The big four oh

[wesley_r]

No, I'm not turning 40 anytime soon, but I have signed up to do the 40km route at Eselfontein this year, on the 24th October.

 

40km is probably no big deal for most experienced hubbers here, but consider this: in January of this year I was 115kg, unfit, about to turn 31 with a 1 year old son. I also hadn't been on a bicycle for over 13 years, and then it happened - we went away with family for a few days and I (big mouth) had got myself into the position of riding a 7 year old Nishiki tank from L'agulus to Struisbaai (and back). When I was done coughing up my lungs I vowed to get into this "cycling" thing.

 

What I'm saying is, for a 31 year old noob, it's a big deal, ok? (to add to that, my 60 year old father is doing it with me!)

 

Fast foward several months and here I am. A lot fitter, cycling more often on my own bike (Mongoose Tyax Super) - about 3-5 times a week - and weighing 112kg. Ok, so the eating thing is still a problem - sue me.

 

And in just less than a month, a 40km trail ride!

 

My goal - to actually do 40km BEFORE I go off an do it at Eselfontein. My approach is simple and not very technical - cycle often and cycle far! Basically I am working up to it - I got myself a cycle computer this weekend, and as of Sunday I've been "logging" my rides. Sunday was 17.7km at Contermanskloof, yesterday it was a 16.8km road ride. I have to more than double that!

 

So, any words of wisdom, advice, encouragement? My one big question is - how much is overdoing it? How many days in a row can I cycle before I take a day off, and if I take a day off what's the most days I can take off?

 

Wish me luck!

[MyGT]

its your personal goal and i dont think anyone here is going to rip you off for that. try to ride as often as possible and on weekends go to a mtb park try to get some mileage. road cycling is also very beneficial for increasing your endurance. however you just got to be a safe on the road.

 

you dont need anymore motivation to train than the fact that your 60yr old dad (twice your age) is going to kick your butt in the race.

 

 

also please learn how to fix a puncture. you dont want to be stuck in your first race with a puncture.

 

where are you based???

[bikemonster]

My approach is simple and not very technical - cycle often and cycle far!

 

That's all you need to know.

 

Some other stuff that may help:

1. Offroad distances are "twice as far" as on-road distances.

2. Too much is when it stops feeling fun. For me, that's usually more than 3 times a week. When I'm on leave I will happily ride every single day, alternating long and short rides. Like cycling, life is all about balance.

3. Time off the bike - you will start to lose your "edge" after about a week. After more than two weeks or so, it may take an act of will to get back into a cycling routine. But if you're away from the bike for any reason, don't beat yourself up about it, just get back to it.

4. Have fun. As long as you're having fun, you'll want to ride your bike.

 

Good luck with reaching your goal. Update this thread as you go so we can follow your progress.

[Mojoman]

I cycle 4-5 days a week, and take 1 or 2 days off, sometimes in a row, sometimes staggered. I also started off very slow and easy (do yourself a favour and keep a log book, distance, times, average speeds, weather/road conditions and health, makes for interesting reading 6 months later!) and just build up, try not to do the same route all the time or do it a difference way. It just takes time! As for the weight, I am around 105-110, I may not have lost a ton of weight but I am certainly fitter and faster now!

[deanbean]

40 km isn't far, it's all a mindset thing, if you think its far then it will be. All you have to do is ride slowly and do not over exert yourself.

Take your waking heart rate, if it starts increasing for more than 2 mornings in a row, then you are overdoing it, or you are getting sick and it's time to tuck into the Viral Choice big time.

[wesley_r]

Thanks for the feedback!

 

I'm in Cape Town, northern suburbs. I do vary it - mostly road rides in the week (or a quicky at Majik forest) and then on the weekends places like Meerendal, Majik Forest (longer ride), Contermanskloof, Jonkershoek - only done Contermans once and Jonkers twice but going back in the next couple of weeks, as well as Lebanon and Hillcrest.

 

Got you on the road vs offroad distance, totally!

 

My 60 year old is riding the route with me (and my brother in law), but I said nothing about him kicking my ass!

 

I can fix a puncture I also carry a spare tube, I prefer changing the tube when out on the ride, I find it quicker and easier. And I carry a puncture kit, and gas bombs, and, and. In my hydration pack. That's right, I said hydration pack.

 

And flat pedals.

 

And riser bars, with bar ends

 

(and occasionally a sleeveless T-shirt, shock horror)

[Zeps]

 

And riser bars, with bar ends

 

 

No laughing matter that dude

[wesley_r]

No laughing matter that dude

 

It's only a 30mm rise, I'm sure I can be forgiven...

 

(my 50mm rise bars will be on their way soon) B)

[Spinnekop]

Hi the_wes

 

Well done on pulling through on your goal, sticking to the cycling thing.

 

It is posts like these that makes one remember the "early days"

I am in a spot right now where I want to call it quits.......enough hard training and early morning wake ups and suffering.

This thread makes me remember of the goals and targets I once had. VERY nice to actually complete a goal successfully.....SO STICK TO IT!!!

 

Word of advice.

GET LIGHTER......every kg helps LOADS AND LOADS on the bike!!!!!

 

And then......you've said it yourself....."ride as often as you can".....don't worry about overdoing it....your body is an amazing tool that can be pushed beyond belief!

ENJOY EVERY RIDE and you'll be fine!!

Rule of thumb is to add 20% per week on the total distance until you have reached your goal.

 

Rest days......the fast boys believe you looses fitness if you rest more than 2 days....Rest=NO biking.

 

Good luck!!!

[mountain_lion]

Sounds like you have the correct approach and attitude.

Like spinnekop said: ever kg you loose helps.

 

If you take it easy, you should be OK for 40km.

 

Ensure that you drink enough on the day; it can get very hot at Eselfontein.

Also note that the Eselfontein 40km is one of the tougher 40km routes. It is mostly single track, has some long climbs and a steep rocky single track down hill.

So, brush up on your technical skills as well as endurance.

 

Most of all enjoy the training and event!

[wesley_r]

do yourself a favour and keep a log book, distance, times, average speeds, weather/road conditions and health, makes for interesting reading 6 months later!

 

now that I have the computer I am keeping a log - route (e.g. "contermanskloof" or "road ride"), distance, overall time, avg speed, top speed, haven't thought about weather or health... will check my weight weekly and see if there's any difference.

 

I'm a sucker for stats.

[wesley_r]

So far:

 

DAY / LOCATION / DISTANCE / TIME / AVG SPEED / TOP SPEED

1 / Contermanskloof / 17.7 / 01:33:17 / 11.39 / 40.8

2 / Road / 16.8 / 01:01:49 / 16.31 / 49.82

3 / REST

4 / Majik Forest / 9.67 / 00:45:51 / 12.66 / 34.32

5 / Majik Forest / 7.49 / 00:36:54 / 12.19 / 35.58

6 / Road / 16.56 / 00:57:13 / 17.37 / 51.72

7 / Majik Forest / 7.21 / 00:38:10 / 11.34 / 35.58

8 / Jonkershoek / 18.87 / 01:32:53 / 12.19 / 41.56

 

Yeah, I know to the pro's that doesn't seem like much, but to me it's a lot! If you told me a year ago that I'd be cycling - let alone this much - I would have laughed in your face!

 

I need to up those distances this week though!!

[MyGT]

just my 2c, again,

 

although you want to up your distance, i suggest that you should aim to increase the amount of time you spent on the bike. the 40km at esel might be much tougher than a 40km that you would race elsewhere. no 2 races are the same.

 

get your body accustomed to being on the bike for longer periods. once you are comfortable cycling for longer periods (slower rides) then you can decrease the time and increase the intensity.

 

look at last years results, the fastest guy did it in 2 hrs and the slowest in 4hrs. i assume that you are very committed, then you should target to be on the bike for 3 to 3.5 hr. once you are strong being on the bike for such time, then taper down and increase the intensity.

 

enjoy the training

[RudoJ]

Hey Wes

Nice to see there are more guys like me on the Hub!

I started 5 months ago after being of the bike (MTB) for more than 11 years. turned 37 this year. I cycle 2 times during the week (road +- 25km) and over weekends 45km shoulder of road/ off road. I worked up my way to these distances and will increase them soon. I did a 60km race a month ago...and didnt finish last. So there's hope. Havent lost that much weight either, but my clothes are fitting loose these days and I had to replace most of my clothes with a smaller size and well on my way to the next

 

Just try and do a long slow ride once a week... so I cycle Tuesdays Thursdays and Sat/Sun Would have loved to do two days on one day off,

 

You just have to do a long distance race. Just ride at your own pace

['Dale]

Keep on going, the_wes...

 

And stop saying "Ag, I know it's not that long..." and stuff like that.

 

Be positive in your own efforts. It is your body. Your bike. Your life.

 

Enjoy...

There's room for everyone here on da Hub.

[wesley_r]

So I did it! Last Tuesday I sent my bike in to get a new wheelset made up and fitted - I got it back on Friday! Saturday I did the 40km at Eselfontein and came 2nd last (as far as I know) but I finished it! (and nogal with a little stoppie on the finish line)

 

EINA!