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Post by andy4d on Oct 14, 2015 13:14:02 GMT
ok so I need some help.
there is a charity ride at my local trail centre in 2 weeks and you can select either the 35km route or the 50km route. This is not a race just a bimble. There are wind turbines going in soon so a lot of the existing trails will be gone to make way for access roads etc so this ride is some of the existing trails but also off piste trails that you wouldnt normally go on or get to use again due to the works. My dilema is as follows..
50km- never been on most of this route due to lack of fitness, the trails can be a bit technical and I am on a hard tail. will I die or not enjoy it due to being knackered half way round. Should I push myself?
35km- been on lots of this so know what to expect, might enjoy it more as it will not kill me.
I have not done a whole lot of long rides lately and most of my rides are around the 20km mark so i feel 50km is too big a jump.
what do ya all think 35km or 50km?
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Post by hodgy on Oct 14, 2015 13:21:57 GMT
I think you have answered your own question ..it's got to be enjoyable ..so stick to what you know you can do ..which is still 15 km more than you have been doing recently ..35km
Have fun
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Post by Marmite on Oct 14, 2015 13:22:23 GMT
If your feeling brave go for the 50 k and just plod a long if not 35 k  Good luck |
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Post by jgmu97 on Oct 14, 2015 13:29:54 GMT
I had the same option for my event,
Do 7 hills or 14. Personally, i love a challenge, but even so, 7 was going to be difficult, so i stuck with that. If the event runs again, i will do the 14, and push myself harder
Doesn't really answer your question, but like hodgy said, even the 35km is 15km more than your usual, so it may well be challenging enough
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Post by Jimbo on Oct 14, 2015 15:08:39 GMT
The first event type thing i did was 60K Brecon Beast and at the time I was averaging 20-25k on my rides. I wanted the challenge to push me and my fitness. Personally I would aim for the 50k and check if you can change to the shorter route if needed. Realistically it will be an extra 1.5 hours of riding. You can ride a hard tail anywhere you can ride a FS just need to pick your lines better and if it gets too technical then walk. I remember walking a 200yrd section and being embarrassed about it only to turn around and see about 20 people follow suit! Go on, push yourself (I accept no claims for injury etc. ) |
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Post by andy4d on Oct 14, 2015 15:49:35 GMT
i agree with everything said.........still dont know, thinking 35km, but dont want to think at the end 'wish I had done the 50km'. I think the weather may swing it on the day,
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Post by Jimbo on Oct 15, 2015 7:37:55 GMT
doing my first 50k was the best thing i ever did on a MTB. Personally if you can ride 35K doing the extra 15 isn't that big a deal, however, make sure you eat and drink while riding even if you don't feel hungry. I stop and eat a banana / energy bar / sweets / flapjack or something every hour without fail.
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Post by andy4d on Oct 15, 2015 14:40:41 GMT
doing my first 50k was the best thing i ever did on a MTB. Personally if you can ride 35K doing the extra 15 isn't that big a deal, however, make sure you eat and drink while riding even if you don't feel hungry. I stop and eat a banana / energy bar / sweets / flapjack or something every hour without fail. This is kinda my thinking Jimbo hence my dilema. Oh and its Flapjack and wine gums for me  |
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Post by Jimbo on Oct 15, 2015 21:58:35 GMT
Has to be jelly babies! Go for it
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Post by jgmu97 on Oct 16, 2015 10:29:38 GMT
Well, i've got more to add! My usual ride now on the Maxim is about 10 miles, but thats all trail riding. Last night, i decided to go on the group night ride. It ended up being a 35 mile killer! Having not rode properly for around 4 weeks, and riding heavy, i really really struggled. For the first time in my life, i was last coming up all the hills, it was not fun. On the descents, it was great, but i think i jumped in the deep end, having not been on the bike for a while, and then riding the longest distance i had on that bike, in the dark!
Not a good night, it was a terrible solo pedal home. I had a few jels and plenty of water, plus a big dinner before i left, but i just bonked, and had extreme cramp!
So, make sure you get riding before, and get plenty of energy supplements, i had the High five race pack for my event, and it was a real bonus!
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Post by andy4d on Nov 1, 2015 16:12:29 GMT
Right so I went for the 35km today which turned out to be 40KM so really glad I never opted for the 50km (it was probably 55km). I have to be totally honest and say I was gone from about 28KM, I have never seen so many hills, it felt it was all uphill, and I am ashamed to say I had to walk some of them!!! With the recent rain it was like cycling through treacle (churned up by about 150 riders) in places and really sapped the strength, really glad I have done it now but at 30 odd KM on a looooong uphill I was not so happy. Never done more than 35km before so chuffed with myself. The missus aint to happy at the muddy mess outside the washing machine  |
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Post by hodgy on Nov 1, 2015 16:19:56 GMT
Well done Andy ..
That's a real achievement ..going beyond what you have ever done ...
Spot on
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Post by glynnsixo on Nov 1, 2015 16:44:44 GMT
well done! you now have an idea what to expect.with plenty of good preperation before and during the ride and a bit of fitness building before the event, you might want to aim for a longer one next time.well organised events have a great buzz about them.
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