The Definitive Book for Distance Cyclists

More and more cyclists are testing the limits of their endurance. Metric centuries are giving way to century rides. Century rides turn into double metrics. Double metrics are turning into double centuries—and many riders take it even farther than that.

The definitive text to help you prepare and execute a long-distance ride is Distance Cycling: Your Complete Guide to Long-Distance Rides by John Hughes and Dan Kehlenbach. The 260-page book leaves no stone unturned in gathering information for distance cyclists of all levels of experience and skill.

This book is written to aid cyclists who are looking to tackle long-distance rides ranging from 100K metric centuries to 1,200K brevets and beyond (though a large portion of the book is dedicated to 100-mile century rides and 124-mile double metrics).

More: 12 Training Tips for an Ultra-Distance Ride

The book is structured conveniently to be not only a front-to-back book, but a reference guide you can keep handy. The book covers:

• How to choose the right event.
• Base building and baseline conditioning.
• Nutrition, both on the bike and off the bike.
• The proper way to prepare, including gear and clothing.
• Training plans for a variety of distances.
• Day-of tips for century rides, double metrics, double centuries and more.
• How to tweak your approach for multi-day tours.
• Surviving in the self-sustaining world of randonneuring.

The book is jam-packed with information, but done so in a way that's easy on the eyes. There are tons of charts, tables, questionnaires, photos, bullet points, and more.

The authors behind the book come loaded with credibility. John Hughes is a veteran distance cyclist, having twice completed the Race Across America and serving for 12 years as managing director of the UltraMarathon Cycling Association. He teamed up with Dan Kehlenbach, a cycling coach and strength and conditioning coach who has written for UltraCycling magazine among other publications.

As your distance cycling career gets started—maybe with a metric century coming up—this book can remain a valuable asset as your goals expand. That's the great thing about endurance sports—there's always a longer distance waiting for you. With Distance Cycling, that next step is more attainable than ever.

More: 12 Common Century Ride Mistakes