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Century Planning

Bike Outing Planning and Training

• High Adventure may entail sustained 30-50 miles riding days and even a 50-100 ride.  The route may be paved and smooth or could be over rough terrain with a fully loaded bike carrying camp gear and food over hundreds of miles

• Biking High Adventure may be "easier" than a Backpacking High Adventure, but it's still going to be a challenge...if you do it right

• Considering what High Adventure might look like, you will need to plan for daily routes and train up so you can complete your journey

Pace

Pace varies a lot from rider to rider and is affected by the bike they are on, the terrain, weather and other factors.  These are some rough guidelines to help with planning. 

• A Level Road Ride

  • Accomplished and experienced cyclists

  • 15-17+ mph average

  • Distance between 35 to 50 miles or more

  • Long climbs are routine

  • Generally, one rest stop 

• B Level Road Ride

  • Accomplished cyclists

  • Average pace between 13-15 mph average

  • Distance between 20 to 35 miles

  • Some climbing depending on the route

  • Up to 15 miles between rest stops 

• C Level Road Ride

  • Experienced cyclists at easier pace

  • 10-12 mph average

  • Distance between 15 to 25 miles

  • Some rolling hills with no steep climbs

  • Rest stops as needed 

• Pace Planning for Outings

  • Road: 10mph

  • Gravel: 7mph

  • Trails: 5mph

  • First Year and Webelos: 5mph

High Adventure Training

• Plan to complete 300-400 miles of training prior to High Adventure

  • Training Rides should include rides between 25-50 miles

  • Mileage builds strength and endurance

  • Riders learn how to bond with their bike

    • Working out issues between you and your bike if vital

  • Riders learn how to bond with each other

    • This is the most important aspect of training

• Train for your Adventure

  • Include outings with similar terrain and gear as what you might see on High Adventure

    • Gravel Trails

    • Hills

    • Roads with traffic

    • BikePacking

      • High Adventure should NOT be your very first BikePacking outing

      • At least one big shak3out outing is required

      • 2 or more BikePacking trips prior to BikePacking High Adventure is recommended

Century Planning

• We're talking about 100 miles on a bike

• This requires a train up and a bit of a gut check

• This is biking's equivalent to running a marathon

  • It's not required for High Adventure

  • For Scouts and Adults interested in completing a Century, you will need to plan for and train up for such a challenge

Time to Complete Century

• Flat and in Good Shape

  • 5-7 hours

  • 15-20 miles per hour

• Headwind and/or a bit of Ups and Downs

  • 8-10 hours+

• Less Experienced Rider

  • 10-12 hours

Training for a Century

• Train-up can take many forms

• It should be lead by Adult who have completed Century Rides in the past

• A Century is something that most people can complete

  • But without training, proper hydration and properly fueling your body, it will seem impossible once you hit "THE WALL"

• We discuss Century Training on our Century Planning Page