Discussion
I'm planning on doing a 200 mile ride in June next year. Nothing organised just 5 of us getting up early and finishing late. I reckon 15-16 hours. This doesn't phase me at all but there is a debate amongst us as to how many stops we should take. My view is 3 - ie every 50 miles. Another is saying 7 which is every 25 miles. For those who have done longer distance rides what is your experience / advice? We are all decent riders that can easily do sub 5 hour century rides.
I recently did a 400km in under 18hrs. I stopped every 80km or so, which felt about right. However, it was flat terrain, with little wind - it really felt like an easy ride. On day one of LEL, I did 401km in 17hr, with 4 stops - a couple of legs were 100km, which felt too long without refreshments.
I'd be flexible in a group, but very strict about lengths of stops. Faffing is a killer for me - I try to stop for no more than 15 minutes, and would rather eat Soreen/flapjack on the go than sit down for food.
I'd be flexible in a group, but very strict about lengths of stops. Faffing is a killer for me - I try to stop for no more than 15 minutes, and would rather eat Soreen/flapjack on the go than sit down for food.
Agree with the faffing.
Also remember you will only be as quick as the weakest rider in the group, it can get frustrating @ 80 miles in and the pace dropping to nothing due to one rider, I've done big distances before with mates and had to cut it early as we were running out of time due to the slow pace -14mph.
Should be good, aiming for the same in March/April, think I will do it on my own as I can set my own pace
Also remember you will only be as quick as the weakest rider in the group, it can get frustrating @ 80 miles in and the pace dropping to nothing due to one rider, I've done big distances before with mates and had to cut it early as we were running out of time due to the slow pace -14mph.
Should be good, aiming for the same in March/April, think I will do it on my own as I can set my own pace
I wouldnt plan in stops, just take them as and when you need them. Whats more important is ensuring that everyone has a mechanically sound bike, some very comfy shorts and an emergency sachet of chamois cream! I personally couldnt do 200 miles without one longer break so I'd plan a short break at 60 miles, a nice long one for solid food at 140 miles and then head for home.
You could also look for a 300km audax and just add a bit on at the end to make the mileage? that way there is an impetus to keep going to meet the checkpoints?
You could also look for a 300km audax and just add a bit on at the end to make the mileage? that way there is an impetus to keep going to meet the checkpoints?
I've only ever done 110 solo, so not much help to you! But I would keep the length of the stops down as much as you can, but one long-ish stop for a proper meal could be worth it in terms of morale etc. You also need to be a bit flexible, your planned stops may be in bad locations (side of a busy road, top of a long climb) or you may lose people due to mechanicals etc.
25miles seems too often to me; maybe two shorter ones at 50 and 90, then a bigger lunch stop somewhere around 120/130, then a short one at 170.
25miles seems too often to me; maybe two shorter ones at 50 and 90, then a bigger lunch stop somewhere around 120/130, then a short one at 170.
pablo said:
You could also look for a 300km audax and just add a bit on at the end to make the mileage? that way there is an impetus to keep going to meet the checkpoints?
See the 300km Audax thread - if you are doing a 300, may as well do a 400 - it there is interest, perhaps PH group effort on the old 240? Reports suggest it's a cracking event.http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/13-933/
Did a 200 miler earlier in the year with a 4 friends, we did it in 14 hours with just under 11hrs pedalling. A few of the stops were unplanned for punctures, repairs etc which ate up a bit of time. As this was the furthest most of us had ridden there were times we had to slow down for a rider who was having a bad spell dropping the overall average to 18.6mph for the ride.
We just planned on 3 food stops which felt about right. If you can all do sub 5 hrs for 100 miles you’ll easily rattle it off within 12-13 hours including 3 or 4 stops.
We just planned on 3 food stops which felt about right. If you can all do sub 5 hrs for 100 miles you’ll easily rattle it off within 12-13 hours including 3 or 4 stops.
lynus2004 said:
Did a 200 miler earlier in the year with a 4 friends, we did it in 14 hours with just under 11hrs pedalling. A few of the stops were unplanned for punctures, repairs etc which ate up a bit of time. As this was the furthest most of us had ridden there were times we had to slow down for a rider who was having a bad spell dropping the overall average to 18.6mph for the ride.
We just planned on 3 food stops which felt about right. If you can all do sub 5 hrs for 100 miles you’ll easily rattle it off within 12-13 hours including 3 or 4 stops.
4 of you and you had to drop to 18.6 over 200 miles. Wow, that's good going!!!We just planned on 3 food stops which felt about right. If you can all do sub 5 hrs for 100 miles you’ll easily rattle it off within 12-13 hours including 3 or 4 stops.
My advice (and it might sound obvious) is to ride with your team as much as possible before the event. You'll get to know each other's strengths/weaknesses and moral and commeradery will be high which will be essential over that distance. You're more likely to let each other know how you're truly feeling and adjustments can be made to support each other.
Mechanical/punctures are unfortunately inevitable in a group over that distance, so if you have to make an unexpected stop keep an eye on how long the stop has taken and try and fuel while your fixing whatever the problem is.
Thank you all very much for your sensible comments and advice. Much appreciated. I think we are looking at a round trip from marlow to lymington with a loop in the new forest to ensure the mileage is satisfied. It's a decent route -quiet country roads for a very decent proportion of the journey and not too lumpy. My view is a stop at a place called Stockbridge.at around 55 miles where there is a nice tea shop for a bacon butty. Next stop at the New Forest, at > 100 miles so that psycologically we are over half way there. I can see 2 stops occurring on the return leg although these will be incorporated into punctures etc if we have them. Really looking forward to it!
Rob_T said:
Thank you all very much for your sensible comments and advice. Much appreciated. I think we are looking at a round trip from marlow to lymington with a loop in the new forest to ensure the mileage is satisfied. It's a decent route -quiet country roads for a very decent proportion of the journey and not too lumpy. My view is a stop at a place called Stockbridge.at around 55 miles where there is a nice tea shop for a bacon butty. Next stop at the New Forest, at > 100 miles so that psycologically we are over half way there. I can see 2 stops occurring on the return leg although these will be incorporated into punctures etc if we have them. Really looking forward to it!
I know Stockbridge well. That tea shop will be busy! Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff