Bitten off a little more than I can currently chew

[Cathryn]

So I've agreed to cycle 100 miles with my son (14) tomorrow from Marlborough to London. He's dying to do his first century. It will be my second, about 12 years after the first. I'm nowhere near as fit as I'd like to be and I've not done a load of exercise in the pas 10 days due to a (now healed) foot injury. We are committed to this because we have a non-refundable Premier Inn booked and my son is so excited.

I know I can do 60 quite comfortably. I reckon I could do 70 without too much distress. But those final 30?

I don't need any grown-up advice about how this isn't a great idea. Instead, I need all your best advice about how to get through this without falling apart. Thanks in advance.

 

[ianrauk]

Just take your time. Don't push yourself. Eat and drink at regular intervals. Just take it easy and enjoy the ride.

 

[figbat]

Pacing yourself is important, as is feeding yourself. I found that I set off at my normal pace and had to rein it in to allow for the extra distance. Don’t be too proud to stop for a rest.

 

[Drago]

As Ian says. Pace yourself, stay hydrated, keep nibbling little and often.

 

[Specialeyes]

I always put my Garmin in battery saver mode as it turns the screen off and stops me obsessing about distance covered/remaining

Don't do a 100-mile ride, do a 40-mile ride followed by two 30-mile rides (mentally, at least). You can do those distances without breaking sweat.

Enjoy the time with your son - it's wonderful that you can do this together.

 

[Cathryn]

Just take your time. Don't push yourself. Eat and drink at regular intervals. Just take it easy and enjoy the ride.

That was my theory too. Go slow, eat a lot, get the teenager to carry all the stuff. My husband is on sherpa duty too.

 

[Cathryn]

Pacing yourself is important, as is feeding yourself. I found that I set off at my normal pace and had to rein it in to allow for the extra distance. Don’t be too proud to stop for a rest.

Thank you - we live for rest stops so that's not a problem

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Get an early start if you can. Keep the effort manageable. Break it down into 2-3 hour chunks and don’t think beyond each chunk. Maybe have a cafe or stop after each chunk. Remember you have all day and the Premier
Inn will still be there no matter what time you get there.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

I always put my Garmin in battery saver mode as it turns the screen off and stops me obsessing about distance covered/remaining

Don't do a 100-mile ride, do a 40-mile ride followed by two 30-mile rides (mentally, at least). You can do those distances without breaking sweat.

Enjoy the time with your son - it's wonderful that you can do this together.

That's pretty much exactly what I was about to say. You've said you can do 60 miles, so 30 before breakfast, then another short 30 before dinner will be a nice stretch for the 40 taking you to tea time.

Relax, and enjoy your time with the youngster.

 

[Dogtrousers]

The longest ride I ever did was an Audax that had the rather brilliant route design feature that the half way stop was actually two thirds of the way through, so the second half was a lot shorter than the first.

Enjoy it, I'm sure you will.

 

[cisamcgu]

Start early, rest often and always go downhill

 

[raleighnut]

Don't stress about it, you'll only tense up and have to work harder. My advice would be start off gently for the first 5-10 miles just to ease into it

 

[Jody]

Keep tucked in on your sons back wheel

 

[T4tomo]

That was my theory too. Go slow, eat a lot, get the teenager to carry all the stuff.

exactly this, plus sit on his wheel - but make sure he doesn't go to fast.

 

[Mburton1993]

Anadin Extra and hope for a tail wind.