Alastair_S1D Posted July 10, 2018 Posted July 10, 2018 So I want to do my first multi day stage race. I am thinking of entering the Lowveld tour which is a four day race around my old stomping ground in and around Hoedspruit. However I have the route profiles for all the stages and I am a bit nervous. 3 of the days have rides of 120km or more. With one big day of climbing up Able Arasmus pass to graskop. The thing is how do I know I am ready for a multi day race? I mean I am pretty fit. My most recent result was the 100 cycle challenge and I finished in 2:17:36. I often do weekend tides over 100kms. However shortly after the 100 challenge I was off the bike for 5 weeks from bronchitis. However I'm back on the the bike. Been at it about 3 weeks now. And with 5 weeks to go I want to know how I am ready. How do you guys know if you are ready to race a stage. Especially if it's your first?
'Dale Posted July 10, 2018 Posted July 10, 2018 Get your nutrition correct Enough for recovery And for energy Tricky Every individual has its own optimal plan Sterkte ????????♀️
Alastair_S1D Posted July 10, 2018 Author Posted July 10, 2018 Going to hit Suikerbosrand this weekend for training. Also going to be doing hill repeats up Sylvia's pass during my weekday rides.
FDP Posted July 10, 2018 Posted July 10, 2018 If you go in unfit for a 4 day race, you might be in pretty good shape on the last day!
TALUS Posted July 10, 2018 Posted July 10, 2018 Going to hit Suikerbosrand this weekend for training. Also going to be doing hill repeats up Sylvia's pass during my weekday rides.I have done many stage races and many SBR laps. I need some laps for the Race to the Sun. I will gladly ride with you on Saturday and /or Sunday to share whatever I can. Win Win. I am not fast. 2:20 to 2:15 laps but I am prepared to answer what I can.LET ME KNOWCheers
shaper Posted July 11, 2018 Posted July 11, 2018 jump I shall!Cool, you have plenty of distance under the belt, just don't overcook yourself on day 1. Pacing!! Day 2 may start off stiff and tight, but will soon warm up, Day 3 will feels stronger. Nutrition and eating on the bike as you would for any long ride. Post race, recovery food, protein and if there massages available worth having. Enjoy!
eddy Posted July 11, 2018 Posted July 11, 2018 I have done many stage races and many SBR laps. I need some laps for the Race to the Sun. I will gladly ride with you on Saturday and /or Sunday to share whatever I can. Win Win. I am not fast. 2:20 to 2:15 laps but I am prepared to answer what I can.LET ME KNOWCheers This is a great offer, take him up on it as he is an experienced stage rider racer and may know a bit about the science as well... One question about the SBR laps though: Are they "not fast" or 2:15 as these two statements are in direct contradiction....
Chingy182 Posted July 11, 2018 Posted July 11, 2018 I think the majority of us who enter stage races are physically ready, it's just a question of learning from experience, which you have none. My first stage race was a 2 day stage race in Stellenbosch in Feb...I pushed so hard on day 1 what with all the excitement and being amongst top international cyclists doing the same event.Needles to say I tanked so hard that afternoon after the stage, I hardly had the legs to make it back to the starting shoot the next morning. Use this event as a learning curve for yourself and pace yourself, keeping enough in the tank for the next day.
Eldron Posted July 11, 2018 Posted July 11, 2018 3 words: protein recovery drink :-) Also - take Talus up on his offer - tons of experience and knowledge in that man!
dave303e Posted July 11, 2018 Posted July 11, 2018 Just stop and say, how hard can it be?Worst case scenario you af**** and come out the other end stronger, which is also kinda best case scenario.Sometimes you just got to treat it like a postage stamp- give it a lick, send it and hope for the best...
Baracuda Posted July 11, 2018 Posted July 11, 2018 Others have mentioned it but try to manage yourself over the 4 days, especially in terms of recovery.Did Berg n Bush first time with no mechanic, no massages, washing clothes and driving to accommodation till late at night, no recovery drinks etc etc. Was a mission.Next one we hauled out the credit card, basic recovery drink, showers, then massage after coming in. Drop dirty bike off at basic mechanic. Spend rest of afternoon off the legs on a puff near the river. Eat a big lunch and dinner - tons of salad and protein. Get 9 hours of sleep.Orders of magnitude better than the first time.
@grootlem Posted July 11, 2018 Posted July 11, 2018 My first road stage races were nightmare stressing stuff, around the mud 80's.Those days the national selectors would select about 20 amateurs after the pro teams entered. Total field limited to 45.I was usually between number 30 and 40, so if the stuff hits the fan or you puncture with 100km to go, there were no bunces behind. And lining up as a young student with Alan van Heerden, Ertjies, McIntosc, Benekes, Willie Engelbrecht were intimidating and very hard. I just had to hang on for as long as i could, blow up, and crawl to the finish. You will be fine, try and take a long weekend off before the event where you ride far and long for 3 or 4 consecutive days. And eat, both on and off the bike, real food. (ok im old school, apologies also for my old memory stuff, just thinking back a bit)
Escapee.. Posted July 11, 2018 Posted July 11, 2018 I have done many stage races and many SBR laps. I need some laps for the Race to the Sun. I will gladly ride with you on Saturday and /or Sunday to share whatever I can. Win Win. I am not fast. 2:20 to 2:15 laps but I am prepared to answer what I can.LET ME KNOWCheers Machine Lekker offer this
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.