How do I train for something a big as ride the divide? I have been reading others blogs and web posting to see how they did it. Overall, the idea is to get in the best physical shape you possibly can be before you start.
I went in for my final doctors appointment regarding my herniated/bulging disc in my S1. Thanks be to God! It is being reabsorbed by my body. I should be fully recovered in about two months. Because of this injury my focus right now is to ride as many miles and hours as I possibly can. Then in a few months start adding a lot of core work. I think I need to start jogging too because there will be long stretches of the ride where I may have to hike my bike. Sometimes there is still snow on the ground and sometime the mud can be so bad you simply cannot ride.
Currently, I am averaging 10 hours a week of training. Each week I am bumping up my training by about 2 hours. In terms of mileage this averages out to about 160 to 200 miles a week. Weekly hours of training will be closer to 25 to 30 hours (or 400 to 500 miles) by the time I get within a month of the event. Last month I did 600 miles for the whole month. It is going to be super hard to keep up with training time but I have to do it so when I start my ride in June 2014 I know I did everything I could going into the ride.
With this training schedule there are times when I am riding in the early morning hours or evening hours and it is dark. The concept of riding in the dark isn't new to me. Years ago during my police career I trained a lot in the middle of the night. It's been about five years since I had to do this so it sort of fills new. I gain confidence from my past to not let fear get me when I am pedaling in the middle of the night or early in the morning hours to get my training done. This past Sunday was my first time out in the dark in a long time. My 1st hour was quite and cool. The moon hung high and bright in the sky. I have three flashing lights on the rear of my bike and a very bright headlight. I can see eyes glowing in the grass next to the road, I can hear air conditioning units humming alongside houses. I hear snuffling in the distance. Whimpers from dogs and mewling from the cows in the pastures. The ambient noise is low and you can hear everything. About an hour in you can hear the roosters crowing and start to see the light of a new day. The sun is just beginning to rise and the colors of the sky start to gradually fade from black to blue. Then you hear the birds starting to wake and begin their new day song. It is a unique experience to be out riding alone and witness this. I recommend you give it a try sometime.
Mountain biking trails in Houston, Tx are not at a high density. You have to travel to find the good ones. Today, Scottie and I are heading back to Bluff Creek Ranch to train. Its about an hour and half drive. We will aim for about 3 to 4 hours of saddle time and then head home. The plan for riding is to ride mountain at least twice a week. One ride is focused on distance and time in the saddle. The other I do intervals. Then the other three to four rides a week I ride on the road. I either use my road bike or my mountain bike. Soon, we will start to add weight to our bikes and get used to riding with about 40 pounds of gear. Then we will do some shake down rides. Where we ride really far away on gravel roads (hopefully) and then we set up camp. Then we tear down come home and think about what worked, what didn't work, and what do we need to change. Those want start until January of next year.
So, I am off to ride. Just wanted to put up another post. I am trying to do this weekly. Helps me stay focused and its exciting to share my thoughts with those of you reading about my journey.
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