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#1
08-13-2019, 12:44 PM
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Advice for going looooong (Double Century Rookie)
Looking for any advice, experiences, cautionary tales, tips, tricks, et cetera related to going on a loooong ride – say 200mi +.
Earlier in the summer a friend planted the idea of doing a small group double century around the time of the solstice. For various reasons that never happened, but, I have not been able to shake the idea of doing a double century ever since. I have the opportunity to ride ~100mi to the start of an upcoming event, where I’d join some friends there for another ~100mi. I think I could do it but the prospect of doing it is daunting. A bit about me and this idea FWIW: -I have ridden 100-110mi multiple times this season, including routes with significant climbing (8-11k feet) so have no concerns with a “regular” century -Longest ride ever was B2VT last year (149 mi, 9k feet) -If I did this I would be riding overnight to the early morning start (no sleep, few if any stores open…would self-support) -Weather is looking good, dry and not too hot during the day Main concerns are the whole riding overnight part and just the whole mental challenge of riding through ~7 hours of darkness…only to ride another 100! But I would be riding with friends on the back half, which I think would help mentally. Anyway, if you have any experiences/tales/advice to share about doing something like this, I appreciate your wisdom! 
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#2
08-13-2019, 02:00 PM
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What is your start time? Midnight?
Riding overnight as part of a double century is a slightly different question but here's my take on a more normal double century. Like you my longest ride prior to a double was 150 miles. I've only done two but they went well and ended up just being centuries that took twice as long. I mean I did the same things I do on a century until I hit two hundred miles. Ate, drank, sang songs and pedaled along - they were hard and I was glad to be done but like I said they went well. The only thing I did different than a normal century was stretch several times an hour from the beginning. I can brute force a century riding with poor posture and pedaling squares but I knew that wouldn't work for ~12 hours so I made sure that every opportunity I was stretching on the bike while coasting down a hill or fast flat section. Paid more attention to posture and position and made sure to move my hands around on the handlebars often. I also found loneliness an issue on both my rides as there were extremely long stretches with no cars, people or things to look at. Just rural forest and grassland. These two rides were the only time I listed to podcasts in the past several years and it helped immensely. I have not ridden overnight but have ridden for 4-5 hours in darkness and I suspect riding overnight may invoke a similar feeling. I'd also recommend packing a little extra clothing. Even though it's summer, riding through dawn after a full night may feel much cooler than it would otherwise. Having arm/leg warmers may keep you from getting a summer chill, which is almost worse than in the winter.
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#3
08-13-2019, 02:05 PM
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If it's Solo/unsupported for that distance I'd be thinking fenders & a bag to be prepared for changes in the weather.
I did B2VT last year and in 2016 and the hotter weather in 2018 really made it harder for me. 2016 as soon as it started to get hot it rained and that helped me a lot. I know my challenge on longer and longer rides is dealing with heat. For me to have the most fun with a huge ride like this I think I'd rather do it on my own schedule where I can pick the day with the best weather and then I can time it to when I feel most fit too, least pressure. B2VT and rides like that seem to try and straddle our bad/cold/wet spring weather with the hot humid summer days that come later. Really tough. I also slept really badly before B2VT last year.. anything 150+ again I really want to make sure I get a good night of sleep.
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#4
08-13-2019, 02:06 PM
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The week before your ride:
1. Get lots of sleep. 2. No caffeine. 3. Eat well. 4. Test your lighting to ensure it is bright enough and lasts long enough. On your ride: 1. Bring warm clothes; it is cold at night. 2. Make sure you drink fluids. 3. Have fun. If you can ride 150 miles, you can ride 200.
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#5
08-13-2019, 02:10 PM
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You didn't say where you're doing this either...
There are lots of 200mi routes that would be less thank the 9k feet of climbing B2VT had last year. That could be a big factor. That big 5 mile climb at mile 135 last year was pretty horrible that deep into the ride. The 5 mile descent afterwards felt like one of the best ones I've ever had though!
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#6
08-13-2019, 02:19 PM
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Ha, I was intentionally being vague so as to remain non-committal!
But I'd be riding from the Boston burbs out to the start of D2R2, doing the 160k route. I rode the 180k last year solo. Doing 160k this year with friends. If I did the ride to the start, I'd be looking at something like a 11PM departure to ensure plenty of time to get to start and get some food/coffee/water before "starting" again... Without a doubt this would be the hardest thing I have ever done on a bike (and, perhaps physically ever in my life...but once ran a marathon on little training and I do not think I'll ever be in that much pain from a sport again, I hope)...but that's the point I guess! If it was easy I wouldn't be wondering if I could do it!
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#7
08-13-2019, 02:43 PM
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Quote:
Maybe hook up with New England Randonneur for some of there other rides to build up. I haven't done anything but their 100k rides (plus riding to/from the start) but they do a great job. My kind of event in the way they keep it low key. You could do the 200k and 300k or something as preparation. I did a solo 120 mile ride leading up to B2VT last year.. it was a super tough day with about 7k feet of climbing and I was really on the fence with whether that one actually helped or hurt.. It wasn't quite long enough and yet it was stupid hard too and maybe too close to the event. (I rode to the Pack Monadnock Summit from Boston Suburbs and back.) I would want to get that dialed in before going longer. These rides are almost divorce inducing for me though, not so eager to do one again right away. The amount of preparation looks really selfish from an outside perspective. Last edited by benb; 08-13-2019 at 02:47 PM.
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#9
08-13-2019, 03:05 PM
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Quote:
Reactions to sleep deprivation on the bike will be very personal. It doesn't bother me much, I have no trouble staying awake on 24-30 hours rides. One of my friends has started to fall asleep while riding at 24 hour ride. Another has had hallucinations towards the end of a > 24 hour ride. (Both of them, and I, will be riding the 160K also) If you're not sure how you'll respond, you'll probably want to get some sleep before riding D2R2. Benb makes a good point about New England Randonneurs. I do a bunch of their rides. If you're thinking about long distance riding, look them up for next year. Chris
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#10
08-13-2019, 03:12 PM
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Quote:
Normally I'd camp the night before and hang out, but I'm trying not to miss any bedtimes for the kiddos this year. So, although I'll leave in the middle of the night, it doesn't count against me since they'll be sleeping by then! Perhaps we'll cross paths on the 160k route. I'll be the guy on a blue Zank with red wheels, you'll see me from a mile away. John
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#11
08-13-2019, 03:28 PM
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Quote:
I'll be on the big white 44 Huntsman, also difficult to miss  As others have said, make sure you eat and drink enough on the overnight. It's easy to get behind on that. If you have the time, I think a nap at the D2R2 venue will be a very good idea. An hour or so will make a big difference. Hopefully I'll see you out there. Chris
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#13
08-13-2019, 10:24 PM
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Things I learned dabbling in this world (before having a kid):
As long as your stomach doesn't bother you, eating more calories and drinking more water than you think you need helps keep everything on the level. Eat real foods, including savory stuff and protein. Ensure or Slimfast is very helpful, IMO. Don't blow up. Make sure your bike is geared so you don't have to go in the red, ever. Working on your lactate threshold will pay the biggest dividends in training for this kind of thing. As in, shaving hours off how long it takes. Low rolling resistance tires and fast equipment are really helpful. Finding people who want to turn over a brisk but not suicidal pace is also extremely helpful. A draft can be make-or-break, particularly while everyone is fresh. Good luck! IMO, starting at night solo adds a lot of difficulty. The nervousness of riding in the dark on roads shared with car traffic, alone, would really fatigue me.
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#14
08-13-2019, 10:47 PM
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Cali guys should chime in
First double was SoCal
Grand Tour started ca. 1960 Second was Hemet Third Davis A pal of mine has ridden over 200 doubles! Smead here and Pete B have done many fixed doubles and tandem doubles—as have I Alas “only” 37 If you hydrate and eat, and can finish 100 strong— you can ride a double. Just find a rider or group that is near your level. AND go easy for first 50-70 miles, do NOT hammer or get carried away. Prepare for wild mood swings, and above all enjoy your self! No flats no crashes is a perfect ride But prepare for both! Enjoy mojo
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#15
08-13-2019, 11:23 PM
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CONSISTENT calories and hydration--its just like medicine.
The timer idea is sound advice. Add some electrolytes if its hot. Pace yourself early--off the front, off the back, off the bike. Service your machine. Charge your batteries. Rest well beforehand. Keep moving; the clock never stops. Vary your position and remember to relax. Maintain your friction zone. Enjoy the ride! Last edited by Peter B; 08-13-2019 at 11:25 PM.
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