cycling spokane forum

 I'm hoping to do the Tour of Pain, even though I don't remember the date off the top of my head. Anyone else interested? My thoughts on training for it are getting in a 120 mile ride (minimum)  about 7 days before hand. Somewhere I heard about a 60-percent rule, where one should ride at least 60 percent of the desired length, time, elevation or whatever within a reasonable time before the targeted ride. I've decided a week is a reasonable time. Any less time and I don't think there would be enough recovery. Of course, I'll need to work up to the 120 miles by getting in roughly 75 miles about a week before that and at least a 50 miler the week before that. Anyone else feeling as stupid as I am?

One thing you should think about is the course. The route is is basically flat which requires hours and hours of spinning. As strange as it sounds flat courses can be tough because of the pedalling monatony.  As for the training, I am an advocate for training fast and racing slow. Before last years ToP I did fast rides to CDA and back (80 miles). I would try and average 4 mph faster than what I was planning on riding during the 200 miler. Riding slower than normal and eating more than normal always gets me through long days. 

 I've heard the same thing you say about flat courses, I think mostly in relation to rides such as RAGBRAI or whatever the ride across Iowa is called. I'll have to take a better look at the course and see what's up with it (poor pun intended) when it comes to the ups and downs.

Cancelled.  Bummer.

http://cdabrewing.com/tourofpain.html

 That's too bad. I wasn't able to get ready to do it, though I wish I had. I wonder what it takes to pull something like this off? I suspect more than one man and one sponsor. Even if the registration is a bit steep the vest would make up for it.