Longest Training Ride for OLY

davidson3 - 2009-08-09 8:50 PM I have my first OLY on 8/30.  This week will be my last to do any significant riding as we are going to France from 8/18-8/26.  I have done 2 rides of 2+hours(35-37 miles) in the last 3 weeks.  My Plan calls for a 155min ride this week.  My SO would rather I were home in 90-115 min. 

Do you think I "need" this 40+ mile ride, or would a hard 27-30 mile ride be adequate?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

IdealMuse - 2009-08-10 12:53 AM Yeah there's not a big difference there in distances. My longest last summer for my Oly was 42 miles, but this summer I haven't done more then 20 and my tri is in 3 weeks. I'd worry about it but I'm working with a group and just following the plan as told. None of our bikes have been over an hour and a half.

RedCorvette - 2009-08-10 11:23 AM

Just do a few runs up Alpe d'Huez while you're in France...

Mark

blairrob - 2009-08-10 7:30 PM

Do a real ride.

<----------/   the Ventoux

davidson3 - 2009-08-10 12:05 AM


I saw that you are doing the Chicago OLY.  I am too!  It will be my first OLY.  2 Sprints this year. 

How was it last year?  Is Monroe Harbor protected?  Is LSD really that bad?

IdealMuse - 2009-08-10 6:42 PM I enjoyed it a lot last year I wasn't exactly speedy, but it went fairly well. Monroe Harbor isn't too bad it's behind a break wall I think so there isn't much in the way of waves. Temperature varies so wetsuit is a good idea. The swim is along the wall there so sighting is easy. Hm, LSD did have it's issues but it wasn't as bad as I had imagined or heard. Just keep your eyes peeled because people do lose water bottles etc on the course. I've heard they paved some of the north section this year so maybe it won't be as bad as you've heard. Mostly I had to watch out for the "cracks" in the road more so then potholes. If there is a big pothole most of them time they will mark it. Enjoy your first Oly!! Its a Huge race make sure you walk transition and have a good idea of where your bike is in relation to the enter/exits.

mattb1 - 2009-08-11 11:20 AM

You'll be fine with your long ride.  As for Monroe Harbor, it is one of the calmest swims you'll ever do.  As was said it is behind a break wall and completely sheltered.  Depending on what the lake does that week it can be anywhere from 60 - 75 degree.  Bring a wetsuite

LSD is rough in patches.  There are a couple of significant bumps around Belmont on the southbound portion.  They rattle my car pretty well.  Keep an eye out for those.  Also in places there are some gaps in the pavement between the lanes (remember you will be in the 2 most left lanes and will pass on the right, opposite of most races).  LSD has been repaved from Irving Park to Hollywood.  It is nice and smooth there.  The biggest issue is that there are so many participants that the bike course gets jammed.  You need to really be careful when passing to avoid collisons.  Good luck.