The Mallorca 312 - Overthinking the ride

Discussion about the fear of riding an epic road race

The Mallorca 312 is what it says, 312km, in Mallorca. Everyone I’ve mentioned this to says, “in how many days?”. This is where it stings. 312km, not just in a day, but in an upper limit of 14-hours.

To complete the 312km in 14 hours, you must cycle at an average of 22 km/h. That doesn’t sound so bad. However, the 14 hours fully includes the wait at the start, and all stops. So, you’d need to assume that you must be riding at an average of 24-25 km/h.

Still doesn’t sound so bad? There is 4,627m of elevation.

So, why am I doing this again?

The longest I’ve cycled in a day is 300km, the London Revolution, several years ago. I’ve done many 100 miles and riding long distances over consecutive days. I’ve been thinking about a long, 200 mile / 300km ride.

The Mallorca 312 is the best you can do – it’s a closed road race, the weather in April should be good, and you can jump in the sea afterwards.What’s not to like about that?

I started training in October, and I got an online coach who gives me a weekly plan to work towards.More on this in my training blogs and review of having a coach.

I’m an over thinker.

I’ve read too much about the Mallorca 312, and thought far too much about it; and I’m worried about whether I can complete it in the 14-hours:

• What about wee stops?I need a wee at least every 2 hours, let’s assume that’s already 30 mins into my time.
• What if I am the slowest and I finish last
• What if I don’t make the cut-off times
• What if I’m too slow up the climbs
• What if the downhills are too steep
• What if everyone else is in a group and I’m the only one riding alone
• What if I’m the only woman there
• What if I’m the slowest and everyone overtakes me
• How am I going to feel, what if I can’t physically make it

SHUT UP BRAIN.

I’ve spoken to a few friends and family about these feelings, and many reactions are “but you’re just there to enjoy it, it doesn’t matter”.

Yes, it does. If I wanted to be there and enjoy a 312km, I would go out and ride 312km at my leisure. But nobody in their right mind would do that.

My partner however, tells me off and says that if I think I’m going to fail, I will fail. Annoyingly he’s right. You can’t go into an epic event like this, assuming you will fail. You have to go into it thinking you will succeed, and what it will feel like when you cross that line after 312km, within the 14 hours.

But, how do you get there?

I’ve not worked that bit out yet, watch this space.