600k from a 300k

[keeks]

due to peronnel commiments timings and fitness etc my plan for doing a 400 before the BCM ( 600k) is not possible . I am doing a 300 three weeks beforehand and I have already completed a 300 about three weeks ago as well. On top of this I am cycling to work 14 miles one way and of course a long ride about 60k with hills at weekends . I have  had real issues with my knees and hopefully they are getting sorted by the physio , she has seen my feet and I am having inserts put in.

So will my training be enough or am I hopelessly naive to expect to do a 600 without a 400 ?

[Chris N]

GruB and I managed it last year.  A healthy dose of fear is good, but no doubt you'll be fine.

[border-rider]

I think you'll be fine too

As Chris said, you won't be the first to make that jump.  Doing a 400 is more about time on the bike and night riding than getting you massively more physically capable of riding a 600

I don't find 400s any easier than 600s to be honest...

[chris]

I did a (easy) 600 last year having only ridden two 200s, three 150s and a load of 100s in the previous 12 months.

I also failed on a (not so easy) 600 the previous year despite having lots of miles including a few 300s in my legs.

So my answer to your question is - I don't know, but good luck!

[Ian H]

I did my first ever 300 a week before my first ever 600. Prior to that I hadn't done as much as 200 for about four or five years. So...don't worry, you'll be fine.

[vorsprung]

I'm doing the Elenith 300 and then the Bryan Chapman 600
I'm not doing the Brevet Cymru 400 in between

Call me weird but The Brevet Cymru just doesn't have the wow factor of the other two rides

[Hummers]

From my perspective and (somewhat limited compared to other contributors) experience, riding a 400 gives you the confidence that you can cover the first stage of most 400s in one go and breaks the physcological barrier of having to ride through the night.

It might also be the first experience of spending 24+ hours awake, let alone on a bike or doing a physical challenge.

In terms of fitness, I am not sure it really helps more than 300s or even 200s. For example, I qualified for PBP in 2007 with the Hailsham 600 and did nothing longer than a 200 for the next 12 weeks. As you know, I am hardly an athlete so if I can do it..... I am dropping the Brevet Cymru for the Hardboiled 300 as a perm.

Personally, I am yet to enjoy rather than endure a 400 but oddly have not found 400k+ a problem on my two 600s or PBP. This suggests that once you've got the miles in your legs, the rest is in  your mind.

H

[hellymedic]

In many ways a 600 is almost easier than a 400; it starts in the morning, usually allows some rest at night and ends in the evening, leaving biorhythms almost unscathed even if the rider is very tired.
If you can sort out your knees, you should succeed. Go for it!

[keeks]

thanks all, these posts have given me a real boost. But  got no excuses  now

[hellymedic]

Until you collect that final stamp, there's always the possibility of an excuse (or reason)...