Author Topic: Is 330 Miles in 2 days attainable for a novice with 30 days to prepare? (Read 2048 times)

TonyJames · « **on:** 21 February, 2016, 12:37:50 pm »

Turns out we're going to find out.

Internet playboy Dan Blizerian (younger readers will know of him) has bet $600,000 that he can ride from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in two days.

Even with Lance Armstrong on board to help with the training that sounds like a bit of an impossible feat.

If you had a mate from the pub who wanted to start riding, do you reckon you could get him to do two consistent days of 165 miles in just one months time?

hellymedic · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 February, 2016, 12:59:42 pm »

A 600 km Audax is at least 375 miles in less than 40 hours.

Although those who do these might be better prepared, it should be possible to do this, so long as they optimise the bike set-up, feeding and clothing.

perpetual dan · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 February, 2016, 02:04:44 pm »

This bloke (who, based on wikipedia, doesn't come over like a hero I'll be getting behind) looks like he spends some time in the gym and can probably make time for a pretty intensive training plan and a couple of days off after, has money for a well fitted bike and support to help him along. Not sure he can buy a cool cloudy windless day where he's riding though.

Poly Hive · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 February, 2016, 02:07:24 pm »

I would bet against.

Simply his arse will kill him and there is a limit as to what can be tholed.

PH

hellymedic · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 February, 2016, 02:14:11 pm »

Bum care is a matter of technique.
There are hundreds of people in yacf who have completed a 600, some with little preparation.

It can be done, with competence.

If you don't get competent planning, failure is more likely.

vorsprung · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 February, 2016, 02:17:40 pm »

Here's what they say about his training schedule

Quote

If you’re wondering why there’s no rides in there at 165 miles, well there just isn’t time. If Dan has got himself into a position where he can ride 120 miles at the end of week three then he is equally in a position where his mental fortitude will take him the extra 45 miles to get to the magic165 miles. On the second day he’ll know he has already ridden 165 miles so it’s no worse than what he has already done. The thought of $600,000 should help keep some of the pain at bay too.

Although Dan has to do a couple of climbs during the ride and although he has apparently had two heart attacks before, I vote for him doing it and rolling in at the other end with minutes to spare

Also, if I was him I would exploit the lack of a "no drafting" clause in this challenge

Long distance cycling isn't as difficult as people sometimes make out

Pancho · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 February, 2016, 02:24:36 pm »

35 is probably a good age for this sort of riding. He'll have some base muscle and yet still have youth on his side. However, according to the linked page, he's survived two heart attacks in the past - I'm no doc but crossing Death Valley uphill and against the clock doesn't sound wise.

Jaded · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 February, 2016, 02:34:33 pm »

Quote from: hellymedic on 21 February, 2016, 02:14:11 pm

Bum care is a matter of technique.
There are hundreds of people in yacf who have completed a 600, some with little preparation.

and some with quite a few handfuls of preparation.

Poly Hive · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 February, 2016, 02:45:17 pm »

Technique?

The only way I know is to build up slowly. Even when I was merrily riding 80's and 90's after three weeks off the bike bar the stationary bike on the Rig I had to start again with 20's and build up. We are all different and if his arse is anything like mine he is going to be a VERY sore laddie.

PH

T42 · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 February, 2016, 02:54:28 pm »

Two heart attacks by 35? This guy is really determined, it took me 69 years for just one.

Pickled Onion · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 February, 2016, 03:07:57 pm »

Quote from: vorsprung on 21 February, 2016, 02:17:40 pm

Long distance cycling isn't as difficult as people sometimes make out

Exactly. He's fit, he's young, he has 30 days to get used to a saddle and handlebars. Then just two days of enduring that - for $600,000 I wouldn't care how much my arse was bleeding.

Poly Hive · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 February, 2016, 06:27:03 pm »

He canna do it standing on the pedals....

PH

ElyDave · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 February, 2016, 07:45:58 pm »

If already fit in otherways, I think yes, definitely do-able.

It's a matter of training endurance and ability to sit on a bike for extended periods. With just two days back to back, recovery between days 1 and 2 is not critical as there is plenty of time to recover afterwards.

I was told that I couldn't possiby ride my first 100miler without having done at least 75-80 in training. I did 50s, with lots into the wind and did the 100 in 5h 30 riding time, under 6 hours total.

hellymedic · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 February, 2016, 08:06:36 pm »

My first Audax after 15 months away from endurance rides was a 300km.

Poly Hive · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 February, 2016, 08:40:20 pm »

K so some have a hard ass and some have a soft bum, I fall into the soft range and I make no apology for that as that for me is how it is. He may manage but TBH the odds are there are a lot more soft bums than hard ones. I am guessing but it might make for an interesting thread on it's own.

PH

hellymedic · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 February, 2016, 10:33:00 pm »

A soft bum frequently needs to be shifted off the saddle.
So does a hard bum.

All bums are soft if sat upon too long...
A soft seat is too hard if you never get your weight off it.

Feanor · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 February, 2016, 10:40:20 pm »

Quote from: Poly Hive on 21 February, 2016, 02:07:24 pm

what can be tholed.

I liked that. You don't see words like tholed much these days.
A couple of years ago, I reprimanded someone in our cycling group in a B+B for leaning against a wall, with his muddy foot braced against the wallpaper behind him.

"You'll blad the wifies wa's!"

He was delighted with the use of the word 'blad', which he'd not heard since his elderly mother had died.

T42 · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 February, 2016, 08:21:37 am »

Blad the Impaler?

My dad used thole quite a bit, usually when telling me what to do.

ElyDave · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 February, 2016, 10:02:24 am »

one that still sticks in my mind is clarted (?sp.)

As in "that cake's totally clarted with icing"

mattc · « **Reply #19 on:** 22 February, 2016, 12:56:03 pm »

I would vote no (with a big side-order of "probably"): a non-cyclist simply isn't efficient enough, especially if:
- pretty heavy,
- lacking in any endurance fitness.

I know people do 60-70 miles from no training, but the demands of 165 miles per day will not scale linearly. (He can take horse tranquilisers for any sore bits!)

I *would* put money on it, but the whole thing sounds rather uncontrolled, and I'm always suspicious of these high-profile "challenges" ...

Biggsy · « **Reply #20 on:** 22 February, 2016, 02:00:46 pm »

$600,000 may not be a juicy enough carrot to someone worth $100,000,000.

However, he's likely to have a tailwind all the way. (Not exactly, but near enough).

...from what I can gather from www.wrcc.dri.edu/htmlfiles/westwinddir.html

Ningishzidda · « **Reply #21 on:** 23 February, 2016, 06:31:47 am »

National trails Highway through Mojave Preserve? I wouldn't do it.

Well,,,, VisitCalifornia's motto this season is 'Big dream'...

With Yosemite, Mojave Preserve is in the top places where people go missing, never to be found, or found without any flesh remaining.