1200 km

[spin-up]

Legspeed did you finish the 1200 you were planning this summer? How was it? Could you sleep or was it strictly non-stop? And how on earth did you train for this??? It must take at least 20-30 trainingshours a week... or is there a shortcut? I'm interested, going to expand traininghours this fall. November & december base-building, and next year try to work up to 400/600. Any advises or ideas or websites you have please share (or PM).

Our 1200 ride will not be untill 2007 but I'm definitely going to need all of those years to get ready!!!

[Patrick]

My view on doing the 1200Ks having done Boston Montreal Boston in 2002 and PBP in 2003 is to start the brevet season with the training background to complete the 300K and ready to tackle the 400K. After completing the 600K I would recover and then try to ride 300K on Saturday, 150K on Sunday and speed work/hills on Tuesday and Thursday. I would rest or do a recovery ride on the remaining days.

About three weeks before the 1200K, I took a four day weekend and rode 200K a day for four straight days so my body would be able to adapt riding four long days in a row.

However I know a few people who have trained significantly more than this and a lot of people who trained significantly less.

Think about LEL for next year. Its 1400K but the cutoff times are more lenient, if that is a concern. Or come to the States for the California Gold Rush or BMB.

Pat

[spin-up]

Sorry Pat I didn't realise there were more people on this site who did 1200K rides... Pretty amazing what you did!! It must take so much mental strength to do those long rides.

The PBP in 2007 is what I'm aiming at. Together with some other JGSI's over here. (I heard even JG himself is interested..) Since some of us don't have years of background in cycling we will make a trainingprogram for the next few years. Also add in longer spinning-rides during winter. Scroll down you'll find another post on this subject somewere below.

Anyway, I'm curious. What did you think of PBP? What time did you finish? You did all of the criteria in the months right before? How was your schedule during the ride? Sorry for sort of sqeezing you out, but you see.. I don't know anyone else who did this.

Thanks a lot for your advises so far!!

[Legspeed]

I did, in fact, complete my 1200km....but just barely. There's not enough bandwidth to recount all the mechanical, biologic, and mental failures I suffered on that ride. Consequently, I pretty much rode straight through. Amazingly, the sleep deprivation didn't really affect me until the last 40k or so. I'm still composing a ride report and I'll send you the link once it's posted.

Patrick's advice is good, but aggressive, imho. If this is your first brevet series, being prepared to ride a 200k at the start of the season is probably enough base. The 300k won't be much a stretch. Personally, I think the 400k is probably the hardest brevet of all since it's (typically) the longest distance without any sleep. If you can ride the 400k and still have a little left in the tank at the finish, then you're ready for the 600k. Remember, you only to average 12km/hr to finish within the time limit.

Patrick, I had the opportunity to chat with some Brits about LEL last month and they claimed it was harder (steeper) than BMB. Something about 20% grades once you got into Scotland. Ugh! If you're planning to do the GRR next year, keep in touch. I've got it penciled as my primary goal for next year.

[Patrick]

No apology necessary.

I was badly prepared for BMB and only slept 4 hours total in order to complete the ride in 87 hours. In order to prepare for Paris and knowing I had the endurance, I worked on speed over the winter in a reverse periodization fashion. Then when I started my longer rides and brevets, I rode them much faster than I did the year(s) before. I started in the 90 group starting at 2200 hours and arrived in Loudeac about 1900. I slept 6 hours each night thereafter (18 hours total) and finished in 86:05. Some people race PBP. Some people ride slowly and sleep little like I did at BMB the year before. My goal was to ride hard and sleep lots.

I loved PBP. It has got to be the greatest bicycle event in the world for those of us who cannot compete in the European professional races. The French are extremely supportive of the ride and the riders, regardless of nationality. You will find folks out on the course at all hours of the day and night, many with food and water and offering all sorts of emotional support, "Bon courage!"

There is one major climb, Roc Trévezel, outside of Brest; you ride it in both directions. The ride is not flat but there are very few steep hills. Much of the ride is long gradual ascents and descents.

I would suggest doing the 200 and 300K brevets next year and do the full brevet series in '06. You will then be well prepared for PBP. I know of someone whose first ride in 18 months was the 200K. She just barely made it through the brevet series. She was so exhausted she only rode short distances until the start of PBP. She finished! There are as many ways to train for PBP as there are riders doing PBP.

Nutrition as well as training and psychology are huge issues. At PBP I stayed with a liquid fuel from the time I awoke until having a solid food dinner just before sleep. I briefly talked about training: "Ride lots." Seriously, ride as much you as you can without overtraining or injury. In my view, rest and recovery is the most important part of training. Flexibility and strength come next. Riding is third. While I ride significantly more than I stretch or weight train, I make sure I am well rested and recovered.

Randonneuring and ultramarathoning are very challenging. They are a microcosm of life. You have great moments and terrible moments. I find I have to be totally focused on the goal -- nothing short of a major injury or an irreparable mechanical breakdown will make me stop. "Quitting is not an option" "Pain is temporary, glory lasts forever." "Pride or alibi, it's your choice." These were a few of my favorite motivators.

I decided to focus on 40K time trials the next few years but I intend to return to Paris '07.

Good luck -- stay in touch!

[Patrick]

Legspeed,

Congratulations! BMB is reputed to be the hardest of the 1200Ks. Awesome job.

Because I live further north than much of the U.S. our brevets start late but must finish in time to qualify for PBP. Thus the local brevets are only two weeks apart. For that reason, I found it better to have a few 200K+ rides under my belt before the first brevet.

[spin-up]

I think I can take off from here! See the best thing is to get info from someone who has really been there and went tru all the suffering. I read this article of someone who did PBP and he said: it's like getting deflowered again (sorry don't know another word for this). It sort of renews your sight on life and brings everything in perspective. Well sounds like something good to experience when you're about halfway your life. Just still wondering how many years the 2 of you have been riding, see, I only have 2 years of cycling behind me, most of it racing, rather short rides, and I'm not getting any younger...

Legspeed congrats on finishing that ride! can't wait to see the report on that. I realise that something else I need to take care of is be sure to be able to do all the maintenance of my bike. Right now I'm at the bike-shop pretty much every weekend.

I liked your motivators Pat. My best one is 'When it doesn't hurt, it's doing nothing at all'. Thanks for the tip, I will plan in the 200 and 300 for next Spring. The 200 will probably be Luik-Bastenaken-Luik in april. I will make combinations of solo-rides and cyclo-races.

Something else. We have an European version of the Race Accross America called 'Le Tour Direct'. It's a non-stop ride over 4000 km in 10 days, covering the major TdF etappes. It will be held for the first time in september 2005.

This ride is not only for solo-riders but also for teams of 4 persons. Right now we think of joining this challenge with a team of 4 dutch JGSI's. It fits perfectly well in our trainingprogramm for PBP.

Well I thought maybe this is a great opportunity to sort of bring together JGSI's from all over, make teams for every country. Wouldn't it be great to meet, share experience and do a VERY VERY challenging race all at the same time?

Think about it! I'll do some more promotion on this forum and other ones. Info: www.letourdirect.org

[gerard]

Hey Spin-up

I traced a Dutchie in our neighbourhood who did ride PBP two times. Want to invite him for the Trainfo event in january to give a lecture on it.

Gerard

[TJB]

BMB is a great event. Some of you may be interested in the Quad Centuries as well. check out www.rusa.org for more info.

[spin-up]

did you do it?

[TJB]

I have done BMB a few times.

[spin-up]

Could you please tell a bit more about it, here or PB? What did you do to prepare, how many hours did you sleep during the ride, what was your total time, avarage speed. Did you go solo or in a group? What is your background how many years have you been cycling. How much do you train weekly?

(I'll leave it at this, the other 98% of my questions I will hold in)(thanks!)

[TJB]

I have ridden BMB solo and with some friends, It depends on what my goals are for the ride. The best way to learn about the 1200Km is to start with the Brevets. You must compleate a series of Brevets before the 1200 K Randonnee. In the USA we are part of Randonneurs USA (RUSA).
I have done BMB with a lot of sleep (4 to 5 hours per night), finishing 83 hours. and I have done it with a lot less sleep and finished a lot faster. You should plan on sleeping each night for your first 1200Km. Four hours or less of sleep is the best for me. My biggest problem is cold weather, I am from Florida, I like it when it is HOT.
I use indoor cycling as a big part of my training. I think it is the way you train, not the years. If you are interested in a 1200Km, it is likely you have been riding for years. In Florida we have already had a 200Km Brevet this year. The number of hours per week that I train depend on my training phase. I could be training 40 hours a week, if you include the Brevets in my hours. After my season I go into recovery I may only train 5 hours a week.
Spin-up are you going to do BMB? Have you started to prepare for it?

[spin-up]

No not the BMB - see.. I live in Europe. With some other JGSI's we plan to take the Paris/Brest/Paris in 2007, which is also 1200 km. Maximum time 90 hours, you need to get the 200,300,400 and 600 km brevets first.

I started cycling only 2 years ago, but like to have a challenging goal. Winning the race is out of the question (I'm 40) but taking an ultra-ride just might be possible...

I have appr 20 hours of training time weekly (average), including other sports. About 10 hours for outdoor cycling, and in the 2 years I plan to build that up. Like you say, depending on training period, season etc.

Thanks for your info, I need all I can get! What's your plans for the next future?

[Patrick]

Actually, 40 is on the young side of the bell curve of 1200K participants. But, I agree that without a lot of ultramarathon racing under your belt, it is probably good advice to focus on completing your first 1200K… sort of like your first Spin class: the goal is to be still riding when the class ends.

How many brevets are you going to do this year?

[TJB]

Pat, What 1200Km are you doing this year?

[Patrick]

I hate to say it because we have four great rides in North America this year including the once every 4 years Gold Rush and a new ride in Seattle, Washington which sounds exceptional, but I have decided to do individual time trials this year. I was also approached by 3 racers to do some 4 person team trials.

I still love Randonneuring but my family doesn't approve of my night riding, especially when I do it solo in the rain at closing time. :-(

[JFK]

Well, you do have to admit, if they suggested you ride alone in the rain at closing time, you might feel a bit put off. :wink:

[Patrick]

Jennifer,

Good point! Very clever.

This reminds me of the the converse of the comedian who claimed his parent told him to "play in the street, always take candy from strangers, and then taught him to ride his bike on the roof on his house."

[spin-up]

When I first started riding outside my husband thought I was ridiculous in setting way too ambitious goals... he said, you'd be stupid enough to ride PBP!

And sh.. I'm gonna do it!!!!

Oh and Pat, I will do the brevets starting april 2006. How did your races go - last fall was it?

[Patrick]

Good luck on your brevets! I'm already suffering withdrawl from Randonneuring. I miss it. I intend to do the 200K and 300K and will work the other two brevets as a secret control.

My first outdoor time trial is April 8. I still haven't bought a used TT frame or bike. I won a used Cervelo P3 on eBay but it was a scam -- fortunately I became immediately suspicious and delayed sending the money.

I may just put aerobars on my "road race bike." At this stage, I am only competing against myself. I don't expect to get a podium finish for another 3 or 4 years, if ever.

[Patrick]

Spin-up,

One of your neighbors may have a 1200K next year and a 1000K this year. What is a polder? This was posted on the UMCA list:

Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2005 04:22:59 -0800 (PST)
From: Gerrit Schotman <gerinri@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Re: 2006 1200k

Hi,

Nothing is definite, but I have plans to organize a 1200k in the Netherlands for 2006. That one will be called Lowlands1200.

No hills, but dikes, wind and polders.

This year in June there is a pre-ride: Lowlands1000. If all fits
well this will be continued.

Greetings,
Gerrit

[Legspeed]

from dictionary.com

pol·der (n): An area of low-lying land, especially in the Netherlands, that has been reclaimed from a body of water and is protected by dikes.

It'll be interesting to see if the UMCA designates the Lowlands 1200 as a RAAM qualifier.

[spin-up]

Thanks for informing you 2! I've joined a yahoo group with dutch PBP enthousiasts... and there's so much info to swallow and training to do (already) I have hardly time for net-surfing...

Anyway I'll dig into it and let you know! Might be a great idea to join as preparation for PBP! You think of participating?

For this year (2005) I have to work on distance riding, maybe do an overnight ride, and I'm taking a few cyclo's to keep variation. The weather is real bad here... but I guess that builds the mind. Unfortunedly I had to reduce my spinning classes from 10 to 5, to get the extra training time.

How are you doing? Any rides outside? What's scheduled for this year?

O btw 'polder' indeed means flat flat flat - lots of wind, no protection, boring country-side... but it makes you STRONG as a rock!!!

Ciao! Clarien

[gerard]

Different shades of green under a sky of Dutch grey. Thank god this land is man-made, not to many colours. Always a vanishing point, always a horizon were the land touches the sky the way you're butt touches the saddle of your bike.
This land was the territory of the great painter Rembrand. It was here were he got inspired to paint a little piece called The Cyclist.
Leonardo drew up of what is believed to be the ancesters of our modern bike. It was Rembrand who saw and painted the first cyclist. Can you imagine this countryside is boring????

[TJB]

legspeed,

As of now the UMCA allows any 1200km to be a RAAM qualifier if it is sanctoined by the ACP or RM.

Are you still planning on doing Gold Rush?

[Legspeed]

Although I believe there is no such thing as an easy 1200k, I just can't imagine a randonee in the Netherlands having the same 60 hour qualifying time as, say, BMB or the Rocky Mountain for RAAM. But then, heck, what do I know.

I finished my qualifiers for the GRR a couple of weeks ago and I'm well within the cutoff limit on the wait-list. I'm in the process now of negotiating the "kitchen-pass". Cross your fingers for me.

[TJB]

I hope you make it to GRR. I should be there, I have to wait for some more people to drop the list.

Where did you do your Brevets? There are not many states that have compleated the 600km this year.