Building up to long distance

[Cyclist33]

I find the best way is to keep cycling on the outward journey, each time you do another five miles, keep going for another five, take tools and puncture kit in case, and leave money n debit card at home except a few bob for food. That way you can't be drawn into getting the train home and you'll automatically double your journey length.

 

[gazza81]

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

Yeah i try to stay away from them areas, might not make it out alive!
I tend to go purley coulsdon sutton, im thinking i might cycle to a place i go fishing in east grinstead, 17 miles there 17 back, my only concern is ill get there and wont be able to get back cos ill be so knackered lol

 

[vickster]

No those areas are ok, it's the rest of Croydon lol

 

[jnrmczip]

I think you will surprise yourself if you can already do 15 miles 40 won't be that bad of you have a couple of stops along the way. First time u head out to do more miles just take it slow then repeat the route faster next time. This way you will be building up distance and then challenging your fitness the next time

 

[vickster]

Here are the details for the led ride to the freecycle

Croydon
Route: Croydon to Parliament Square
Start point: Lloyds Bank, 95 George Street (corner Dingwall St), Croydon CR9 2NS
End point: Parliament Square
Start time: 09:30
Distance: 13 miles
Return ride start point: Parliament Square
Return ride start time: 15:00

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

I think as long as you fuel yourself correctly and increase the mileage you could easily start doing sportives...

 

[jnrmczip]

P's plot a route.com is excellent for route creation and you can get a free app on android osmand that let's you download the gpx of the created route to your phone and follow it with turn by turn directions

 

[Soltydog]

Cycling with a few other people will make it a lot easier
Or just increase your mileage bit by bit. I started off doing a 10 mile loop many years ago, I was cream crackered when I got home, but then intentionally missed a left turn out & took the next one to see where that took me, kept doing the same & after a month or so I was upto 30+ miles. Now I can easily do 60+ miles, but still struggle when getting close to 100, but that maybe a mental thing & thinking about the mileage too much

 

[Cyclist33]

Cycling with a few other people will make it a lot easier
Or just increase your mileage bit by bit. I started off doing a 10 mile loop many years ago, I was cream crackered when I got home, but then intentionally missed a left turn out & took the next one to see where that took me, kept doing the same & after a month or so I was upto 30+ miles. Now I can easily do 60+ miles, but still struggle when getting close to 100, but that maybe a mental thing & thinking about the mileage too much

True dat. I went from 55 miles to my first 100 in the space of one ride.

Aided by cyclechatters, time, and cake.

 

[Katherine]

And when you are actually on the ride, surrounded by other people, you'll naturally go faster for longer without realising it. My average speed goes up by several mph, when I'm with a group.

 

[Ihatehills]

@gazza81
I've been cycling most nights for about three weeks now, I started off doing about 8 miles which quickly turned to 12 then 14,16,18 which is where I am at now, I had no base level of fitness at all! You are a fair bit faster than me over 15 miles so if you take it a bit easier you'll be doing 30+ in no time, if you are not sure if you can make a distance go easy the first time and improve your speed later

 

[Ihatehills]

Oh, and Ive got a garmin edge 200 which I love, to help plan routes and keep track of times etc

 

[vickster]

As long as you are slow and don't mind riding with middle aged women, @jefmcg and I will drag you from sutton to boxhill and back (or we can dump you on a train from somewhere)

We like cake but we will tone down the smutty conversations

 

[snorri]

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

In the future yes, but I would suggest you use map and compass for a while in order to brush up on map reading skills before becoming dependent on electronic aids.

 

[Cyclist33]

In the future yes, but I would suggest you use map and compass for a while in order to brush up on map reading skills before becoming dependent on electronic aids.

Why bother, in this day and age unless you're bear grylls there's usually a signal of some sort when you're Road riding.