Hill2Hill training advice please - long rides etc..

[Dustbug]

Hi

some advice please guys, Im using the cadence guide on the hill2hill site for my training as a guide, Im doing on average 10 to 12hrs a week about 220kms with an average of 2600 to 3200m of climbing with one weekday hill session of 800 to 900m climbing and the balance on weekend training rides and at the moment am up to 2 x 4hr weekend rides, I have one full day and a half recovery and do core work 2 x week with stretching after all rides. Ive also lost 6kgs so far.

 

At what point should one build up to the very long training ride/s and how long before the race should one back off the long training rides and is there a point one should stop loosing weight and stabalise before the race.

 

any help would be appreciated Im 52, 90kgs and a novice at this distance.

[rob7x]

In my opinion you are doing enough. I did 6 - 8 hours training a week for joberg2c starting 3 months before was it was enough to ride without suffering. My long weekend rides were 2 - 3 hours and the occasional long race of 5 - 6 hours (Sabie and Barberton). But I did have a base, so although my hours were low, I was doing a lot more interval training and many hill repeats.

 

Well done on loosing 6kgs so far! Keep it up! If you are eating healthily and "enough" and not feeling tired and drained, but still loosing weight then keep going and try loose more even before the race.

[Mr SingleTrack]

Make sure you train overthe middle of the day so that you get used to the heat. It gets VERY hot in that area. At last year's H2H we recorded over 40 degrees! Also, do a lot of hill repeats!

 

Regarding your bike, make sure you have good stopping power, you'll need it going down some of those hills.

 

That being said, H2H is AWESOME!!! Just make sure you pace yourself. People bomb the first 30km (which is mostly downhill) and then fail to complete the race.

[Madmac]

I have to agree with the above advise. Perhaps use the next 2 weekends or weekdays if you have some time to get in some midday rides to prepare you for the heat. Also, start slow and find a nice rhythm, H2H allows you to do that and the hard part of the race starts from Bartletts hill at 70km and then the Arc, only because you have covered a lot of distance and the heat has set in (if it's a hot day ofcourse) so pace yourself and you will enjoy it. Most of all, have fun!!

[Bat-ass]

you doing plenty. just taper down for the last 2-3 weeks and dont start the race too fast

[Dustbug]

Many thanks everyone for the help. Ive been doing most of my longer rides into the early afternoon so hopefully will be fine.