big trip

Question
Hello, I have a question about preparing for a big trip I have to make soon.  I need to ride a mountain bike about 35 miles on roads to a city and then ride back home 35 miles the next day.  I have about 40 days before I have to do this and I wanted to know what would be the best way to properly prepare my body for this trip.  I am young and I have lots of biking experience but all of my biking has been down hill and free style biking so I am not sure what to expect from this trip.  I did not want to just go to the gym and ride the exercise bike all day because I figured I may only wear myself out without making any head way.  I think I mostly need to work on stamina but I am unsure how to target just stamina while exercising.  Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Steven  

Answer
Good to hear from you.  

35 miles doesn't seem real far to me, but it depends on road conditions and wind direction.  Head winds can make things harder while tail winds make it real easy.  

In my opinion, the best way to prepare is to bike around in your local area and see how it feels.  Your stamina will increase.  You might find yourself biking 35 miles in a good afternoon ride, just riding around in your area.  It's much more interesting than riding a stationary bike.  

Of course it depends on the area plus it depends on the weather in your area.  Some towns and cities are not real bicycle friendly.  Others are great.  If you have a system of bike paths near your area, that can be wonderful.  Roads with good shoulders are nice.  If those aren't available, at least roads with light traffic help.  Many cities publish bicycle maps of their cities.  Then you can find routes that are along the better roads and trails.  

Some routes and loops may be on mostly good roads, but there are segments that are less good that you have to go through just to complete the route.  Usually it's not too bad.  

Also local bike clubs can help.  Some have group rides where people get together and go for a ride.  

Here in Bellingham, we have a group ride that leaves once a week.  It gathers in front of a local bike shop.  It's called "The Doughnut Ride."  They go out for doughnuts.  

Some group rides might be paced too fast.  Others go slower for beginners, families with kids along and so forth.  

I usually just go by myself and don't participate in group rides.  Some of the rides can be a bit intimmidating and competitive, but others are for a wide rainge of riders.

Anyway, good luck with your ride.  Probably the best way to get ready is to ride around in your area.  I don't know what city or part of the world you are in.  Hopefully, your area is ridable.  

For fitness, I also like dancing.  35 miles doesn't seem that long to me.  I will often do around 70 miles a day during my bicycle touring.

Check out my seb site if you wish.
http://www.theslowlane.com

Happy cycling.