Help me pace my upcoming 600k brevet.
I've been off the IM trail for 18 months now, enjoying delving into the world of randonneuring. Did a full series last year (200, 300, 400, 600) plus a 1000k event, then kept right on rolling and garnered an R-12 award (12 consecutive months of at least one 200k brevet). This year I've already completed another full series, this one filled with all the nasty climbing New England could offer. This weekend holds the inaugural North Country 600, replete with 25,000 feet of climbing.
Although I've completed two 600s now, I don't feel accomplished at the distance. Near the end I'm reduced to tatters, barely able to hold 55% of FTP, suffering and barely able to choke down badly-needed calories. I do strive to moderate early on, despite the siren call of the fast-moving early bunch. I seem to ride these events just like an IM: slow uphill, moderating watts, then descending like a falcon, scooping up all the "speedy" hill-climbers.
Would I be better off putting a hard cap on watts? Some of the climbing is truly steep, requiring stout efforts to get up and over. I'm running a 48-34 up front and an 11-32 on the rear. I've got a good handle on electrolytes, caloric needs, and "undercarriage interface".
Any advice/insight would be appreciated.
P.S. Go over to Boston Brevets, clink on the Vermont 600 to see the course profile; multiple Category One climbs!
Comments
just wrote you a nice response and then my server shut down and i lost it all!
anyway, here's a more concise summary:
-pace: review your power files and note the trend in power. where did it start to decline and to what %? if you ended up at 55%, then you could start the 600k there and slowly ramp up, following your typical trend. this way at least you are finishing strong vs. tattered.
-gearing: looks good, but you are doing so many of these, that you could do as i do (and rich does when there is major climbing looming) and get a rear mtn derailleur, which will allow you to as high as 36 on the cassette. for shimano 7800 sti DA 10-speed shifters, get a 9 speed shimano mtn derailleur. it's what i have and it works, venthough most mechanics will panic and say otherwise. my friend has a similar set up with SRAM stuff. if you want details let me know.
-riding style: the way you approach the hills and descents is right on, so no need to change that.
hope this helps and good luck!!!
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Lynne,
The rando-world is the antithesis of triathlon: low fees, tiny fields, zero support, no finish-line hoopla. And a load of really friendly folks eager to help the newbie succeed. Give it a shot, at least try a populaire for a long training ride.
I rode the rando version of our Olympics this past August: Paris-Brest-Paris, a 1230k brevet, the grandaddy of them all. It was one the finest and hardest things I've ever done. I think about it every day, even now. And I'm still recovering from the effects of the ordeal. Fun! I'd do it again in a minute.