After numerous years of recreational MTB cycling I have gone and got myself a road bike and entered a couple of cyclosportives this year, the first of which being at the start of April. I have done about 4 weeks of road riding and am now at a stage where I can knock out 3 or 4 hour solo rides around the 17 mph average without too much trouble.
What sort of mileage/types of training should I be doing in preperation for this Cyclosportive in April (100+ miles!). Is there specific stuff I could be doing or should I just be trying to get a decent base fitness at the minute with longish riding?
Just feel a little unsure as entering unknown territory and would like to finish in a decent time rather than 'just get round' in April?
By cyclosportive do you mean what we call a Gran Fondo here in Italy? 😕
If so, you need to spend a lot more time riding. And also get used to riding fast in a large group, for 100~150km minimum, with average speeds in the high 30s (kp/h) at least.
And also get used to riding fast in a large group, for 100~150km minimum, with average speeds in the high 30s (kp/h) at least.
I've done these in both Belgium and France. Sure, the pace can be high, in fact it is for a lot of riders, many with a racing background, who take these pretty seriously.
On the other hand, there are plenty of people who ride them at a more leisurely pace - not to mention, 30 km/hr in a group is very different to doing that by yourself.
Sounds like you're well on track to at least finish, which is something in itself. For training, look round here for 2 x 20 and SST training.
