Going the (ultra) distance: a 500 km bike ride

[@andrewcollie]

Sometimes, no matter how well you prepare, it's just not going to be your day. But as we say in English, "c'est la vie!"

[@Rabber83-ki9ge]

Take Aerobars ! 😃

[@eagerbob]

Bummer that your plan did not work out. Must say that it was quite an ambitious goal, for both distance AND time/speed. Headwind on the return trip of a loop is killing. It sucks out all your energy. Still, a brave attempt and epic ride you won't quickly forget...

[@paperjourni8964]

did you try to make the jump from 200km to 500km? that is huge. Perhaps a good choice to turn around instead of pushing it. Great weather though! 😅

[@jeffreyt002]

love the video. can you share the route? strava or komoot would be lovely. Would like to try it my self, if thats oke ofcourse

[@ABiketoEscape]

Thank you! This is the route www.komoot.com/tour/1291037613 I'd probably change a bit the part in Friesland to make it more flowing. The missing part is passing near Zwolle, then follow the coastline and go south to go around Amersfoort, basically reach the river Lek a bit west of Utrecht, and then follow it till you get back to Rotterdam

[@Paul_C]

You might try to take a page from those who do that on a regular basis. It might be helpful to contact those with the experience. You couldn't figure out where you went wrong, right? Seem to remember various other riders who simply went into a store and bought food. As for flat tires, are you sure tubeless is the right way to go? Easier to carry a repair kit.

[@ABiketoEscape]

For sure the last 3 weeks of training were not optimal, I should have just went for 500 when I did the 200 km ride (the previous video). However, now that I see the data, excluding end of July that was my absolute peak form to date, this ride was the best I've ever done. My fastest century, my fastest 100 km, my fastest 200 km. Up until the 1 hour break for the flat tyre, I was perfectly on track with plan (even considering the road interruptions etc.). So yes, better training in the last stretch, if anything to gain more confidence, some more practice in changing my tyres (I put new ones on the day before to not get any flats, ironically... and the tool snapping did not help). Another thing I will need is normal food, while I was perfectly fine with calories etc, I would probably switch a few of the gels and bars with a sandwich

[@ivankooo84]

Well done bro! It doesn't matter if you didn't make it now, you'll do it next time 🍀 even the 600km brevet has a time limit of 40 hours and you wanted to do this within one day :) btw... I guess you have Fulcrum Racing 618 wheels on Bianchi Aria (it comes usually with these). Don't be surprised that putting the tire back on the rim was pain in the @ss 😎 I know how it felt... I even damaged my front wheel when I was putting the tire back for the first time.. These are tubeless ready and a bit wider - at least I think it's because of this 🤷‍♂ and less focus on power, numbers etc. and more focus on just riding and fueling... Ask any randonneur :) wish you all the best for the future rides and in general ofc

[@ABiketoEscape]

Good to know that it was not just me having problems with those. Already when I put them on the first time the day before it took quite some effort! I've now bought a tyre glider and I must say it does the job as advertised: changed both tyres in less than 2 minutes. I highly recommend it!

[@wjp555]

Ah man, gutted for you. You know what to do get back on the saddle and ride some more. Perhaps a few 300km+200km weekends and then 500km is basically the same thing with less sleep 🙂 I've just requested leave so I can come and do Fietselfstedentocht. I think I need to do that and not die before I even think about 500km stuff.

[@ABiketoEscape]

Thank you! I have already made a training plan to try again in the spring (which includes changing my tyres confidently, even if it seems impossible now)

[@itsmywaytobuildbody4787]

Bro I am 28 can persue my bycycle dream to become national player

[@andrewwyton539]

Did you ever try again?

[@ABiketoEscape]

Not yet, external circumstances didn't favour the training

[@andrewwyton539]

@@ABiketoEscape damn. You’ve got this! I just did it Thursday and Friday in 20 hours and 55 minutes. Putting together a video now (on my page Andrew Wyton) Thanks for the inspo anyways man!