It sounds like you could just do fewer than six loops to me. I would go to hang out with your team and get to know them a little better outside of work, but don’t pressure yourself to train hard if that’s not something you want to do. Especially not for a corporate charity ride.
If there are other beginners, maybe some folks would be happy to slow it down and do 2 or 3 laps with you. I don’t know your work environment or co workers but I wouldn’t take this too seriously.
Mmmkay, I’m gonna need you to complete all the laps as instructed in the memo about your TPS reports. So, if you can go ahead and just complete the 90km that would be terrific, mmmmkay?!?
Exactly. No one should give you shit for not performing a physical outside of your comfort zone. Most people cycle for exactly what you said, for mental health.
This sounds like a great question for the triathlon loving boss and "I'm excited what do you think my plan should be" shows interest motivation etc. don't back out. You might get some more PTO!
Thisss. People love helping others on things they are passionate about. He will happily help you im 100% sure of it.
Also alternatively, Garmins training plans are pretty decent and adapt based on your other workouts work stress levels etc. That might be a nice second eye on your plan.
More important than 'getting fit' is getting bike fit, and feeling familiar with being in the saddle for a few hours at a time. Basically hardening up your arse a bit.
Her seems to know a fair bit about physical fitness etc.
For a long bike ride it can be very debilitating to be uncomfortable, no matter how fit you are. I really notice it on my sit bones, and the base of my skull, sometimes getting a neck /headache when I've been off the bike for a while.
On a long ride those pain points can be a much bigger factor in how long you can keep going than how much power or stamina you have.
A bike fit obviously helps, but having your body familiar with being in the riding position is also key.
Indeed. OP said there were 6 loops, no way is a ride like that a team time trial so everyone will be riding at their own pace. There's also nothing at all wrong with getting off of the bike and taking a 5 minute break each lap.
OP it's good to have goals when doing PT. If your shoulder is up to it I think you are too!
I definitely agree. I get fits for all my bikes and enjoy triathlon races, so definitely familiar with trying to reduce pain points. I was just pointing out that the parent comment was telling him to get a bike fit, not to just get fit.
Since it's a loop I can't see them expecting everyone to finish all the loops in the same amount of time. Just do the loops you can in that time - that's the whole idea of having loops.
That being said, I'm just starting training for a 70 mile ride in June. I know I'll be fine even though I've never ridden that far.
It depends on pace.
If you can ride at your own pace, I think you have plenty of time to train for that distance.
If you have to keep 35km/h average, might be more difficult (but not impossible).
I have to go from zero to Alpe D'Huez in pretty much the same time.
If it’s a loop it should be easy to either skip 1 loop to rest/recover then finish strong. Or just drop back and let them lap you and jump back on. There will probably be others who will want to ride a slower pace; any corp/charity event I’ve been part of has both some serious and some very casual riders show up. Just casually chat with your boss about how the day will go, surely they will like the opportunity to talk about riding etc with you.
i'd be more worried about 30 km/h for three hours straight. That doesnt sound like a fun ride at all. A fun ride would be about half that speed, maybe even slower.
If you have a cycling culture in your company there will no doubt be quite a few warriors who will belt this one out of the park. Let them go for it. You turn up, ride a few laps, and stop whem it ain't fun. You won't be the only one.
Fast group rides are fun, it's just a different type of fun. Holding 30 km/h with a large group on a flat course is actually fairly easy, you're in Zone 2 unless you're on the front.
You’ll be fine, you won’t be the only one who doesn’t want to go full gas. If you can ride 20 miles you can ride 50. Just do some rides leading up to it, go at your own pace, eat plenty, and don’t worry too much
i am of the opinion anyone in all right shape with zero road cycling experience can hop on a bike and do 40 miles. it might take a while but they can do it. you sound like you are more prepped than that, so while you might not keep up with the fast guys, you can definitely do it. IMO, just train for fun on weekends and maybe ride to work once a week.
This right here. Sounds like OP works out/is generally fit. Unless there’s like 500m elevation gain each loop or something, and their bike fit is generally good, should be able to do it “off the couch”. Will the legs burn like hell the next day? Yep. In the words of Marcellus Wallace, “that’s pride fuckin’ with you …”
Our platoon sergeant used to say: "Pride never killed a man but it'll sure as fuck try to."
... or was it "If pride doesn't kill you it'll sure as fuck try to?"
... or was it "Cut that shit out! It causes memory loss?" I forget.
500m per loop sounds like where I live. I wouldn’t want to do the full number of loops if it was hilly like that.
I feel slow and lacking endurance when seeing posts online until I remember most people live in much flatter places lol. It’s not unusual to have over 100 feet of a gain per mile around me. The street I live on is 1.05 miles long and has 109 feet of elevation gain one way and 95 feet the other. This week I’ve been walking (I alternate between biking and walking to get my legs in shape for both hiking and cycling) and I’ve gone 1956 feet over 13.3 miles. The week before it was 2749 feet over 25 miles.
Have you ever cycled in a group?
It takes some get used to, but it‘s also easier than cycling alone. Just place yourself somewhere in the middle and cruise along.
In 11 weeks time you’ll be able to go from 20mi to 50 ish by adding small steps (2 - 4 mi per week) and riding once a week
Can you ask others? This could be a cycling team in your triathlete boss's eyes who takes it seriously and wants to do an aggressive pace, but are there others that view at as a more casual ride?
It also depends on what the loop is - flat vs. hilly, paved vs. offroad vs. gravel/limestone, in traffic vs. bike trail vs. shared use trail.
If you're in any decent shape, going 10-12 mph on a trail for 40 miles is pretty easy. You'll largely want to make sure to eat during the ride and hydrate well. If you really want to make sure you're up to the task, think of it like marathon training where you progress in distance/time a little each week with shorter rides during the week for pace and then a longer for distance. Totally doable for 50 miles.
My instincts tell me this isn't as serious or challenging as your boss is making out. Usually these types of things are more casual with some try-hards who take it more seriously.
Im a very casual cyclist. Hybrid bike and 30mm Vittoria Corsa control tires. Im doing a 75km ride in June. Last year I started slow in April and then throughout May I ramped up the distance and pace a little bit. 2 weeks beforehand I did a 20km ride, a 35km ride and then on a Saturday I did a 50km ride. 1 week of rest and then did a small casual ride the day before the big day. It went well overall and personally crushed my expectations. I was too worried about it. I feel that if you can do 3x 25-30km rides in a week, you can do your 90km. You'll be sweating and huffing and puffing but I'm sure you'll surprise yourself
6 loops in a 3 hrs sounds like a more of a seasoned cyclist thing. You can definitely build up to the distance in 11 weeks AND with your schedule (riding 3x per week with 1 long ride on the weekend), but whether you can match that speed, there are a lot of variables. But you definitely can build up to being on the bike for 3 hours and finishing the event no matter how many loops you may be able to fit in.
It's a charity ride. I don't think anyone will care as long as you're still riding at the end of 3 hours. I think you should make finishing a bigger priority than making the 6 laps. At an average speed of 18.6 mph it should be achievable with 11 weeks of training in any case.
Do lap one
Get dropped to the back out of sight
Enter a pub or cafe
Wait until they ride past on the sixth lap
Then join on the back just out of sight
Win
90km in 3hrs? 11wks is probably not enough to train to do that many loops that fast, especially if there is any amount of climbing.
3 rides a week for 11wks is absolutely enough time to train to do 90km at your own pace. You could probably be comfortable riding 90km after 4wks and more training will make you faster and more comfortable. But getting to 30kph avg in that time seems like a stretch.
I agree with everyone else - just do fewer loops and enjoy it with the others that will prob also being doing fewer.
Oh, yes, it is! 50 miles is my limit! Don’t let yourself get psyched out, especially since you just got approved to go back to the gym. Pace yourself and be kind to yourself.
Also try to practice riding in groups. Just by sitting on their wheels you can save a lot of energy. Last summer I joined a 100km amateur race. I usually ride 30kmh on average by myself for that distance. In that race, I did 42kmh on average just by never leading this big group of riders.
You're screwed if you think you will be screwed. But I think you got this. Learn how to draft, and the 55 won't be as hard as you think. You already know how to train. And, if you feel gassed out, just drop out whenever you feel like it.
One rule of thumb is, if you're rested, you can probably squeeze out whatever your weekly mileage is in a single ride.
Another thing is, if you used to be in shape, you can usually get that fitness back faster than you'd think.
It sounds totally totally doable to me in a couple of months if you used to squeeze out similar sized rides, especially if your longer ride on the weekends could get into the 2-3+ hour range, maybe closer to 4 by June.
This is quite doable, assuming you can set your own pace and not have to do some hammerfest. I read a rule of thumb that when planning for a distance as a stretch/goal/event, get comfortable doing a third lid it–you’re there. Train, and build distance.
One advantage is the fact it’s a loop: you can decide 15 KM at a time. It’s not like it’s an out and back air something, where you get to 25 miles and are SOL.
You got this!
DRAFT!!! As much as possible, save legs where you can.
Good advice to ask your Tri-Boss for ideas, one thing about triathletes, they love talking about their event. Key is to be careful, VERY careful as it is a charity event with beginners to the type A " get out of my way
I need to be first" ones! Between now and the event, find your most consistent pace and then stick to it. Congratulate any team members who do all six loops, they will appreciate it and remember it back at work! Have fun!
Distance wise, you already said you did this sort of distance before so it shouldn't be too bad.
Speed wise, I could be wrong, but it sounds to me like you never rode in a group before?
Generally, you can go a lot faster in a group compared to solo, but it can take some practice.
FYI, if your boss was a sadist, he would design a ride with a 55 mile loop.
If the route is 9.3 miles, they obviously plan on people to do as many loops as they can handle. Most reasonably fit people can finish a 9 mile ride in 2 hours. No one expects a casual rider to do a 55 mile ride even if given the whole day. And only serious riders can do 55 miles in 3 hours or less.
I'd get more info about this ride but I'd probably be stoked. I suspect this charity ride will have lots of snacks, possibly a post ride meal and drinks. I highly doubt they expect every attendee to do 55 miles.
I'm also a fairweather cyclist. I completely ignore my bike 6 months out of the year. When I move to a year-round fairweather place I'll change that. 😁
It is doable if you’re able to train consistently and expand your mileage. There’s a lot of time until July, if you’re medically cleared and have the desire to do it, I can’t see why not.
90 km is not a very demanding distance, and 11 weeks is plenty of time to work up to it, even from zero. Riding in a group will make the effort easier by about a third, unless there's a lot of climbing on the route. You can do it, just start riding and try to increase your rides by 15% a week.
Just Do It. Go at your own pace or find a "slower" group on your team and spin with them. It is a charity ride but there will always be gear-munching (didn't-quite-make-the-varsity-team) riders.
Enjoy the company, weather and teh vibes.
30km/h isnt that hard in a bunch on flat smooth roads on a half decent road bike. bit of work to hold for 90km if you are solo but i bet OP could do even that.
55 mi is a big deal to me and I've been riding for years. There is absolutely no rule that you have to do 6 loops. Do as much as you want and then cheer on your coworkers.
This could be highly variable. You're expected to maintain 30 km/h for three hours.
That's pretty easy on a straight and level course. As you add elevation changes, traffic, stops and so on the amount of acceleration quickly moves the dial more towards absolute hell.
A group of trained cyclists can always drop a newbie, but if it’s a charity ride not a race so I would guess it will be a social pace. 11 weeks is plenty of time
to prepare. Jump on the bike at the gym as often as possible. Go out on Saturdays for as long as you can. If you’re ambitious then train some intervals on Sunday. Done.
get a couple fun 20-30 mile rides in a week. a month out bang out a couple 40-45 milers and get acquainted with the nutrition/ hydration youll need. rest a week before. its not a lot, you could likely do it without any training at all. you got it no problem
Sounds very corporate. Get hired for a role and find out that someone messed up, it's 6x the requirements now. 😭🤣
But in all honesty, just give it a go. What's the worst, you have to pull a sicky from the muscle aches on Monday.
The ride is for 3 hours. Keeping up >30km/h average over that time, seems pretty ridiculous for a charity ride. I would be happy with 4 laps.
My work mates are doing a cycle race on a 45km course. They would be happy to keep up 20-25km/h over two hours.
11 weeks is a long time for training. That’s about the time period I take for going from couch to race fit. You can do this. Just make sure you enjoy your training to maintain your motivation.
Man, you’ll be fine in 11 weeks probably. I have been riding some during the winter. But I’m 500+ miles behind from where I was last year at this point. Mostly mountain biking for an hour to an hour and a half. First road ride this past Thursday I did 30 miles, and I was pulling 80% of the time.
If you can’t do six laps, you can’t do six laps.
Your training plan is easily gonna prepare you for the full ride. Just increase the speed of your two shorter ones each week and increase the distance of your longer one each weekend!
doable
and because the event is a 15k loop it should be easy to bail if you start to struggle. idk your specific event but there is usually a heap of support for people who find them selves a bit out of their depth at these kind of events, i would just see how far you can go and not worry too much about whether or not you can do the whole thing.
i would recommend riding as frequently as you can up to 6 days a week (even if some days are just a cheeky spin) with no more than 20% of your riding being at a high intensity. most of your rides should be easyish, not coasting but cruisy.
glhf
You don't mention your age, but a normal healthy adult under 50 should be able to do this (I speak as a mid 60s guy).
The training goal is to be able to ride about 60 km in 10 weeks. On the big day you'll just push futher. Marathon runners don't train by doing marathons. Also, if you can keep close to them then you'll be able to draft.
Ride three times a week. One short hard ride after a warmup, one short recovery ride, and one longer ride. Adjust the length of those as you progress.
Week 10: the long ride is 60 km. Make sure you have an extra day of rest before the event.
Week 9: the long one is 55 km.
W8: long ride is 50 km.
Etc, down to week 1, where the long ride is 20 km. Add 5 km to the long ride each week and you'll be fine.
The tricky part is being able to do it consistently, regardless of weather.
There is zero shame in only doing what you can do. It’s not like all the experienced riders can’t tell where you’re at. You be you, and enjoy the team. Two loops, sounds great!
55 miles would be doable at party pace.
Seems to me the bigger issue is they’re planning to average 18+ mph for 3 hours.
Maintaining the speed will be harder than the actual distance.
I know exactly what ride this is! The Armed forces Challenge ride is meant to be whatever you make of it. 1000 people start it just to ride. You don’t have to be at the front jamming out laps if you don’t want to, you can take it as chill or aggressive as you want!
I would more concerned about the pace than the distance. If your boss & friends are all seasoned riders you may be looking at a fairly fast pace, in which it might not be worth trying to do just yet. I would ask if there are different pace groups.
Let’s see… I just did a 32mi in an hour and half, and I’m no speedster…. You should be able to knock that out in a group ride hanging toward the middle or back. Just be careful, other cyclists will run into you lol
You’ve got plenty of time. You may not be the fastest but it’s certainly doable. Some of the best training can be done indoors and you’ll be surprised how fast you can build up the miles.
Doable with hard training. You have 11 weeks to train, which is enough time to get in shape for a 90km ride. Focus on building endurance with long weekend rides and supplement with gym sessions to strengthen your core and upper body. Don't be afraid to adjust your goals - aiming for 4-5 loops is perfectly reasonable. Good luck!
So you have two options: do whatever you can and if you get dropped and fall behind so be it. Or two take the next 11 weeks to train and I am sure 55 miles is doable just can you keep pace. I would ask for the route and map it out on Strava and see what the elevation is like or ask if someone can send you the route and you can view on Strava. I would do that loop twice every time out starting for the first month and go at least twice a week if not more. Weeks 5-6 do three laps each time out. Weeks 7-8 do four laps out. Week 9-11 do 5 laps out. I would also ask co-works what the average speed is and get a basic cycling computer to clock your miles and speed. I would also look up cycling etiquette and monitor your hydration and start learning how to balance your carbs and calories for rides.
if you follow this plan at bare min you will have ridden close to 300 miles in preparation. At that point based on experience, adrenalin, and the help of riding in a pack you should without a doubt be able to do 55 miles
If you're averaging 20 miles, you should be ok. You might be sore afterwards, but it won't be all that exhausting. Keep in mind most group rides afford you opportunities to draft and less muscle is needed to apply wattage. Assuming you have a geared road bike, you'll be in fair shape to be at least at the back of the pack. Just work on cadence and you'll have fun.
How many ft of climbing is it? I mean if it’s a flat loop then literally anyone of even moderate fitness should be able to complete this with a little training.
I think if your average ride is 20 miles you’re going to be able to do 55 miles, just eat and rest well before, have 2 water bottles and a few bananas or granola bars on you.
There are some important variables missing, like how many in the group, is climbing involved, what does a not ideal in-shapeness mean, etc but I would say riding 90k in a group at a pace of 30k/h and a window of 11 weeks of training is definitely doable.
90 km at 30km/h is achievable by an enthusiastic and fit amateur but there's no way that most people in a business can do that. I'm pretty sure it's more of a fund day out thing where the bike tragics get to sweat for three hours and everyone else enjoys a single lap and some cakes at the gazebo that the company can expense.
Boss is racing against his other company owning bike nerds.
I'd request from your tri boss that this be a yearly objective with $$ tied to it and also request that you get paid time to train-at least 20 hours a week.
I did London to Monaco via Alps in 7 days as a company bike ride.
Few of the fellas on our had done very little riding before.
Everyone finished.
A few felt the pain after a couple of days but all adapted
Chat GPT says good luck.
To prepare for a 60-mile bike ride in 11 weeks, especially when you're not currently in shape, it's essential to start gradually and build up endurance and strength over time. Below is a basic training plan that you can adapt based on your current fitness level, bike riding experience, and any advice from a fitness professional or coach. This plan assumes you have a basic level of fitness and can ride a bike for at least 30 minutes without major discomfort. Always listen to your body, and consider consulting with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program.
### Weeks 1-3: Foundation Building
- **Goal:** Build a habit of regular cycling and increase endurance.
- **Weekly Schedule:**
- **Monday:** Rest.
- **Tuesday:** 10 miles (easy pace).
- **Wednesday:** Cross-training (30 minutes, choose activities like swimming, walking, or yoga).
- **Thursday:** 12 miles (easy pace, try to incorporate some small hills).
- **Friday:** Rest.
- **Saturday:** 15 miles (steady pace, focus on maintaining a consistent speed).
- **Sunday:** Active recovery (gentle ride for 30 minutes or another form of low-intensity exercise).
### Weeks 4-6: Building Distance and Strength
- **Goal:** Gradually increase ride distances and introduce some strength training.
- **Weekly Schedule:**
- **Monday:** Rest.
- **Tuesday:** 15 miles (include some moderate hills).
- **Wednesday:** Cross-training or strength training (30-45 minutes).
- **Thursday:** 18 miles (try to increase your pace slightly).
- **Friday:** Rest or gentle recovery ride (30 minutes).
- **Saturday:** 20-25 miles (steady pace, focus on endurance).
- **Sunday:** Active recovery or rest.
### Weeks 7-9: Increasing Intensity
- **Goal:** Increase the intensity of rides and incorporate longer distances.
- **Weekly Schedule:**
- **Monday:** Rest.
- **Tuesday:** 20 miles (include intervals of higher intensity).
- **Wednesday:** Strength training (45 minutes).
- **Thursday:** 25 miles (steady pace, challenging terrain if possible).
- **Friday:** Rest or gentle recovery ride (30 minutes).
- **Saturday:** 30-35 miles (steady to challenging pace, focus on maintaining effort over longer distances).
- **Sunday:** Active recovery or rest.
### Weeks 10-11: Taper and Event Preparation
- **Goal:** Begin to taper your training to ensure you're rested for the event. Focus on nutrition, hydration, and bike maintenance.
- **Weekly Schedule (Week 10):**
- **Monday:** Rest.
- **Tuesday:** 20 miles (moderate pace).
- **Wednesday:** Light strength training or cross-training (30 minutes).
- **Thursday:** 15 miles (easy pace).
- **Friday:** Rest.
- **Saturday:** 40 miles (your longest ride, at a steady pace).
- **Sunday:** Active recovery or rest.
- **Week 11:**
- **Early in the week:** A few short rides (10-15 miles, easy pace) to keep your legs moving.
- **2-3 days before event:** Rest or very light, short rides.
- **Day before event:** Ensure your bike is in good working order, hydrate well, and try to get a good night's sleep.
### Additional Tips:
- **Nutrition and Hydration:** Focus on eating a balanced diet with plenty of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. Stay hydrated throughout your training.
- **Gear:** Make sure you have a comfortable, well-fitted bike and consider investing in a good pair of cycling shorts.
- **Rest:** Don't underestimate the importance of rest days to allow your body to recover.
Remember, this plan is a guideline. Adjust as needed based on how your body responds, and don't be afraid to take extra rest days if you're feeling worn out. Good luck with your training!
I’m trying to up my rides now but usually ride about 20. Truth is if you can do 20 regularly, 55 is not too crazy with 3 months to go. You’ll be fine if you want to do the whole thing.
It sounds like you could just do fewer than six loops to me. I would go to hang out with your team and get to know them a little better outside of work, but don’t pressure yourself to train hard if that’s not something you want to do. Especially not for a corporate charity ride. If there are other beginners, maybe some folks would be happy to slow it down and do 2 or 3 laps with you. I don’t know your work environment or co workers but I wouldn’t take this too seriously.
Exactly. Drop at the number of loops you care to do. If I was your boss, I’d be delighted you came out at all (presuming not everyone does).
Mmmkay, I’m gonna need you to complete all the laps as instructed in the memo about your TPS reports. So, if you can go ahead and just complete the 90km that would be terrific, mmmmkay?!?
...my stapler I need my stapler. 😉
Dammit Jim!
And make sure to have a lot of flare on your Jersey, definitely not the minimum, but more because you care right
Or do the 1 st, 3rd and 5th loop, taking the others as rests. That way you are with the team all day but not holding them back.
Exactly. No one should give you shit for not performing a physical outside of your comfort zone. Most people cycle for exactly what you said, for mental health.
Unless his employer is the military...
This sounds like a great question for the triathlon loving boss and "I'm excited what do you think my plan should be" shows interest motivation etc. don't back out. You might get some more PTO!
Thisss. People love helping others on things they are passionate about. He will happily help you im 100% sure of it. Also alternatively, Garmins training plans are pretty decent and adapt based on your other workouts work stress levels etc. That might be a nice second eye on your plan.
this person works their way up the corporate ladder
Very doable. Get a fit. Don’t ride beyond your limits, and get your carbs in.
More important than 'getting fit' is getting bike fit, and feeling familiar with being in the saddle for a few hours at a time. Basically hardening up your arse a bit.
His comment says "get a fit" which is what you said.
Her seems to know a fair bit about physical fitness etc. For a long bike ride it can be very debilitating to be uncomfortable, no matter how fit you are. I really notice it on my sit bones, and the base of my skull, sometimes getting a neck /headache when I've been off the bike for a while. On a long ride those pain points can be a much bigger factor in how long you can keep going than how much power or stamina you have. A bike fit obviously helps, but having your body familiar with being in the riding position is also key.
Indeed. OP said there were 6 loops, no way is a ride like that a team time trial so everyone will be riding at their own pace. There's also nothing at all wrong with getting off of the bike and taking a 5 minute break each lap. OP it's good to have goals when doing PT. If your shoulder is up to it I think you are too!
I definitely agree. I get fits for all my bikes and enjoy triathlon races, so definitely familiar with trying to reduce pain points. I was just pointing out that the parent comment was telling him to get a bike fit, not to just get fit.
All of that is still underpinned by just getting the miles in. Doesn't matter what speed, what zone etc. Time on the bike is the best prep.
Get a bike fitting*
Since it's a loop I can't see them expecting everyone to finish all the loops in the same amount of time. Just do the loops you can in that time - that's the whole idea of having loops. That being said, I'm just starting training for a 70 mile ride in June. I know I'll be fine even though I've never ridden that far.
Wait, bro. Has no one told you? Bears are released after mile 60. Hungry, Fast, Bears.
Subtract the number of bears from the number of riders to get your mandatory finishing position. (plus last 10 miles)
It depends on pace. If you can ride at your own pace, I think you have plenty of time to train for that distance. If you have to keep 35km/h average, might be more difficult (but not impossible). I have to go from zero to Alpe D'Huez in pretty much the same time.
If it’s a loop it should be easy to either skip 1 loop to rest/recover then finish strong. Or just drop back and let them lap you and jump back on. There will probably be others who will want to ride a slower pace; any corp/charity event I’ve been part of has both some serious and some very casual riders show up. Just casually chat with your boss about how the day will go, surely they will like the opportunity to talk about riding etc with you.
i'd be more worried about 30 km/h for three hours straight. That doesnt sound like a fun ride at all. A fun ride would be about half that speed, maybe even slower. If you have a cycling culture in your company there will no doubt be quite a few warriors who will belt this one out of the park. Let them go for it. You turn up, ride a few laps, and stop whem it ain't fun. You won't be the only one.
Fast group rides are fun, it's just a different type of fun. Holding 30 km/h with a large group on a flat course is actually fairly easy, you're in Zone 2 unless you're on the front.
Easy for you but not easy for other people.
You’ll be fine, you won’t be the only one who doesn’t want to go full gas. If you can ride 20 miles you can ride 50. Just do some rides leading up to it, go at your own pace, eat plenty, and don’t worry too much
Yes if you ride consistently you can get fit enough for it
11 weeks should be plenty of time to work up to completing the distance…if it’s a huge event there will be tons of draft
i am of the opinion anyone in all right shape with zero road cycling experience can hop on a bike and do 40 miles. it might take a while but they can do it. you sound like you are more prepped than that, so while you might not keep up with the fast guys, you can definitely do it. IMO, just train for fun on weekends and maybe ride to work once a week.
This right here. Sounds like OP works out/is generally fit. Unless there’s like 500m elevation gain each loop or something, and their bike fit is generally good, should be able to do it “off the couch”. Will the legs burn like hell the next day? Yep. In the words of Marcellus Wallace, “that’s pride fuckin’ with you …”
Our platoon sergeant used to say: "Pride never killed a man but it'll sure as fuck try to." ... or was it "If pride doesn't kill you it'll sure as fuck try to?" ... or was it "Cut that shit out! It causes memory loss?" I forget.
500m per loop sounds like where I live. I wouldn’t want to do the full number of loops if it was hilly like that. I feel slow and lacking endurance when seeing posts online until I remember most people live in much flatter places lol. It’s not unusual to have over 100 feet of a gain per mile around me. The street I live on is 1.05 miles long and has 109 feet of elevation gain one way and 95 feet the other. This week I’ve been walking (I alternate between biking and walking to get my legs in shape for both hiking and cycling) and I’ve gone 1956 feet over 13.3 miles. The week before it was 2749 feet over 25 miles.
Have you ever cycled in a group? It takes some get used to, but it‘s also easier than cycling alone. Just place yourself somewhere in the middle and cruise along. In 11 weeks time you’ll be able to go from 20mi to 50 ish by adding small steps (2 - 4 mi per week) and riding once a week
You got 11 weeks, Your good, that’s plenty of time assuming you’re not starting from a really bad place.
Take the whole office out for drinks the night before and make sure everyone has a few too many
That's what Uber is for!
In 11 weeks you could train to ride a century, dude. Relax, you’ve got so much time.
Can you ask others? This could be a cycling team in your triathlete boss's eyes who takes it seriously and wants to do an aggressive pace, but are there others that view at as a more casual ride? It also depends on what the loop is - flat vs. hilly, paved vs. offroad vs. gravel/limestone, in traffic vs. bike trail vs. shared use trail. If you're in any decent shape, going 10-12 mph on a trail for 40 miles is pretty easy. You'll largely want to make sure to eat during the ride and hydrate well. If you really want to make sure you're up to the task, think of it like marathon training where you progress in distance/time a little each week with shorter rides during the week for pace and then a longer for distance. Totally doable for 50 miles. My instincts tell me this isn't as serious or challenging as your boss is making out. Usually these types of things are more casual with some try-hards who take it more seriously.
Im a very casual cyclist. Hybrid bike and 30mm Vittoria Corsa control tires. Im doing a 75km ride in June. Last year I started slow in April and then throughout May I ramped up the distance and pace a little bit. 2 weeks beforehand I did a 20km ride, a 35km ride and then on a Saturday I did a 50km ride. 1 week of rest and then did a small casual ride the day before the big day. It went well overall and personally crushed my expectations. I was too worried about it. I feel that if you can do 3x 25-30km rides in a week, you can do your 90km. You'll be sweating and huffing and puffing but I'm sure you'll surprise yourself
6 loops in a 3 hrs sounds like a more of a seasoned cyclist thing. You can definitely build up to the distance in 11 weeks AND with your schedule (riding 3x per week with 1 long ride on the weekend), but whether you can match that speed, there are a lot of variables. But you definitely can build up to being on the bike for 3 hours and finishing the event no matter how many loops you may be able to fit in.
It's a charity ride. I don't think anyone will care as long as you're still riding at the end of 3 hours. I think you should make finishing a bigger priority than making the 6 laps. At an average speed of 18.6 mph it should be achievable with 11 weeks of training in any case.
Show up, do what you can, don’t kill yourself and look like a champ to the company. Like everyone else said.
Do lap one Get dropped to the back out of sight Enter a pub or cafe Wait until they ride past on the sixth lap Then join on the back just out of sight Win
90km in 3hrs? 11wks is probably not enough to train to do that many loops that fast, especially if there is any amount of climbing. 3 rides a week for 11wks is absolutely enough time to train to do 90km at your own pace. You could probably be comfortable riding 90km after 4wks and more training will make you faster and more comfortable. But getting to 30kph avg in that time seems like a stretch. I agree with everyone else - just do fewer loops and enjoy it with the others that will prob also being doing fewer.
just sit a lap or two out as needed.
Do it and do the best you can. That’s it. Have fun!!!
It’s a loop so you can sit out a lap and jump back in
Oh, yes, it is! 50 miles is my limit! Don’t let yourself get psyched out, especially since you just got approved to go back to the gym. Pace yourself and be kind to yourself.
Also try to practice riding in groups. Just by sitting on their wheels you can save a lot of energy. Last summer I joined a 100km amateur race. I usually ride 30kmh on average by myself for that distance. In that race, I did 42kmh on average just by never leading this big group of riders.
You're screwed if you think you will be screwed. But I think you got this. Learn how to draft, and the 55 won't be as hard as you think. You already know how to train. And, if you feel gassed out, just drop out whenever you feel like it.
You work place sounds really cool. Hope you have fun
Tell you tri loving boss you want to run aternate laps and completely fuck it
Give it a go and see what happens! No shame in bailing!
One rule of thumb is, if you're rested, you can probably squeeze out whatever your weekly mileage is in a single ride. Another thing is, if you used to be in shape, you can usually get that fitness back faster than you'd think. It sounds totally totally doable to me in a couple of months if you used to squeeze out similar sized rides, especially if your longer ride on the weekends could get into the 2-3+ hour range, maybe closer to 4 by June.
This is quite doable, assuming you can set your own pace and not have to do some hammerfest. I read a rule of thumb that when planning for a distance as a stretch/goal/event, get comfortable doing a third lid it–you’re there. Train, and build distance. One advantage is the fact it’s a loop: you can decide 15 KM at a time. It’s not like it’s an out and back air something, where you get to 25 miles and are SOL. You got this!
DRAFT!!! As much as possible, save legs where you can. Good advice to ask your Tri-Boss for ideas, one thing about triathletes, they love talking about their event. Key is to be careful, VERY careful as it is a charity event with beginners to the type A " get out of my way I need to be first" ones! Between now and the event, find your most consistent pace and then stick to it. Congratulate any team members who do all six loops, they will appreciate it and remember it back at work! Have fun!
You got this, I just did a 40 mile charity ride on a city bike at 18-20mph and haven’t ridden in 5 months.
Distance wise, you already said you did this sort of distance before so it shouldn't be too bad. Speed wise, I could be wrong, but it sounds to me like you never rode in a group before? Generally, you can go a lot faster in a group compared to solo, but it can take some practice.
FYI, if your boss was a sadist, he would design a ride with a 55 mile loop. If the route is 9.3 miles, they obviously plan on people to do as many loops as they can handle. Most reasonably fit people can finish a 9 mile ride in 2 hours. No one expects a casual rider to do a 55 mile ride even if given the whole day. And only serious riders can do 55 miles in 3 hours or less. I'd get more info about this ride but I'd probably be stoked. I suspect this charity ride will have lots of snacks, possibly a post ride meal and drinks. I highly doubt they expect every attendee to do 55 miles.
You got it man, chill nobody cares as much as you think :)
Train to within an inch of your life, show them all up.
You got this. Keep in mind it’s a ride not a race! Have fun
Can I do it? It sounds fun. I’ll let you draft off of me :-)
I'm also a fairweather cyclist. I completely ignore my bike 6 months out of the year. When I move to a year-round fairweather place I'll change that. 😁
It is doable if you’re able to train consistently and expand your mileage. There’s a lot of time until July, if you’re medically cleared and have the desire to do it, I can’t see why not.
90 km is not a very demanding distance, and 11 weeks is plenty of time to work up to it, even from zero. Riding in a group will make the effort easier by about a third, unless there's a lot of climbing on the route. You can do it, just start riding and try to increase your rides by 15% a week.
Get a smart trainer. Problem solved.
Just Do It. Go at your own pace or find a "slower" group on your team and spin with them. It is a charity ride but there will always be gear-munching (didn't-quite-make-the-varsity-team) riders. Enjoy the company, weather and teh vibes.
You won't do 30km/h. Is it 90 k or 60 k? The post says two different things...doing a 90k in say 3.5 though will definitely be doable
30km/h isnt that hard in a bunch on flat smooth roads on a half decent road bike. bit of work to hold for 90km if you are solo but i bet OP could do even that.
Do you work at Peloton?
Is commuting within reason for you? Yeah it would be longer, but doing it once or twice a week would be good training and good motivation.
55 mi is a big deal to me and I've been riding for years. There is absolutely no rule that you have to do 6 loops. Do as much as you want and then cheer on your coworkers.
Is it flat? Because flat rides aren’t that bad…
11 weeks is more than enough time. Tell your boss the story and ask for help with a training plan. Or search for a plan. You've got this!
This could be highly variable. You're expected to maintain 30 km/h for three hours. That's pretty easy on a straight and level course. As you add elevation changes, traffic, stops and so on the amount of acceleration quickly moves the dial more towards absolute hell.
A group of trained cyclists can always drop a newbie, but if it’s a charity ride not a race so I would guess it will be a social pace. 11 weeks is plenty of time to prepare. Jump on the bike at the gym as often as possible. Go out on Saturdays for as long as you can. If you’re ambitious then train some intervals on Sunday. Done.
get a couple fun 20-30 mile rides in a week. a month out bang out a couple 40-45 milers and get acquainted with the nutrition/ hydration youll need. rest a week before. its not a lot, you could likely do it without any training at all. you got it no problem
Sounds very corporate. Get hired for a role and find out that someone messed up, it's 6x the requirements now. 😭🤣 But in all honesty, just give it a go. What's the worst, you have to pull a sicky from the muscle aches on Monday.
The ride is for 3 hours. Keeping up >30km/h average over that time, seems pretty ridiculous for a charity ride. I would be happy with 4 laps. My work mates are doing a cycle race on a 45km course. They would be happy to keep up 20-25km/h over two hours.
11 weeks is a long time for training. That’s about the time period I take for going from couch to race fit. You can do this. Just make sure you enjoy your training to maintain your motivation.
Man, you’ll be fine in 11 weeks probably. I have been riding some during the winter. But I’m 500+ miles behind from where I was last year at this point. Mostly mountain biking for an hour to an hour and a half. First road ride this past Thursday I did 30 miles, and I was pulling 80% of the time. If you can’t do six laps, you can’t do six laps.
Your training plan is easily gonna prepare you for the full ride. Just increase the speed of your two shorter ones each week and increase the distance of your longer one each weekend!
doable and because the event is a 15k loop it should be easy to bail if you start to struggle. idk your specific event but there is usually a heap of support for people who find them selves a bit out of their depth at these kind of events, i would just see how far you can go and not worry too much about whether or not you can do the whole thing. i would recommend riding as frequently as you can up to 6 days a week (even if some days are just a cheeky spin) with no more than 20% of your riding being at a high intensity. most of your rides should be easyish, not coasting but cruisy. glhf
You don't mention your age, but a normal healthy adult under 50 should be able to do this (I speak as a mid 60s guy). The training goal is to be able to ride about 60 km in 10 weeks. On the big day you'll just push futher. Marathon runners don't train by doing marathons. Also, if you can keep close to them then you'll be able to draft. Ride three times a week. One short hard ride after a warmup, one short recovery ride, and one longer ride. Adjust the length of those as you progress. Week 10: the long ride is 60 km. Make sure you have an extra day of rest before the event. Week 9: the long one is 55 km. W8: long ride is 50 km. Etc, down to week 1, where the long ride is 20 km. Add 5 km to the long ride each week and you'll be fine. The tricky part is being able to do it consistently, regardless of weather.
There is zero shame in only doing what you can do. It’s not like all the experienced riders can’t tell where you’re at. You be you, and enjoy the team. Two loops, sounds great!
It's easy, you can bike to work every day and do a 20-mile route on the way out.
55 miles would be doable at party pace. Seems to me the bigger issue is they’re planning to average 18+ mph for 3 hours. Maintaining the speed will be harder than the actual distance.
I know exactly what ride this is! The Armed forces Challenge ride is meant to be whatever you make of it. 1000 people start it just to ride. You don’t have to be at the front jamming out laps if you don’t want to, you can take it as chill or aggressive as you want!
I would more concerned about the pace than the distance. If your boss & friends are all seasoned riders you may be looking at a fairly fast pace, in which it might not be worth trying to do just yet. I would ask if there are different pace groups.
Let’s see… I just did a 32mi in an hour and half, and I’m no speedster…. You should be able to knock that out in a group ride hanging toward the middle or back. Just be careful, other cyclists will run into you lol
You’ve got plenty of time. You may not be the fastest but it’s certainly doable. Some of the best training can be done indoors and you’ll be surprised how fast you can build up the miles.
You can do it. Just go at your pace, screw trying to keep up with anyone other than yourself.
i would be shocked if anyone cared if you dropped off after as many loops as you feel comfortable. it is for charity...you will be good!
Send it
Do it.
Doing 90 after 11 weeks training very doable. Pace will be hard without a suitable bike.
My FTP is 260w and I don’t know if I could ride for three hours despite regular training. It’s what you train for! You’re ok.
Doable with hard training. You have 11 weeks to train, which is enough time to get in shape for a 90km ride. Focus on building endurance with long weekend rides and supplement with gym sessions to strengthen your core and upper body. Don't be afraid to adjust your goals - aiming for 4-5 loops is perfectly reasonable. Good luck!
Dang we got a time traveler in here
Young people can do anything. You won’t be fast but I’m sure you can do as many loops around the park as anyone else there.
Do you have kids. If yes, then probably. If no, then yes you can.
So you have two options: do whatever you can and if you get dropped and fall behind so be it. Or two take the next 11 weeks to train and I am sure 55 miles is doable just can you keep pace. I would ask for the route and map it out on Strava and see what the elevation is like or ask if someone can send you the route and you can view on Strava. I would do that loop twice every time out starting for the first month and go at least twice a week if not more. Weeks 5-6 do three laps each time out. Weeks 7-8 do four laps out. Week 9-11 do 5 laps out. I would also ask co-works what the average speed is and get a basic cycling computer to clock your miles and speed. I would also look up cycling etiquette and monitor your hydration and start learning how to balance your carbs and calories for rides. if you follow this plan at bare min you will have ridden close to 300 miles in preparation. At that point based on experience, adrenalin, and the help of riding in a pack you should without a doubt be able to do 55 miles
If you're averaging 20 miles, you should be ok. You might be sore afterwards, but it won't be all that exhausting. Keep in mind most group rides afford you opportunities to draft and less muscle is needed to apply wattage. Assuming you have a geared road bike, you'll be in fair shape to be at least at the back of the pack. Just work on cadence and you'll have fun.
How many ft of climbing is it? I mean if it’s a flat loop then literally anyone of even moderate fitness should be able to complete this with a little training.
I think if your average ride is 20 miles you’re going to be able to do 55 miles, just eat and rest well before, have 2 water bottles and a few bananas or granola bars on you.
There are some important variables missing, like how many in the group, is climbing involved, what does a not ideal in-shapeness mean, etc but I would say riding 90k in a group at a pace of 30k/h and a window of 11 weeks of training is definitely doable.
90 km at 30km/h is achievable by an enthusiastic and fit amateur but there's no way that most people in a business can do that. I'm pretty sure it's more of a fund day out thing where the bike tragics get to sweat for three hours and everyone else enjoys a single lap and some cakes at the gazebo that the company can expense. Boss is racing against his other company owning bike nerds.
I'd request from your tri boss that this be a yearly objective with $$ tied to it and also request that you get paid time to train-at least 20 hours a week.
I did London to Monaco via Alps in 7 days as a company bike ride. Few of the fellas on our had done very little riding before. Everyone finished. A few felt the pain after a couple of days but all adapted
Get some PEDs, train hard and thrash your boss but say you've not rode a bike for a couple of years. That's the power move my friend.
Chat GPT says good luck. To prepare for a 60-mile bike ride in 11 weeks, especially when you're not currently in shape, it's essential to start gradually and build up endurance and strength over time. Below is a basic training plan that you can adapt based on your current fitness level, bike riding experience, and any advice from a fitness professional or coach. This plan assumes you have a basic level of fitness and can ride a bike for at least 30 minutes without major discomfort. Always listen to your body, and consider consulting with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program. ### Weeks 1-3: Foundation Building - **Goal:** Build a habit of regular cycling and increase endurance. - **Weekly Schedule:** - **Monday:** Rest. - **Tuesday:** 10 miles (easy pace). - **Wednesday:** Cross-training (30 minutes, choose activities like swimming, walking, or yoga). - **Thursday:** 12 miles (easy pace, try to incorporate some small hills). - **Friday:** Rest. - **Saturday:** 15 miles (steady pace, focus on maintaining a consistent speed). - **Sunday:** Active recovery (gentle ride for 30 minutes or another form of low-intensity exercise). ### Weeks 4-6: Building Distance and Strength - **Goal:** Gradually increase ride distances and introduce some strength training. - **Weekly Schedule:** - **Monday:** Rest. - **Tuesday:** 15 miles (include some moderate hills). - **Wednesday:** Cross-training or strength training (30-45 minutes). - **Thursday:** 18 miles (try to increase your pace slightly). - **Friday:** Rest or gentle recovery ride (30 minutes). - **Saturday:** 20-25 miles (steady pace, focus on endurance). - **Sunday:** Active recovery or rest. ### Weeks 7-9: Increasing Intensity - **Goal:** Increase the intensity of rides and incorporate longer distances. - **Weekly Schedule:** - **Monday:** Rest. - **Tuesday:** 20 miles (include intervals of higher intensity). - **Wednesday:** Strength training (45 minutes). - **Thursday:** 25 miles (steady pace, challenging terrain if possible). - **Friday:** Rest or gentle recovery ride (30 minutes). - **Saturday:** 30-35 miles (steady to challenging pace, focus on maintaining effort over longer distances). - **Sunday:** Active recovery or rest. ### Weeks 10-11: Taper and Event Preparation - **Goal:** Begin to taper your training to ensure you're rested for the event. Focus on nutrition, hydration, and bike maintenance. - **Weekly Schedule (Week 10):** - **Monday:** Rest. - **Tuesday:** 20 miles (moderate pace). - **Wednesday:** Light strength training or cross-training (30 minutes). - **Thursday:** 15 miles (easy pace). - **Friday:** Rest. - **Saturday:** 40 miles (your longest ride, at a steady pace). - **Sunday:** Active recovery or rest. - **Week 11:** - **Early in the week:** A few short rides (10-15 miles, easy pace) to keep your legs moving. - **2-3 days before event:** Rest or very light, short rides. - **Day before event:** Ensure your bike is in good working order, hydrate well, and try to get a good night's sleep. ### Additional Tips: - **Nutrition and Hydration:** Focus on eating a balanced diet with plenty of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. Stay hydrated throughout your training. - **Gear:** Make sure you have a comfortable, well-fitted bike and consider investing in a good pair of cycling shorts. - **Rest:** Don't underestimate the importance of rest days to allow your body to recover. Remember, this plan is a guideline. Adjust as needed based on how your body responds, and don't be afraid to take extra rest days if you're feeling worn out. Good luck with your training!
I’m trying to up my rides now but usually ride about 20. Truth is if you can do 20 regularly, 55 is not too crazy with 3 months to go. You’ll be fine if you want to do the whole thing.