Building up to long distance

[gazza81]

How do you guys build up to long distance cycling?

Do you literally cycle till you cant cycle any more then jump on a train home?

I want to build up to 40 ish miles to do my first sportive type event.

Ive literally just started and can go about 15 miles i plan the route as its only small and do a circle back to home. But if i plan a 20 30 40 miler i wont be able to remember the route lol

 

[vickster]

Just keep riding a little further over time I guess. I find it much easier with others. I get bored on my own!!

Don't feel you have to do it without stopping, part of the pleasure is in the cake stops and the ever so slightly smutty conversations!!

 

[Katherine]

Go for 20 miles then set Google maps to talk you home!
Or, do a 20 mile route twice, then you can use the home facilities.

I've done both of those, building up gradually.
Good luck.

 

[gazza81]

Just keep riding a little further over time I guess. I find it much easier with others. I get bored on my own!!

Don't feel you have to do it without stopping, part of the pleasure is in the cake stops and the ever so slightly smutty conversations!!

Ive been trying to get some friends involved but not interested so i will be on my own unfortunately!

 

[gazza81]

Go for 20 miles then set Google maps to talk you home!
Or, do a 20 mile route twice, then you can use the home facilities.

I've done both of those, building up gradually.
Good luck.

Go for 20 miles then set Google maps to talk you home!
Or, do a 20 mile route twice, then you can use the home facilities.

I've done both of those, building up gradually.
Good luck.

If i stopped at home half way i wouldnt go back out lol

 

[ColinJ]

If you are doing 15 miles already, then you have made a good start. A lot of people are so unfit that they are knackered after 2 or 3 miles when they first start cycling.

In terms of endurance - just build up steadily. It won't be long before you are doing 40 miles if you do 15-20 miles a few times a week.

As for navigation - treat yourself to a cycling GPS device! You can download routes off the web, or plot your own, but you don't even have to do that. Nearly all of them let you follow your outward route home so you can ride anywhere you like until you have done half your total distance, then turn round and go back. Just watch out for steep descents on the way out, which become steep climbs the other way. And 1-way systems can screw up that technique, but mostly it works fine.

 

[BSRU]

Just ride often and gradually increase how far you go.
A good satnav helps, I pre-plan my route taking quite country lanes and avoiding busy roads.
Basic out and back routes are good as you have no choice once you get half way.

 

[vickster]

Join a club? Most have beginner runs. Or there are skyrides

And take a map as old fashioned as it may sound!!

 

[Markymark]

If you can get your partner or a train to drop you off 30 miles from home. I'll bet you'll make it back withiut issue or memorised map.

 

[screenman]

How nice it must be not to know what seems like every road within a 50 mile radius.

 

[gazza81]

If you are doing 15 miles already, then you have made a good start. A lot of people are so unfit that they are knackered after 2 or 3 miles when they first start cycling.

In terms of endurance - just build up steadily. It won't be long before you are doing 40 miles if you do 15-20 miles a few times a week.

As for navigation - treat yourself to a cycling GPS device! You can download routes off the web, or plot your own, but you don't even have to do that. Nearly all of them let you follow your outward route home so you can ride anywhere you like until you have done half your total distance, then turn round and go back. Just watch out for steep descents on the way out, which become steep climbs the other way. And 1-way systems can screw up that technique, but mostly it works fine.

Been going to the gym for about 3 yrs so have a basic level of fitness already.

I was literally just looking at the gps, i will need to wait untill the mrs is talking to me again after just spending £500 on a bike and bits!

 

[vickster]

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

 

[Markymark]

Or just look at the map, find somewhere 20 miles away. Cycle there, have a cake. Then cycling home.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Personally I love working out routes on an OS map. Just explore a bit further each ride and you'll soon find yourself building up to 40 miles and more.

 

[Banjo]

Have a look at Bike hike or Map my ride with GPS.
You can spend many happy hours planning routes .
http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php

15 miles is a good start . Build it up gradually once you start riding for 2 hours or more you need to think about eating on the ride or you will hit the dreaded bonk which basically means your body has run out of fuel and you feel terrible.

Good Luck