I have a really dumb interest in competing in a race from Jacksonville, FL to Key West, FL. It takes place over three days. I’ve never done a ride like this before, but something about going for over 24 hours is scary as hell and incredibly interesting.
How does one go about training for this? Mentally, what can I expect to encounter during the event? There are solo and team divisions, and supported and unsupported options.
I haven’t committed yet, but I think it would be something I’d appreciate having completed.
I’ve never raced one but have trained a lot with a racer and crewed for them. So, here’s some of what she did.
Of course, lots of long rides simulating the course (Silver State 508) which had long flats but climbing. Her coach had her riding at all different times of the day and night. We’d start at midnight, 2am, 6am. She did quite a few 200 mile rides. This helped her with her fueling and figuring out when/what to eat. Lights were another thing we had to manage. Have backups of certain things also. ( chains, tubes, sealant, cables or batteries. Clothing changes were important too. Maybe not so much for you in Florida but we had 40 degrees at night.
At some point expect a meltdown and how your crew will handle you. She rode straight threw without sleep and the night was the hardest. But, as soon as the sun came up the attitude will get better. Have your crew (if you have one) get some warm food for you at certain points
.Good luck!
Flanders
They stopped with new episodes a few years ago, but you can still listen to back episodes of The Ultra Cycling Show podcasts. Justin and/or Christoph interview quite a few Ultra cycling racers in both the “racer” and “participant” category. It’s an interesting listen, as you hear those whose experience resonates and others who make you wonder what in the world they’re thinking.
A few take-aways to note that seem common to all:
Completely comfortable bike fit and kit is mandatory. What seems “okay” for 12 or 14 hours can turn into a lot of misery for 24 - 30+.
Nutrition has to work for the length of the ride. This is difficult to know without actually testing. Personally I’ve passed faster riders who were puking on the side of the road at 3-am after their gut said enough!
Pacing is really the key, avoiding power surges and staying at your all day pace ensures you won’t crater and will finish without running out of gas.
For me, as said above, the wee hours of the night are the worst. As I age, I’ve lost a lot of resiliency, and really struggle from about 2-6 am. Once the sun comes up, I tend to feel a lot better and my issues seem to disappear.
Personally, I think it’s a good idea to have at least a few of those all-day rides, where you head out and spend the whole day on the bike… making sure the bike, the kit, and what you drink / eat is working for you. If something is irritating after 10 or 12 hours, it’ll be miserable after 24.
That means full on TT fit. I managed a full 24 hours in a legit very fast tt position. I sit up strategically and to eat. I knew I was ready after 12+ hour rides on the TT bike.
My ctl hovers around 140-160. I achieve that on more intensity than most due to time. Maybe not ideal but I have 25 hours but not 40 in a week.
I am not a fan of night training due to recovery. I am already in the limit and use a strict body clock. I feel recovery matters more than riding at night. Night is hard. I already know that!
I love ultra. Absolutely love it and just getting started with the big big stuff.
Race Across the East is up soon partnering with Ryan Collins. We hope to go pretty fast
I’ve started many a rides with shotts but don’t think I’ve ever finished with him. When the local group is turning home for our weekend long ride, he rolls off another direction. Numerous time’s I’ve gotten home from a long ride, showered, recovered, gone to the kids soccer game or swim meet, done yard work around the house, then dinner and a movie with the wife and shotts is just finishing up.
