200km is just the beginning
…or so it is for the seasoned randonneur.
I’ve ridden the first two brevets in the San Francisco Randonneur‘s 2010 schedule. Being only February, I am feeling a lot better about my cycling fitness level as this is usually the time of the year when I let the shorter days and wetter weather dictate my cycling regimen.
I did my first century and rode AIDS LifeCycle in 2006 and since then I’ve tried to make it a habit to train for at least one century (100 mile ride) a year. Up until this point, I had only done one 200km ride. And honestly, I felt pretty bad ass after I had completed it. I just finished my second 200km of the year and I am feeling both proud about working toward new fitness goals and also really intimidated about what randonneuring offers.
Looking forward on the SF Randonneur’s schedule, the next two rides are a 300km ride at the end of this month and a 400km ride at the end of next month. That roughly translates to 180 and 250 miles, respectively. After about 80 to 100 miles on my bike, I have been feeling like the tanks are running close to empty and can’t help but monitor my mileage closely as we approach the finish. Not only that, but I have bonked (everything feeling a lot harder than it should be) at some point on both rides and have also had some sore areas that I wouldn’t notice on shorter training rides.
Moving on, I am pretty sure that I’ll need to make some changes in my preparation. I’ve found some really good reading material at Ultra Marathon Cycling Association‘s site about training and nutrition. I really can’t call myself an ultra cyclist, but the idea of being one sounds pretty cool I must admit. From what I’ve read so far, it sounds like I have a lot of room for improvement.
I will probably sign up for the 300km and will have the 400km in the back of my mind. Wish me luck!
Tags: cycling, randonneuring
February 8th, 2010 at 11:19 am
wow, those are some long rides. good luck!!!
February 8th, 2010 at 11:56 am
That was me you passed, just before you reached the parking lot!
Ha ha, good times! I was hurting pretty bad!
I was riding the grey colored bike with the fake Miele stickers.
February 8th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Hahaha! That’s awesome! I was really beat at the end and that final push was about all I had left in me. I rode home afterward and probably topped out at around 8mph.
Are you planning on riding the 300k?