Realisation!

Some sobering numbers

100 Miles
12 Hrs
10,000 ft overall climb
Offroad
Ave Speed req = 8mph

To give me the endurance to do this I need to have cycled what, maybe 800 training miles in 143 days? Marathon runners talk about running 10 x 3/4 distance in preparation for a 26 mile run, I have only run a 1/2 marathon once, it took me nearly 3hrs and I was beaten on the line by a giant pint of beer and a Camel. I am like the dwarf from Lord of the Ringpiece - Gimpli or whatever he was called, deadly over short distances, or built for comfort not speed.

I am not going to be Lance Armstrong, but I MUST finish in 11 hrs 59mins and the prospect of being thrashed by Mr Blobby on a mountain bike, doesn't fill me with joy.

Better plan this.

143 Days gives me 20 weeks, 4 sessions training sessions per week will give me 81 training rides. If I can average 3 x 10miles per ride on weekdays, and a bigger ride on Saturday/Sunday, I should be able to build the mileage Saturday/Sunday ride up to cover the course.

By breaking down the 100 Miler into 4 x 25 Mile sections and attacking these on the weekend I will gain some familiarity and be able to plot my speed.

In the absence of a better plan that will do.

However

1. Out for a friends birthday on Saturday night
2. Hangover and West Ham V Man Utd Sunday
3. Away from Bike Wed/Thurs - Hotel Gym here I come!

This will be a very tough thing to do.