Cycling a Century - Training Tips

Vary Your Training Rideseffort) or recovery rides (slow rides using little energy,
A common mistake amongst people training fordoing just enough to get your legs moving again).
century rides is to simply go out and ride as much asUse The Right Fuel
they can, ignoring pace. While this can work it will notOne of the keys to successfully riding a century is
allow you to get the most from your training.getting your nutrition right. Your body will burn a huge
It is best to vary your training rides as much asamount of calories during your century ride making it
possible. This will allow you to prevent training boredomvital you eat and drink during the ride itself.
while also allowing you to improve different aspects ofBe sure to start eating and drinking as soon as you
your riding.start pedaling, not wait until you are hungry or thirsty.
Be sure to incorporate at least one long ride in yourOnce you fall into a deficit it will be impossible to get it
training week. To prevent exhaustion this should beback.
done at a slower pace to normal. This ride will help youUse your training rides to practise your nutrition and
build endurance.what works for your body. Some people use just
Other rides during the week can be tempo (sustainedenergy drinks, gels and bars while others prefer more
effort for a medium period), intervals (slow ridenatural foods like sandwiches, fruit washed down with
interspersed with hard intense efforts and near to fullwater.