Trans Baviaans training

[slabs]

Anyone out there with a training program for an event like this? 230km's in a single go. I am really interested in seeing how the last 2-3 months of training would look like.

[ASTANA]

don't have a program, did it last year but no idea how to spread out the training. I'm a roadie so try and train hard all the time. During the winter and 2 months or so it will be good to get some km into your legs, slow but far.

 

The power can come from road cycling and the indurance can come from long mtbing trips.

 

 

[slabs]

Thanks, how was the race and was it well organised? From a nutritional point of view did you have to take most of it yourself or were there well manned stops to refuel?

[Dirt*girl™]

Little bird told me that they will be posting a Trans Baviaans training program on their website soon..<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Dirt*girl2009-03-09 04:05:43

[Velouria]

Long rides - if you can do a 6 and a 4 hour ride on weekends, and some high intensity during the week, you'll be fine. Get used to riding at a steady pace for hours on end.

 

The stops are getting better, but I would suggest that you take your own stuff - they do ferry in your supplies for each stop on the back of a truck.

 

Also - expect the worst from the weather - this is the real challenge, not the distance.Foul weather can make this race a lot tougher.

 

[ASTANA]

Thanks' date=' how was the race and was it well organised? From a nutritional point of view did you have to take most of it yourself or were there well manned stops to refuel?[/quote']

 

This is a great race man. Was well Organized and the people were very helful ect. Bring your own GU type of stuff and some snacks along the way. They give you your 4 bags that you can fill with whatever you want on that spesific check point.

 

We ended up with way too much food and most of it came back with the pickup trucks after the race.

 

Prepare for very cold weather - this includes rain, wind and rising rivers. Most of the ride is very easy, just the time and distance that get to you.

 

We did it in 16H flat - with a partner who is not a cyclist - but a on of MTB biker. We did really good with minimal training.

 

Would be good (like mentioned) to do long steady pace riding in weekends and do some hill training and intensive stuff during the week.

 

This year I will do my weeks training on my Road bike and weekends a long road and a long MTB - will put in some hilltraining on the MTB during the week - if the weather is to bad for road cycling.

 

LIke I said - I'm doing it again this year, with more serious team and were aming for sub 13H or something.

 

Try and time your breaks at the checkpoints for 1. for 2 = ride your own pace form the start - with everyone going at it from the gun, one is tempted to follow and then break your self from the start.

 

Rather finish stronger...

 

Good luck with the training - hope all goes well up till then

[No Name]

I think this year is going to be BAD weather.  The last 2 years the weather was awesome.  I had the same feeling 3 years back when we did it, and we had rain, mud and wind.  Ahhh... the good old days.

[Brighter-Lights]

By the time it's 3 months from TB, I'm already in good shape from a good base and nearing race phase.  I include lots of high intensity workouts / shorter all out effort races (40 to 60km)

 

2 months before, I do 4 weekends of back to back 110km (1600m vertical) offroad rides with a 5kg backpack.... my fav training rides of the year... all alone, unsupported, carrying clothes, food and everything for the 2 rides on me...  

 

2 weeks before taper slightly... Have ridden with much slower partners the last 2 times so I looked at TB as a fun ride. Training will be a bit different with a fast partner.

 

My experience is that if you're in good form from frequint racing earlier in the year, you don't have to do mega miles to be ready...As long as you keep fighting and stay around LT you'll be fine...  

 

In 2005 we came 10th in 11:55 (after waiting lots for our one team member and eventualy disqualified for leaving him behind)

 

This was only 8 months after I started riding MTB and I've hardly done 3x 90km rides leading to the event, but lots of XC races...

 

Training has become more structured with long term goals. Try to work out some program where you gradually build and increase intensity leading to the event and then taper for a 2 weeks to be totally fresh on the day...   

 

   

Brighter-Lights2009-03-09 05:41:37

[Dirt*girl™]

http://www.ecobound.co.za/tb_trainingpr.html

[fatcyclist]

I've never done this only Desert Dash (longer, but probably less climbing), what I did:

 

 

 

Normal road routine (for PPA league races), but afterwards do some extra miles, to maybe a get 5hr ride in.

 

One day on the weekend specific mountainbike riding. Went on 3 to 4hr rides with Niterider at least once on a weekend. I had to get used to the mtb since I changed the position slightly and am mostly a roadie. Ended up doing 3 weeks of about 16hrs, followed by a easier 12hr week.

 

 

 

Don't forget mental preparation. After a while everything hurts, the legs keep turning but the mind says "make it stop, make it go away". What TitusTi told me about 24hr racing (he knows a thing or two ) "you're just training your mind to be able to cope with the sh*t you're doing to yourself"...

 

 

 

Hope this helps..

[Roux 1]

Decide between race and pace for the TB.

Train regularly, sit in saddle a lot. You can not really for the distance. At 180km training of last year will carry you through. At 210km training of before that start to kick in.

Remember a lot is in your head.

[clivem]

Hey Slabs, it sounds like there's a lot of heavy graft still left!

[Spark]

Start Mid May. 3 weeks up to 15hrs, including one 6hrs plus ride on weekends. one rest week of 5hrs easy. then another 3 weeks of 15hrs, followed by a rr week. From there on only 10 hrs per week and the week before only 2 short rides. This will do it. Good luck

[slabs]

Thanks Spark. Looking at the TB website program and your comments I might be on track as am between 10 and 14hrs per week currently. At some time I will also need some serious hill training...

[jugheaddave]

Hi Guys

 

I am no traing expert but what we did is just to make sure that you get those long weekend rides in (time in the saddle).

 

I (think) you should be trying to do a good few 7 or 8hr rides on the weekends leading up to the event!