Building up to long distance

[raleighnut]

The secret is to pace yourself, not go all out for 10 miles then struggle. I find the best routes are those that take 30-40 miles to get to a nice pub about 3-4 miles from home then have a pint (or 3) and a bite to eat.

 

[screenman]

I don't know all the roads within about a mile of here 50 miles covers all of London

Could you go out and not find your way back easily, I know I could when training down south in my youth.

 

[screenman]

OP, out of interest what is your age?

 

[Yazzoo]

I treated myself to a Garmin Edge Touring Plus - as well as being able to plot routes and download them etc it also has a handy feature called 'round trip routing' - you tell it how far you want to go, and it gives you 3 options of circular routes that are approximately that distance. You can see the basic stats and a map view of each option before you decide - I do this quite a lot - I like not knowing where it will send me! If I plan a route myself I keep thinking 'oh god I feel like crap and I'm not even at such-and-such yet'!

 

[vickster]

Could you go out and not find your way back easily, I know I could when training down south in my youth.

Maybe but I have less than zero sense of direction. I do have a garmin with full mapping though and I can read road signs as needed...although this did get me into trouble when I ended up on the a404 going to Marlow...70 mph, DC, no hard shoulder nice smooth surface though

 

[SteveF]

In terms of route finding I find this a useful resource: http://cycle.travel/

 

[Dave 123]

My lads furthest ride had been 43 miles with me earlier this year. A month or so later he managed103 miles.
This was done with me, 2 uncles, his cousins husband.

We looked after him, reining him back when excited and cajoling him along when it got tough. The route was fairly flat, bits of undulation through Suffolk. The period between 70- 95 miles were into a stern 20mph plus headwind along straight fen roads. We sat him at the back and the 4 of us took turns riding at a steady 12-13mph on the front. Once back into Cambridge he sprinted and left us for dead, the move of a seasoned pro!

See if there any CC informal rides in your area....
Join a club
Ride alone 20 miles to your west (if possible) have tea and cake, then return on the tail wind.
Don't go for speed, just go steady.
Eat and drink well, including the day before!

 

[gazza81]

OP, out of interest what is your age?

Thanks for the replies, ill check them links out.

Im 34 mate

 

[gazza81]

I see a pattern emerging here, cake! Lol

 

[Katherine]

OP, out of interest what is your age?

... And where are you?
... When and where is the sportive?

 

[gazza81]

... And where are you?
... When and where is the sportive?

I live in croydon

Ive not got one planed yet but is something id like to do, im not far from boxhill think there was one there in October i might possibly look into

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

I wondered how long it is taking you to do 15 miles? not that it is really that important. I try not to focus on distance but on time. When I started training again I slowly increased how long I was on the bike for until I could do 2 hours without a break and fueling on the way, also just riding at a seady pace that I felt I could do all day.

Once you have the GPS device you can start planning your routes and working out how much distance you are covering.

 

[Katherine]

I live in croydon

Ive not got one planed yet but is something id like to do, im not far from boxhill think there was one there in October i might possibly look into

You need to book one and then build up the miles so you're ready.
Once you go over the finish line, you'll be looking forward to the next!

 

[vickster]

I live in croydon

Ive not got one planed yet but is something id like to do, im not far from boxhill think there was one there in October i might possibly look into

I can see how you'd get lost in Croydon, abominable place! Cycle to addington, west wickham, beckenham, then back through elmers end, addis coombe, croydon

Or if you want some hills, Purley, coulsdon, chipstead, banstead etc? Or you can go out towards warlingham and what not, but I don't really know that area

Www.cycle-route.com has routes to try

If you fancy going out with a group for a different experience

http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=59585

Plenty of sportives go out into the Surrey hills . And there's always London to Brighton etc

Don't forget the ride London weekend coming up, 1st August, join a guided ride (check Croydon LCC) into town, do a few laps of the free cycle, see the lady pros on the drift and ride home. That'll be a nice relaxed 30-40 miles

http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/The_Events/FreeCycle.htm

 

[gazza81]

I wondered how long it is taking you to do 15 miles? not that it is really that important. I try not to focus on distance but on time. When I started training again I slowly increased how long I was on the bike for until I could do 2 hours without a break and fueling on the way, also just riding at a seady pace that I felt I could do all day.

Once you have the GPS device you can start planning your routes and working out how much distance you are covering.

About 50 mins give or take 5 min

Seems like a gps is a good way to go in the future! Will definitely invest in one.