Beginner distances

[ricechrisb]

Hi all,

My friend has invited me on a 3 day cycling trip around the Low Countries. I haven't cycled more than a mile or two in the past 20 years so my muscles are completely unused to it. The distances he's quoting come out at around 60 miles per day. Is that generally regarded ok for someone young and physically fine, or is that too much for a beginner like me even on flat Belgian/Dutch terrain?

One problem is that I don't have any time at all to practice in advance of this trip. The other folk in the group cycle regularly so I expect they will be ok with those distances and the necessary pace.

Chris

 

[BrumJim]

Sorry, but there is no way of getting round the fact that you will need to build up your fitness in advance of the trip.
One day? Maybe. But on day 2 your legs will have seized up, and you'll have difficulty getting to the bike, let alone riding it.

 

[ianrauk]

Agree with BrumJim. That's a tough call for someone who hasn't cycled in 20 years.

 

[Rob500]

Sounds far too much for a beginner tbh Chris. 60 miles a day for 3 days is a lot of work.

 

[ricechrisb]

Thanks guys, I suspected as much. I might arrange my own smaller itinerary then as I really want to join them.

 

[fossyant]

Get out there and start riding. You need to be able to cycle about 40 miles in one go before tackling this. Nothing like being prepared. You might do it, but you'd sure hack the others off if you can't keep up on day 2 or three.

 

[ricechrisb]

That's one of my main concerns. Unfortunately just don't have any spare time to build up the miles as I'm part-time studying, full-time working, and planning my wedding! Maybe later in the year I can get out there and do a different trip. Or, I get some bionic legs now and have a great time in March...

 

[Beebo]

Even if your legs were super fit, if your bum is not saddle hardened you would suffer hugely on the 2nd and 3rd day.

 

[Edwards80]

Can you commute on the bike? Chances are you will enjoy it. Maybe then you will want to make time to get some more riding in

I've been doing 100 miles a week commuting for 2 months and did my first longish ride on Saturday, it was only 24 miles. I was by no means in pain on Sunday but I wouldn't have wanted to ride very far! I'd put myself in the "Young and Physically fine" bracket too.

I'm pretty sure 3 days of 60 miles each will need some working towards!

 

[smutchin]

What exactly is the necessary pace? How much of the day do you intend to spend on the bike? Covering 60 miles over the course of a whole a day isn't a big deal. Sure, it'll be tiring if you're not used to it but far from impossible if you take it at a gentle pace (10mph) with regular breaks. But if your companions want to go at a more "sporty" pace (14mph+), you'll find it impossible to keep up for more than an hour or so - even if you're generally quite fit, you're not "cycling fit" (in the same way that I'm not "running fit" - I can ride a bike at a decent pace all day, but running more than a few miles is totally beyond me).

Aside from the distance, what bike you ride is at least as important a consideration. If you're not used to being in the saddle of a proper road bike for a full day, you'll find it pretty uncomfortable. But then a more comfortable bike will probably be slower (heavier and less aerodynamic), so that brings its own problems.

I wouldn't rule it out completely, but I'd agree with fossyant that you need to try at least one ride of 40 miles or more (at the same kind of pace as you'd expect on the trip) to get a realistic idea of whether or not you'll be able to manage it.

d.

 

[ricechrisb]

Ha! I didn't even think about saddlesores...

The commute to work would be about 14 miles each way, and includes the longest ascent of the tallest hill in London so I'd probably better not right away. Plus cycling in Central London scares the living **** out of me.

Ok, so the consensus is that I definitely need to either a) get some miles under my belt beforehand or b) cycle much smaller distances on this trip.

As for the type of bike I'd be on - I haven't a clue right now, it would be hired in Rotterdam apparently.

 

[HLaB]

If you can get some training in, 3x60 (what I assume) flat miles will be doable but given what you suggest above at the moment it'd be beyond you and wouldn't be pleasurable what you could do. You suggest however time for training may be hard to find but depending where you are in the world it may be more efficient to commute by bike. It often can be quicker or not much longer than a commute by other means and is far more reliable. Another thing I did when writing my dissertation (although not perfect) was to set a turbo up in my room jump on for 5 or 10minutes and get back to the study (but I was just maintaining fitness).

 

[smutchin]

Ha! I didn't even think about saddlesores...

It's not just saddle sores you need to worry about - your hands, wrists, neck and back will suffer if you're not used to the lower profile position of a road bike. Not to mention your legs, which will hurt just from using them in a way you're not used to for an extended period every day...

Not trying to put you off, mind!

d.

 

[ricechrisb]

It's not going to be a road bike, it'll be far more leisurely I expect. Don't worry, none of you have put me off, just put me more in tune with the reality of what I can expect.

 

[Nearly there]

A sore arse(saddle sore) and trips to the toilet will be difficult unless you get used to cycling