For me 200km is a long way. And the course closes at 5pm so no chance to just take it easy and pedal it in.
What's going to help me?
- Know the challenge
- Prepare the bike and rider
- Taper towards the event
200km and 1,300 meters of climbing. The Epic riders have to start before 8am (its a rule) but there is no mention of cut-offs around the route (most Italian events will have a gate to stop slow people going on the long route).
But there is a suggested 5pm deadline. So that makes 9 hours to do 200km = 22.5kph average - sounds doable but the course is hilly - not a flat bit anywhere:
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Comments on blogs/forums confirm the challenge of the course is this rolling profile.
Plan - don't go too hard up the first two tall bits as you're going to need your climbing legs all the way through! Just in case things go well - Gold standard for the Epic is anything under 8hrs
2) Prepare the bike and rider - bike is set up from last Sunday's Cheshire Cat. The real preparation is for the rider - weather is going to be hot so suncream and an extra water bottle is required - I plan to take 2 large bottles on the bike and then a 3rd in a back pocket so I can drink as much as I like without ever running out. This kind of distance is going to be done on food and drink - run out of either and you will fail.
3) Taper - I've done 150km of riding so far this week, and could easily do a bit more today and Saturday - but I won't. I'm storing up the energy and fully recovering from the training so I'll be super-ready for Sunday.
That's it. Wish me luck!