I could really use some constructive ideas. I'm training for an ironman and every time i see a 5 hr, 6 hr, or even 6+hr ride on my training schedule, I cringe. I live in a giant suburb and there are some roads I can ride safely, and I've done 100 mile rides using these roads, but these rides are really sub-optimal because I'm stopping every few minutes for a light or a turn, etc. and when I look at my power profile for these rides, it's all over the place due to the stopping/waiting. It's really hard to get some solid even-power riding done. So because of this, sometimes I go for Option B which is to drive 30-60 min out of my congested area to country roads, but then, I have the issue of fueling....where can I stop to get water, snacks, etc? One time I was so dehydrated due to having to go an extra 15 miles till I found a gas station. Not to mention, if I drive out to the rural area and start my long ride and then have a bad mechanical or other problem, it would ruin my day (and one of my friend's or relative's day) to have to be picked up in timbuktu. So that leaves me with Option C which is a 5 or 6 hr trainer ride, which I've done, but it's nasty nasty torture, and I am person who uses my trainer a lot otherwise.
HELP!!! What other options am I missing here? I've looked for the supported century and grand fondo rides, but sometimes they don't match up on the right weekends and they don't have them all the time. I've also tried a couple cycling club rides and, as most of us know, you can get some frowns when you roll roll in with aerobars, even if you never use them.
HELP!!! What other options am I missing here? I've looked for the supported century and grand fondo rides, but sometimes they don't match up on the right weekends and they don't have them all the time. I've also tried a couple cycling club rides and, as most of us know, you can get some frowns when you roll roll in with aerobars, even if you never use them.