Three weeks. 3,000kms.

Lusk_Doyle

The past nine months has seen very little cycling for me. We had a baby and I've started a new business. Until a couple of weeks ago, I had probably cycled my bike four times since the baby was born at the end of August. Anyway, the wife and son have headed off to Poland for three weeks so I've set myself the above target.

Yesterday was the first day.

Morning ride: 31.1kms. Average speed 25.3kms/per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/130138395

Evening ride: 73.6kms. Average speed 25.2kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/130300397

Daily total: 104.7kms.
Remaining to target: 2895.3kms.

It hurts.

Cee-Jay-Cee

You have to average over 150km every day to reach your target.

Taking an average conservative speed of 25kmph you'll be spending approximately 6 hours every day in the saddle and allowing for getting ready, stopping for a bite to eat and changing/showering afterwards you'll be dedicating 7-8hrs a day to the task. Are you training for something or why such a high target?

Lusk_Doyle

CJC999 wrote: »

You have to average over 150km every day to reach your target.

Taking an average conservative speed of 25kmph you'll be spending approximately 6 hours every day in the saddle and allowing for getting ready, stopping for a bite to eat and changing/showering afterwards you'll be dedicating 7-8hrs a day to the task. Are you training for something or why such a high target?

Your maths is slightly off there. 3,000kms in three weeks is 143kms per day average. Not over 150kms!

Getting ready takes 5 minutes each time. I don't stop to eat when I am on the bike unless I am doing a long cycle (greater than four hours). Even then, it would only be a short stop for a quick refuel (I did the Milan San Remo route last year in 9 hrs 4 mins with 15 mins on top of that for food/drink stops). I can go a long while on the bike without the need to refuel.

25kms is probably a bit low for the total average speed for me also. At my "peak" I would be close to 30kms average and hope to get close to that soon enough. Yesterday, I averaged 25.3 for the morning ride and 25.2 for the evening ride. This morning's was 27.3.

Some days will be longer in the saddle, for instance, this Friday will be in and around 200kms which balances out the daily averages required.

I have too much lost conditioning and wan't to get it back asap. Orwell Randonee in May, trip to the Dolomites in July (4,190m of climbing in one day) and I want to do some open races this year also as I have missed too many already to date.

ford2600

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

The past nine months has seen very little cycling for me. We had a baby and I've started a new business. Until a couple of weeks ago, I had probably cycled my bike four times since the baby was born at the end of August. Anyway, the wife and son have headed off to Poland for three weeks so I've set myself the above target.

Yesterday was the first day.

Morning ride: 31.1kms. Average speed 25.3kms/per hour.
Evening ride: 73.6kms. Average speed 25.2kms per hour.
Daily total: 104.7kms.
Remaining to target: 2895.3kms.

It hurts.

Good stuff. Best of luck with it.

Carlingford Audax on within 3 week period and Mayo Quite man also

Inquitus

I am heading over to Howth to do some hill repeats with Paul Price tonight if you are interested, leaving Swords @ 6.20pm and good for about 70-80km (you get a bonus 10-15km on top)

Oh and best of luck you mad bastard

Lusk_Doyle

Inquitus wrote: »

I am heading over to Howth to do some hill repeats with Paul Price tonight if you are interested, leaving Swords @ 6.20pm and good for about 70-80km (you get a bonus 10-15km on top)

Oh and best of luck you mad bastard

I'm going to stay NCD / Meath this evening. Thanks for the offer.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

Your maths is slightly off there. 3,000kms in three weeks is 143kms per day average. Not over 150kms!

Sorry I was just rounding up slightly because your not going to stop at 143km each day and will probably go over the target distance to achieve your goal and some.

thebouldwhacker

I'm interested in your reports to hear how your body ( and bike) respond to this. Great timing with the weather, stay away from the hill repeats! Good luck!

Lusk_Doyle

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

I'm interested in your reports to hear how your body ( and bike) respond to this. Great timing with the weather, stay away from the hill repeats! Good luck!

I'll post the Strava links so there is complete transparency!

thebouldwhacker

Like Kelly said, that doesn't measure suffering, saddle sores and creaky bearings is what I want to know about!!

Lusk_Doyle

Day two:

Morning ride: 29.7kms. Average speed 27.3kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/130454802

Evening ride: 74.2kms. Average speed 25.2kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/130632774

Daily total: 103.9kms.

Remaining to target: 2,791.4kms.

I had a good first hour on the evening ride where my average was up around 28kms/hour but suffered from not having any dinner before hand from km 40 - km 50 which brought the average right down and I was just spinning slowly in the small ring. I got it back up somewhat after a refuel in Santry for the rest of the journey home.

I'm not bothered with the average speed yet as this will come back with the kms.

Thebouldwhacker will be pleased to know the I'm fairly certain the BB on my training bike is fast approaching retirement.

detones

Best of luck with this LD. It's a very ambitious target for 3weeks. Nearly Akin to completing a grand tour!! I think I've done a fair bit this year and have only done around 2300k. There are lads I follow on Strava racing and competing well who have done less than 3000k this year too. I'm no expert by any means but would a bit of structured training not be more beneficial and enjoyable than killing yourself trying to achieve such a high mileage target.

Lusk_Doyle

detones wrote: »

Best of luck with this LD. It's a very ambitious target for 3weeks. Nearly Akin to completing a grand tour!! I think I've done a fair bit this year and have only done around 2300k. There are lads I follow on Strava racing and competing well who have done less than 3000k this year too. I'm no expert by any means but would a bit of structured training not be more beneficial and enjoyable than killing yourself trying to achieve such a high mileage target.

I'd normally be hitting 5k per year myself including racing. I don't like structured training. It's not very French!

Lusk_Doyle

CJC999 wrote: »

Sorry I was just rounding up slightly because your not going to stop at 143km each day and will probably go over the target distance to achieve your goal and some.

3,000 is more than enough to be aiming for!

pprendeville

Good luck with this Lusk. I think you're well able for the mileage but be careful going around corners.

Lusk_Doyle

Day three:

Morning ride: 36.1kms. Average speed 25.3kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/130755897

Evening ride: 64.4kms. Average speed 25.5kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/130960096

Daily total: 100.5kms.

Remaining to target: 2,690.9kms.

The evening spin included joining the introduction spin for new McNally Swords CC members and included a little bit of standing around and talking which meant that I didn't get to do as much distance as I had intended.

Feeling good but finding that I run out of steam on the uphills easily enough.

Tomorrow is another day!

G rock

Similar position myself, first kid last september, been on bike less than ten times since.

by the middle of march last year I had over 3k done, I'd say I'd be doing well to get that done in total this year, so your thread is fairly inspiring!

Will be following with interest!

Lusk_Doyle

Day Four:

Morning ride: 31.5kms. Average speed 26.1kms.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/131091177

Evening ride: 66.7kms. Average speed 27.8kms.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/131268064

Daily total: 98.2kms.

Remaining to target: 2,592.7kms.

I was under time pressure on the evening ride as I had to get out to see a client at 8:30 so 66.7kms was the most I could squeeze in before I had to get back and get ready.

Bottom bracket replaced in training bike. Discovered a strange, intermittent knocking soiound on the race bike which I now have to go and investigate and slap a 27 on for tomorrow.

Wicklow beckons...

killalanerr

best off luck whit this Ya mad yoke. Ill be i touch about keeping you company for a few km next week. You can help me with my rehab

Lusk_Doyle

killalanerr wrote: »

best off luck whit this Ya mad yoke. Ill be i touch about keeping you company for a few km next week. You can help me with my rehab

Cool. Will do!

Lusk_Doyle

Day five.

Day long ride: 220.6kms. Average speed 25.2kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/131560557

Remaining to target: 2,372.1kms.

Bed time.

Oh, and top 8 on one of the Wicklow climbs! How, I have no idea other than it must not get climbed often!

wirelessdude01

Did this attempt die a death?

Lusk_Doyle

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Did this attempt die a death?

Nope. Laptop battery did though so no uploads to Strava! I'll update tomorrow if I can get out of the bed. 140kms in Wicklow this afternoon!

Lusk_Doyle

Days six and seven were more of less rest days after the exertions of day five's epic adventure.

Day six: 54.7kms. Average speed 25.6kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/131814273

Day seven: 21.4kms. Average speed 24.7kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/132895083

Weekly total: 704kms.

Remaining to target: 2,296kms.

I was a little disappointed in that I had hoped to get to at least 800kms for the first week. This was offset by getting the 220kms spin completed and not being totally destroyed by it. I genuinely didn't think that I was at that level yet.

Lusk_Doyle

Day eight was another trip to Wicklow with my brother. We drove to South Dublin and spent the next 6 hours winding our way around Wicklow in glorious weather and on extremely quite roads.

Day eight: 138.8kms. Average speed: 23.1kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/132895129

Saw a few other boardsies on my way also.

I did suffer on this a bit as he is a good bit faster than me currently. I dug deep and got through it though.

Remaining to target: 2,157.2kms.

smacl

Fair play. Not quite the course I'd be choosing if I was targeting maximum distance though, you'd probably get a flat 200k in for way less effort!

Lusk_Doyle

smacl wrote: »

Fair play. Not quite the course I'd be choosing if I was targeting maximum distance though, you'd probably get a flat 200k in for way less effort!

Sure that would be too easy!

Lusk_Doyle

Day nine.

I took a rest this morning to give the body a little additional time to recover after the last trip to Wicklow the previous day.

Evening spin: 59.8kms. Average speed 29kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/133062237

Remaining to target: 2,097.4kms.

Tomorrow should see this dip a good bit below 2,000kms. The past few spins have been very enjoyable in comparison to the first few which were hard. My legs are really improving quickly as is my power to keep efforts going. Today, I averaged 30kph for the first hour and 10 mins which was nice and I wasn't in the red at any stage.

I'm realising that this task that I have set myself is more about the fun of the actual challenge rather than the stated end goal. I still want to achieve the goal but it's not the be all and end all of it.

Raam

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

I'm realising that this task that I have set myself is more about the fun of the actual challenge rather than the stated end goal. I still want to achieve the goal but it's not the be all and end all of it.

No welching on us, you poofter.

Lusk_Doyle

Raam wrote: »

No welching on us, you poofter.

No intention to.

wirelessdude01

Raam wrote: »

No welching on us, you poofter.

:eek:

Lusk_Doyle

Day ten.

The morning was horrible with the rain and I had just washed my gear after a soaking on the last five kms from the previous evening's ride so I declined the invite from myself to go out in it!

Evening ride: 101.5kms. Average speed: 29.1kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/133460763

Remaining to target: 1,995.9kms.

Lusk_Doyle

Day eleven.

Morning ride: 35.6kms. Average speed: 24.5kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/133597008

Evening ride: 65.2kms. Average speed: 27.6kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/133787991

Daily total: 100.8kms.

Remaining to target: 1,895.1kms

The body is beginning to feel the effect of the effort. Tightness on the right side of my neck and a pain (almost) in my hole!

Halfway through and just under 1,200kms done. The target looks unlikely to be achieved but if I can get to within 500kms of it I will be reasonably satisfied with that. If anything, I will have whipped myself into much better shape with a view to finally getting in some racing this year and being at the business end of things.

Edit: The first day that I go out without my gilet and buff in my back pockets is the day that there is a bloody cold mist that the headwind was driving straight into me from Naul all the way home!

thebouldwhacker

After your decision, the thread, the effort, the pain and time spent so far on this you are talking about kinda getting there?
Just get on your bike and do it. 3000km is a lot, it's far, it's hard, it's a little crazy, but it certainly not impossible!
Yes your ass will be sore, you will probably get a pain in your shoulders and perhaps in your legs but what did you expect when you set yourself the challenge? Plan your rides, pace, climbs and rests and trust yourself to see it through.
The only obstacle between success and failure is in your head, not your legs, ass or back. You have enough experience to push this and do it. The challange here is not against the road or the clock, it's against yourself, if you want it, it's yours! Take it and regardless of what else happens for the rest of the season you will be smiling because you will have this in the bag!



Ignore the mind, trust the plan.

Lusk_Doyle

Thanks Coach!

RO 06

Doyler do you fancy a 120-130k spin in Wicklow on Sunday

Lusk_Doyle

RO 06 wrote: »

Doyler do you fancy a 120-130k spin in Wicklow on Sunday

I'm planning to repeat last Friday's spin again. I can meet you out there?

ian_rush

Best of luck, great achievement if you can pull it off. (Bishop, actress etc.)

wirelessdude01

Have you noticed any major weight loss since you started?

RO 06

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Have you noticed any major weight loss since you started?

If the skinny fecker lost any weight he would blow off the bike

beertons

An interesting read. Hope you do it. It's some distance.

Inquitus

RO 06 wrote: »

If the skinny fecker lost any weight he would blow off the bike

He's defo been putting the pies away during his layoff! at least by his standards!

Lusk_Doyle

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

Ignore the mind, trust the plan.

The only problem with the plan is the maths and how to fit what's left to do into what's left to do it in!

Raam

Only one thing for it: 24 hour cycle. Twice. Repeated 3 times.

Lusk_Doyle

Day twelve is a rest day. The legs need it to prepare for what I plan to be a BIG weekend of cycling. It gives me a chance to get some stuff done around the home too.

ford2600

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

Day twelve is a rest day. The legs need it to prepare for what I plan to be a BIG weekend of cycling. It gives me a chance to get some stuff done around the home too.

You have set yourself some target. Not sure it's the most beneficial way to train but 10/10 for setting yourself a real challenge.

Decent mileage from near scratch whether you get there or not

RO 06

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

Day twelve is a rest day. The legs need it to prepare for what I plan to be a BIG weekend of cycling. It gives me a chance to get some stuff done around the home too.

Get all them dishes and saucepans out of the sink and do the painting you told mrs Doyle you would have done for her coming home.

Lusk_Doyle

RO 06 wrote: »

Get all them dishes and saucepans out of the sink and do the painting you told mrs Doyle you would have done for her coming home.

Kitchen is clean. Grass cut and garden half weeded. What i could achieve if i didn't cycle!

pprendeville

You could try and get out for a few longer rides with someone else? Not sure of that's your style but it usually makes things that bit easier to get in longer distance.

whacker00

Keep up the good work @luskdoyle and some great encouragement from @thebouldwhacker great post on the previous page. Following this closely as I've a charity event in May 430km over two days and it's similar long distance and morning/evening spins I've been using for training

Well done

Lusk_Doyle

Day thirteen.

Simply horrible. Wind all the way into me as far as Sutton. Wind all the way into me and across me up the Sally Gap. Sideways hail all the way into me down from the Sally Gap via Glenmacneas waterfall until near the bottom when it was just torential rain straight down. I had intended on getting up to the Shay Elliot to cheer the lads on but it was just too awful out there and I was really suffering from not having adequate clothes for the weather. Had to call for rescue from Laragh as I would never have made it back home and not gotten sick as a result.

I'm extremely disappointed with how it turned out today as I was looking for a 250kms + ride and the body felt great after the previous rest day. Oh well, nothing else for it only beer!

Morning ride: 98.8kms. Average speed: 24.2kms per hour.

Data: http://www.strava.com/activities/134355515

Remaining to target: 1,796.3kms.