Beginner distances

[snorri]

I'm trying to think of a way to make it easier for you.
All the signs over there are metric, so it would make good sense to convince your friend to embrace metrication and cycle 60Km instead of 60 miles every day. That would save a lot of time and effort in converting miles/kilometres, and also be 23 miles less to cycle every day.

 

[italiafirenze]

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.

I was going to say if you are young then you would be fine. You'd suffer a bit but you'd be fine. But if it's not a road bike then I very much suspect you'll be doing more than 60 miles per day in terms of effort and might start to struggle.

 

[ricechrisb]

The 60 mile distance is the upper range for each day, but not much wrong. I should say that these distances are' must do' because they are the places of interest. I will have to think about all this carefully.

 

[BrumJim]

TBH, your best bet is doing the commute. London doesn't have any big hills, so even the longest ascent of the tallest hill should be within your capabilities, and there are so many cyclists in London that you have some comrades to help dissipate the fear.

Seriously, if you get up to a couple of commutes a week at that distance, 60 miles for three days will be fun.

 

[MattHB]

Train! You'd be surprised on how fit you can get in a short time if you're sensible

 

[guitarpete247]

When is this ride? How long have you got to get fit for it? Get out when you can and increase your distances. If you have a few months and you are reasonably fit you should be alright. Try going off with the others who will be on the trip after you have upped your distance a bit to see how you do. If you have a day or two to get over the better.

 

[bucksgill]

I'm approximately your age and got my first bike just under 3 weeks ago. On my first ride I had to stop 3 times doing a 6 miler. Yesterday I did 40.8 miles. In the meantime I've done about 5/6 13-17 milers a 24 and a 32 prior to yesterdays record. Believe me its really easy to get fit, I had no fitness what so ever beforehand. Just do your commute a few times a week and take it from there.

Also, get padded cycling shorts

 

[ricechrisb]

Haha, ok, thanks guys. Very helpful. I'll do my best, and duly noted on the shorts!

 

[smutchin]

London doesn't have any big hills, so even the longest ascent of the tallest hill should be within your capabilities

Central London is pretty flat but there are some proper hills around the edges.

My regular commute takes me up Fountain Drive in Dulwich, which admittedly isn't that much of a hill for a fit cyclist but would be a reasonable challenge for someone who hasn't ridden a bike for 20 years. And there are a few bigger hills than that - Shooters Hill is another that I do occasionally. I find it quite manageable but it's a significant climb.

d.

 

[ricechrisb]

Yeah, I would have to ride from Beckenham up either Anerley Hill or the northeast side of Crystal Palace Park, that is one hell of a climb for a beginner - about a 65m climb in perhaps a third of a mile. It's a much steeper climb doing the route in reverse. Still, I could give it a pop, perhaps.

 

[BrumJim]

Yeah, I would have to ride from Beckenham up either Anerley Hill or the northeast side of Crystal Palace Park, that is one hell of a climb for a beginner - about a 65m climb in perhaps a third of a mile. It's a much steeper climb doing the route in reverse. Still, I could give it a pop, perhaps.

Nope, sorry, smaller than Mucklow Hill. Tough? Yes. Too much? No. Just take it steadily, and it'll give you the strength and endurance that you will need.

Proper hills round London? Try Sheffield, Lancaster, Bath, Bristol, Leeds, Durham. I've stood by Alexander Palace, and on top of that hill in Windsor. Neither are particularly big, but you can see for miles and I didn't see any hills.

North downs? Possibly. South downs? Certainly. Chilterns - now that is getting better. Its all a matter of perception. Norwich cyclists probably think that the climb up into Ely is a bit of a challenge, but those in Truro would probably have difficulty working out if it us up or downhill.

 

[lukesdad]

Sheffield,Lancaster,Bath, Bristol,Leeds and Durham ? Nah they re not proper hills. ( Substitutes Brecon, Carmarthen, Aberwystwth, Abergavenny and Rhadayer) Proper hills.

 

[ricechrisb]

Muclow Hill?

Well you should have been able to see the Norwood ridge I'm referring to from up there as it's 10m higher than Ally Pally, in the far south, with the two prominent television masts.

I agree, I know it's not that big at all but it's more how the roads attack these 'bumps' (as in I've seen buses sliding backwards down them with just a small coating of snow). I fully understand that practice would be needed.

 

[BrumJim]

Muclow Hill?

Sorry - Mucklow Hill - now corrected. Google it.

Check the elevations out using, e.g. Bike Hike (www.bikehike.co.uk) or Bikely.

Just encouraging you. At your current position, 60 miles is going to be painful. However with a bit of training, encouragement, and MTFU attitude, not only will 60 miles on three consecutive days be do-able, but will be fun too. So you'll have a great time with friends and be able to look back on it with a smile.

 

[ricechrisb]

Thanks for that tool, that's handy. Yeah, 109m Crystal Palace, 30m where I begin, 25m where I finish. 13.4 miles each way. That doesn't sound too awful really. It would be slower than my current commute but not by much. And ENORMOUSLY cheaper!