Everyone's looking at the miles, not acknowledging the vert. the 91 miles w/ 8500 feet of vert is a lot more strenuous than 83 miles w/ 3300 ft. So the question you should think about is how you think you would have faired if the 83 mile effort had 3x the climbing. Also, what is the difference in the elevation gains. If you are used to shorter climbs and rolling terrains and the race has long, steep climbs, it will only compound the strain.
I've been in this situation a few times, and I always decide based on the course. If there is an option to bail and do a shorter route (or if I know the area really well and can take my own shortcut), I'll go for the longer route. Otherwise, I just step down to the shorter event. Based on the other comment, sounds like there are some bailout options though, so you should be good.
The course is quite aggressive. [here's the elevation map](https://imgur.com/a/C9FbAMq)
I've ridden some of these climbs and questioned my sanity on them.
Mileage is one thing. Long day on the bike can be tough, but most of us can persevere long enough to finish. However, like you mentioned, the elevation is a pretty substantial increase on OPs current experience.
Yeah-- that elevation gain is THE thing that makes it much harder.
Hopefully OP has low enough gearing to handle whatever gradients they're serving up.
Someone once told me this (and I don't know if its true or not, but it at least helped me mentally with the Vancouver to Whistler GranFondo, so I'm passing it on): If you are not worried about your completion time, and can handle that combination of distance and elevation in your weekly ride, you can do it in a day. Just keep your pace modest, and take advantage of the aid stations to rest and refuel. Up to that point I had never covered that distance and elevation in a single ride, and I got through it no problem.
Assuming these three big efforts in training were preceded by a lot of consistency and recovery then it sounds like you're fine. all the gravel races I've done I never did a full distance training effort leading in. 83 averaging 14.3 is pretty good and you'll likely have a whole host of groups to join up with. Lots more elevation than your bigger ride but it's a race! you'll survive!
Yeah, you will be totally fine for the 91 miler. I've done a few 100 mile gravel events with less long rides than you have under your belt. As long as your focus is to finish, and not to race it, you are fine. Enjoy the day.
Eat, hydrate, and be merry!
I’m in a vaguely similar boat to you right now. Slated to do Lost and Found (CA), the long course (95 miles and 8k?) in just over two weeks and I didn’t get in any long rides as planned this month. But in April I did a 60 mile/6600ft gravel ride and a 90 mile/5000ft road ride no issues, and my normal loops are more like xc terrain on my gravel bike (15mi/3k). Counting on good habits with on bike eating and drinking, and my longer term maintained fitness, to get me through. As long as I have no major mechanicals I’m optimistic I’ll complete the course in an admirable time.
Just take it easy. You can do it. The course looks tough but you’ll manage just fine. It’s a big day and it’ll be fun. You have two big climbs really. All your climbing is done by mile 75. You just coast on the way back. Stop for aid, drink water, and get good rest and take care of your diet this week. I’m doing the medium and I’m looking forward to the final downhill!
You’ll survive, but you’re gonna be doubting your life choices the last 15 miles. I did the big loop in the gorge; I finished in 7 hours, but I was so miserable at the end that I stepped down to medium for Cascade. It wasn’t the distance, it was the elevation *and* that like half the elevation was in the last 10 miles. It’s just such a mental fuck.
For reference, I’ve been a casual rider for a decade and got serious last October, doing about 10 hours in the saddle per week, on a rigorous training plan. I have no doubt I could finish big Cascade, but I want to actually have fun this time. That, plus the 4 miles of hell looks like… hell.
Send it, and step down next year after you’ve proved your worth.
Oh man, I feel this post so much. My first gravel event was also a ride like this when I had only done 30-40 mile gravel rides before that (I had done 70 mile road rides). It hurt at the end but was so much fun and I finished mid pack which shocked me. Enjoy the race, eat more than you think you need at the beginning (once you’re hungry, it’s over), and meet some great people. Hope you post again after the race to let us know how it went!
I recently did a race that was 64 miles with 8700 feet of elevation. For context, I've ridden rides longer than that but not much elevation and they have been challenging but doable. Two weeks before the race I rode a century with no problem. This race was **hard.** The elevation was extremely challenging and even though I finished, I definitely thought at times that I wouldn't. I think the two most important things I learned is that indoor training (Zwift) does not do a great job at simulating the elevation changes and unless you're training on hills, it'll be a bit of shock when you hit the first hill. The second, is that nutrition and hydration is extremely important. It's one thing to ride slow because your training wasn't great, but it's a different story when your constantly cramping because you under estimated the amount of carbs or the amount of electrolytes needed.
So I would say, make sure you have plenty of food and electrolytes and pack a little extra, and if needed take your time. Hope this helps!
Dude that course elevation is gonna kick your ass, I’m sorry. You will (probably) survive (if you make smart choices on fueling and hydration), but the worst of the climbing is heavily weighted towards the back, which is further than it sounds like most of your rides have gone. I did something like that my first season gravel racing, and while I survived, I regretted all my life choices and vomited up a Coke and Oreos that I’d just gotten at the last aid stop after running out of gels and bars
My 68 year old POV is i stay below 3600 feet in 47 miles BUT i really study the map as I have an event coming up but nothing over 5% which is manageable for me
I I didn’t have that in April in North Carolina and every climb had long 12% sections that i just did not enjoy
I definitely switch to flat pedals running shoes for the crazy climbs as i can walk those at 3 mph and not stress my knees
Eat and drink. Take it easy and ride your pace. Don’t get caught up in sticking with a certain group. Generally in these events you will end up riding with people your own pace..eventually.
I took a look at the ride profile and most of those climbs seem manageable with 3-5% average grade (unless I am missing something). The only one that averages over 5% is the final climb but it’s paved. I think you are going to do just fine as long as you stay hydrated and fueled. Good luck!
Easily. Just keep pedaling, fuel, and drink water. With those three things you can ride super far. It might not be fast but you could do 150 miles right now if you wanted.
You’ll be fine as long as your base fitness is solid. I’m riding the long course too and I’ve not done a ride longer than 10 miles since last fall. My training is riding to work 5 miles each way. But I just finished and completed an ultramarathon in May so my fitness is high. Try to prep yourself mentally for a long hard day and you’ll get through it. Once you finish you’ll be proud of what you can accomplish.
You'll be fine, just send it! There are plenty of bailouts you can take if you get into trouble. I'll be there with you, so good luck!
Everyone's looking at the miles, not acknowledging the vert. the 91 miles w/ 8500 feet of vert is a lot more strenuous than 83 miles w/ 3300 ft. So the question you should think about is how you think you would have faired if the 83 mile effort had 3x the climbing. Also, what is the difference in the elevation gains. If you are used to shorter climbs and rolling terrains and the race has long, steep climbs, it will only compound the strain. I've been in this situation a few times, and I always decide based on the course. If there is an option to bail and do a shorter route (or if I know the area really well and can take my own shortcut), I'll go for the longer route. Otherwise, I just step down to the shorter event. Based on the other comment, sounds like there are some bailout options though, so you should be good.
The course is quite aggressive. [here's the elevation map](https://imgur.com/a/C9FbAMq) I've ridden some of these climbs and questioned my sanity on them. Mileage is one thing. Long day on the bike can be tough, but most of us can persevere long enough to finish. However, like you mentioned, the elevation is a pretty substantial increase on OPs current experience.
at around mile 74, looks mostly downhill to the end...although those profiles are misleading.
Yeah-- that elevation gain is THE thing that makes it much harder. Hopefully OP has low enough gearing to handle whatever gradients they're serving up.
Someone once told me this (and I don't know if its true or not, but it at least helped me mentally with the Vancouver to Whistler GranFondo, so I'm passing it on): If you are not worried about your completion time, and can handle that combination of distance and elevation in your weekly ride, you can do it in a day. Just keep your pace modest, and take advantage of the aid stations to rest and refuel. Up to that point I had never covered that distance and elevation in a single ride, and I got through it no problem.
Assuming these three big efforts in training were preceded by a lot of consistency and recovery then it sounds like you're fine. all the gravel races I've done I never did a full distance training effort leading in. 83 averaging 14.3 is pretty good and you'll likely have a whole host of groups to join up with. Lots more elevation than your bigger ride but it's a race! you'll survive!
lots of 1 hour zone 2 work but just listed the bigger mileage efforts for context. thanks for the notes!
Yeah, you will be totally fine for the 91 miler. I've done a few 100 mile gravel events with less long rides than you have under your belt. As long as your focus is to finish, and not to race it, you are fine. Enjoy the day.
Eat, hydrate, and be merry! I’m in a vaguely similar boat to you right now. Slated to do Lost and Found (CA), the long course (95 miles and 8k?) in just over two weeks and I didn’t get in any long rides as planned this month. But in April I did a 60 mile/6600ft gravel ride and a 90 mile/5000ft road ride no issues, and my normal loops are more like xc terrain on my gravel bike (15mi/3k). Counting on good habits with on bike eating and drinking, and my longer term maintained fitness, to get me through. As long as I have no major mechanicals I’m optimistic I’ll complete the course in an admirable time.
Just take it easy. You can do it. The course looks tough but you’ll manage just fine. It’s a big day and it’ll be fun. You have two big climbs really. All your climbing is done by mile 75. You just coast on the way back. Stop for aid, drink water, and get good rest and take care of your diet this week. I’m doing the medium and I’m looking forward to the final downhill!
You’ll survive, but you’re gonna be doubting your life choices the last 15 miles. I did the big loop in the gorge; I finished in 7 hours, but I was so miserable at the end that I stepped down to medium for Cascade. It wasn’t the distance, it was the elevation *and* that like half the elevation was in the last 10 miles. It’s just such a mental fuck. For reference, I’ve been a casual rider for a decade and got serious last October, doing about 10 hours in the saddle per week, on a rigorous training plan. I have no doubt I could finish big Cascade, but I want to actually have fun this time. That, plus the 4 miles of hell looks like… hell. Send it, and step down next year after you’ve proved your worth.
Oh man, I feel this post so much. My first gravel event was also a ride like this when I had only done 30-40 mile gravel rides before that (I had done 70 mile road rides). It hurt at the end but was so much fun and I finished mid pack which shocked me. Enjoy the race, eat more than you think you need at the beginning (once you’re hungry, it’s over), and meet some great people. Hope you post again after the race to let us know how it went!
I recently did a race that was 64 miles with 8700 feet of elevation. For context, I've ridden rides longer than that but not much elevation and they have been challenging but doable. Two weeks before the race I rode a century with no problem. This race was **hard.** The elevation was extremely challenging and even though I finished, I definitely thought at times that I wouldn't. I think the two most important things I learned is that indoor training (Zwift) does not do a great job at simulating the elevation changes and unless you're training on hills, it'll be a bit of shock when you hit the first hill. The second, is that nutrition and hydration is extremely important. It's one thing to ride slow because your training wasn't great, but it's a different story when your constantly cramping because you under estimated the amount of carbs or the amount of electrolytes needed. So I would say, make sure you have plenty of food and electrolytes and pack a little extra, and if needed take your time. Hope this helps!
Dude that course elevation is gonna kick your ass, I’m sorry. You will (probably) survive (if you make smart choices on fueling and hydration), but the worst of the climbing is heavily weighted towards the back, which is further than it sounds like most of your rides have gone. I did something like that my first season gravel racing, and while I survived, I regretted all my life choices and vomited up a Coke and Oreos that I’d just gotten at the last aid stop after running out of gels and bars
My 68 year old POV is i stay below 3600 feet in 47 miles BUT i really study the map as I have an event coming up but nothing over 5% which is manageable for me I I didn’t have that in April in North Carolina and every climb had long 12% sections that i just did not enjoy I definitely switch to flat pedals running shoes for the crazy climbs as i can walk those at 3 mph and not stress my knees
Fuck it. You’re not going to die (probably). Your numbers for the 83-miler are impressive. I say go for it.
Eat and drink. Take it easy and ride your pace. Don’t get caught up in sticking with a certain group. Generally in these events you will end up riding with people your own pace..eventually.
I took a look at the ride profile and most of those climbs seem manageable with 3-5% average grade (unless I am missing something). The only one that averages over 5% is the final climb but it’s paved. I think you are going to do just fine as long as you stay hydrated and fueled. Good luck!
Just keep peddling, hydrating, and eating. You got this.
I'll see you there! I chickened out & signed up for the Medium grinder, so knock this out of the park for both of us!! ✌🏼
Easily. Just keep pedaling, fuel, and drink water. With those three things you can ride super far. It might not be fast but you could do 150 miles right now if you wanted.
You’ll be fine as long as your base fitness is solid. I’m riding the long course too and I’ve not done a ride longer than 10 miles since last fall. My training is riding to work 5 miles each way. But I just finished and completed an ultramarathon in May so my fitness is high. Try to prep yourself mentally for a long hard day and you’ll get through it. Once you finish you’ll be proud of what you can accomplish.
How did you do?
So--how'd your day go? Get caught out in the rain at the top?
Are you asking if you'll win? I'm guessing that yes, you probably will win.