Building up to long distance

[vickster]

Some of the speed you can get up to on them bikes i think id rather feel like a wally but have some head left if i do come off!

If you read the evidence, helmets don't offer more protection at speed, they are more useful at slower speeds potentially where you risk banging the side of your head on the kerb etc

Wear one, don't wear one, it's your choice. But don't use it as a substitute for riding sensibly for the conditions and defensively, especially as a beginner

I am NOT turning this into a helmet debate (especially as personally I always wear one )

 

[Simontm]

If you read the evidence, helmets don't offer more protection at speed, they are more useful at slower speeds potentially where you risk banging the side of your head on the kerb etc

Wear one, don't wear one, it's your choice. But don't use it as a substitute for riding sensibly for the conditions and defensively, especially as a beginner

I am NOT turning this into a helmet debate (especially as personally I always wear one )

 

[Simontm]

Cheers, ive mapped out a 15 mile route im gonna do tomo with hills etc im not going to do the usual break in the middle and see how i get on!
Will be my first ride on a road bike!

Can you upload/link here. Am always curious about new routes to add to the commute?

 

[HertzvanRental]

I have "liked" this as I am so impressed that you are fluent in emoticons!!

 

[vickster]

I have "liked" this as I am so impressed that you are fluent in emoticons!!

He missed a few

 

[HertzvanRental]

He missed a few

Is that Esperanto?

 

[vickster]

Indeed with a few of my favourite CC emoticons

 

[gazza81]

Can you upload/link here. Am always curious about new routes to add to the commute?

I can try, its all roads that i know so i know where im going but gonna have strava running, not sure if i can use that to upload here?

 

[PpPete]

Be very careful about upping your distances. All the advice upthread is good: ride slower, fuel properly, increase gradually etc....
but if (when) you get hooked on adding more & more distance there is this 'thing' called: audax
DAMHIKT

 

[Cuchilo]

Here's the hilly route I tried earlier http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9396692

 

[gazza81]

So i done my first 15 miles with a few hills , only stopping at lights and when my chain came off! Done it in 1hr 3mins, im quite happy with that as i dont think i pushed as hard as i could have done, and felt that i could have kept going a few more miles if i had too.
I know i need to get a softer saddle now anyway!
And man i didnt realise how bumpy the roads are!!

 

[screenman]

Here's the hilly route I tried earlier http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9396692

That brought back memories, a lot of those roads I used a lot as a 15 year old, most likely done much the same route many times.

 

[Cuchilo]

That brought back memories, a lot of those roads I used a lot as a 15 year old, most likely done much the same route many times.

Theres some nice challenging climbs in there but long descents after to recover before the next climb . A good little work out I think .

 

[vickster]

Invest in good padded shorts. Soft saddles are not an advantage especially over longer distances

You're definitely too fast for us!