Can a novice ride 330 miles in two days?

[AJ101]

Can a 35 year old novice bike rider, who hasn't ridden in years, who's had two heart attacks, ride 330 miles in two days with just a month to get ready for it?
Asking because self styled playboy of instagram is going to try it, or risk losing a bet of $600k.

Personally I don't think it's a good idea, as experienced riders we can all work out the mph and a pacing strategy but for a complete novice? I'm not so sure. I'm just thinking of when I started out, just riding down to Brighton from London was a huge feat in itself and that wasn't without the ride back being even mentioned. Never mind doing that and more, for two days.

Just thinking if you took the average man down the pub and said here this time next month go and ride 330 miles in two days what the outcome would be?

[fastpedaller]

No

[Mark1978]

It would be an exceptionally bad idea. After 1 month you might just be working up to doing 30 mile rides if everything goes well. 2 X 115 miles? No way.

[Vantage]

I'd have said yes if they were flat miles. He'd be sore afterwards but doable.
But with 11000 feet of climbing? Doubtful. I wouldn't say impossible though.

[Paulatic]

I think not from someone who's already had 2 heart attacks at the age of 35. Not a good base to start from.

[Paulatic]

That's 2x165 Mark

[Vorpal]

If his GP and heart specialist say it's okay? Why not have a go?

I've know people in reasonable health to do things like that. It is likely to be painful, even if it's possible. With the heart history, though, IMO, it's too big a risk without medical sanction.

[pwa]

I'd say the average not-too-unfit bloke on the street could do that if they really wanted to. A month is a bit less time than I would recommend for preparation, but probably doable.

But the heart problem is a big concern. That takes it beyond the calculations of armchair pundits like me.

[thornie1543]

'After 1 month you might just be working up to doing 30 mile rides if everything goes well',really,only 30 miles? ,anyway maybe he will have a heart attack and do a live broadcast from his hospital bed,that would give him the attention he desperately craves.

[beardy]

Not impossible.

former US Navy Seal trainee

It all depends on why he never made it through the training, was it because he was all image and no staying power?

THIS IS NOT A MEDICALLY QUALIFIED OPINION.
The heart problem should not be that pertinent because such a ride should be very carefully paced and ridden without any peaks of exertion, just a steady, relentless, refusal to quit.

There are a few 200k Audaxes available with that amount of climbing, so while not flat it isnt super-hilly either.

[PH]

I'd say doable if starting out with reasonable fitness and some experience in endurance events. With 10 hours off the bike it's an average speed of less than 7mph. He has a month to get comfortable on the bike, that rather than fitness will I think decide it.
The heart issue is unknown, previous heart problems may or may not have an effect on current health.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
11,000 feet in 330 miles is 30' / mile, which is not even noticeable, its gets hard above 70' / mile.
IF he has cycled before then he has a great advantage over one who has not.
The heart thing might well of been a drug related thing and if the heart specialist says there is no damage then ignore that being a factor.


I remember when I picked up cycling after a five year break, my third 20 mile cycle in the week was faster, because you have done it before you know how to pace yourself which is where most newbies go wrong, that and the sportives mantra of a few jells in your pocket for several hours riding

I'd take the money

Unsupported would be different for him, I guess ooodles of support with food / bike maintenance?

[old_windbag]

Thats quite a challenge but when I looked at his photo it was the opposite of what my mind had conjured up. He's pretty slim and looks in good shape, the two heart attacks could put many off the scent a bit, we don't know the background to those. If his heart is undamaged and his GP approves I guess he has a reasonable chance. The downside is that 165 miles per day on even flattish roads still requires quite a high average speed for a person with little training or hours in the saddle. Even on a super lightweight racing bike( and with the money they're betting, it will be ) to average 11mph for 15hrs.... he's going to know about it especially after two days of that. I'd put the odds definitely in favour of winning the money but it'll take plenty of determination which with his US navy seals background etc he'll have had drilled into him. I always associate people from special forces as having phsycopathic personalities in that they'll do anything to survive/succeed. I'll get told off for that statement I'm sure.
Lets see a 600k bet for a 30 stone untrained couch potato to do the same distance in the same time( with or without previous heart attacks ) then we'd need to be concerned I feel.

[Mick F]

Can't be bothered to read the whole thing ................. but yes, of course he can.
48 hrs to do 330 nigh-on flat miles?
No probs, even for a novice ............. but it'll hurt and he'll be tired at the end.

You need a good bike suited to riding all that way. You need support and food and water, and someone to fix something if it breaks. Maybe even a spare bike. You need a positive attitude, a good route, and be prepared to take your time and spend most of your time trundling along rather than racing at it.

Remember, cycling is easier than walking.

[rmurphy195]

Not without medical advice, I would have thought, given the health problems. As for the rest,depends on the level of overall fitness at the outset