always try and set a goal that is a little ambitious, even a bit unrealistic. I do this in hopes of pushing myself harder and further. I have had mixed results with this strategy. Use it with caution! Realistic expectations will help you be flexible on race day.

6. I had fun! Riding a mountain bike is fun. A hundred miler, or a 12 hour race should be no exception. Ride the day with a good attitude. Be determined but flexible in your strategy. Roll with the punches. Ride with a smile, and you will most likely finish with one as well.

Riding a bike all day long can be an intimidating proposal. But I think you will be surprised at how well you will do. If you have been riding even somewhat regularly over the last year or two, then you are well on your way to riding for 100 miles…and beyond. Pick an event, train for it, focus on it, set some achievable, process oriented goals and go for it!

Sometimes it is as simple as lining up and pedaling that bike!

Related posts:

  1. 100 Miler Ultra Series
  2. 100 Miler Ultra Series
  3. Nice Ride
  4. Nice Ride
  5. Thursday Recovery Ride

No Comments

  1. StupidBike
    on July 16th, 2008
    1

    In 2002 i did my first and only 100 mile off road race, the Brian Head epic.

    Longest ride on any bike prior

    34 miles, from Guardsman, Crest Down mill creek to home, mostly downhill.

    Food, I just ate clif bars and PB and J sammies.

    Time 10:50

    Feeling post race, that was the hardest effin thing i have ever done.

    yep no prep is better. ;)

  2. Parker
    on July 16th, 2008
    2

    I saw your blog not long ago from a friend after I started getting off the road and onto my mountain bike more. This, as well as your other posts, have been an inspiration to get dirty and off the road more! Thanks!

  3. UltraRob
    on July 17th, 2008
    3

    I’m somewhat like you and just started riding my bike longer. I had to do it though by breaking my Mom’s rules. I’d break my boundary by 10 miles and then convince my Mom that should be my new boundary.

    When I was 15, I did my first 160 mile solo ride. I’m not sure I’ll be comfortable letting my kids do that. That was before cell phones and some places it was over 30 miles between towns.

  4. UltraRob
    on July 17th, 2008
    4

    I didn’t make it clear in my previous comment that the 160 mile ride when I was 15 was on the road. I got my first mountain bike a year or 2 later. It’s scary to think I’ve been doing this stuff for over 20 years.

  5. Fatty
    on July 17th, 2008
    5

    you have an editor?

  6. Keith
    on July 17th, 2008
    6

    You forgot to mention two major requirements for endurance riding. 1. Slight angst about ones own mortality, hence the desire to prove to oneself that you can do that which others deem imprudent. 2. A sweet lumberjack/non-infidel beard which says to everyone, “I live in the mountains, eat berries and sqirrel and can go for days and days without waffels or my i-phone.”

  7. Grizzly Adam
    on July 17th, 2008
    7

    Fatty,

    I thought everyone had their own personal editor?

    Keith,

    I don’t think I have ever had squirrel. But if you want to get me a recipe, and try it out for me, I’d love to watch you do that.

  8. Dave
    on July 18th, 2008
    8

    Squirrel is good, if quite tough. Gotta cook it right. 3 average squirrels = one large pot pie.

    I would make a distinction between starting an endurance riding/racing career from scratch, and starting one from a point where you already do day rides longer than all your buddies, and maybe some backpacking, etc.

    It still freaks me out that so many enduro riders can’t read a topo map.

  9. grannygear
    on July 18th, 2008
    9

    Good post. A hundie is on my list for next year.

    As always, enjoyed the blog.