First 100 mile ride...

[sketchyeddie]

Hi everyone,

As an incentive to get colleagues to donate to my fundraising cause for this year's London Marathon, I proposed to cycle from our London office, to our Salisbury office - a distance of 100 miles. Needless to say that they took the bait and whilst they have been very generous with donations, I now have to do the ride! I should also mention that I agreed to do it dressed as a Womble. Don't ask.

I am a fit 26 year old and commute 7 miles each way on my bike every day. I also grew up on bikes and really enjoy cycling but have never done a long road distance such as this. I used to regularly ride 30+ miles off road without too much bother - indeed it is the same bike that I will be doing this challenge on, currently converted to slick tyres for commuter use.

My worry is training, I need to do the challenge soon so that I don't lose too much marathon training time in recovering after this. Do you think as a one off I'll be ok? I'm not worried about time, just finishing and injury.

Appreciate your advice...

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Commuting one thing, 100 miles in an airless Womble costume another mate.
I would suggest a few commutes with the costume to become acclimatised then start a few longer runs eventually to at least 50 miles.
You try it with just the head to start with then work up (oris it down?) to the body.

Once in full rig you can put a hydration pack on before the costume - will help a bit.

You could also practice riding with no hands then once proficient, periodically lift off the head mid-ride to cool off, that will however, frighten the life out of some old dear out on a Sunday stroll suddenly being faced with the ghost of a beheaded womble!

Sorry - couldnt resist that

 

[Ady138]

Take a look at December/February's copy of "Cycling fitness" for a "Ride 100 miles by March" Training programme or check out this article
http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness/100-mile-goal

Ady

 

[G-Zero]

Can't offer much in the way in the way of advice, but when I reached the Womble line.... superb !! - It cheered me up no end.

Best of luck with the effort and don't forget PHOTOS please.

 

[BrumJim]

If you are fit enough to run the marathon, building up miles on the bike can only help.

Yes, you will have to build up the miles on the bike. But looks very do-able. Apart from the womble costume - have no experience of that so cannot comment.

 

[DougieAB]

Damn!! have now got the 'Remember you're a Womble' song going round in my head

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

I forgot to add - seriously - in 2010 the maximum ride my wife (33 at the time) had done was 30 miles basically flat terrain.
She ran the Edinburgh Marathon (3:50) and the following weekend, along with me and 32 others, cycled the C2C from Workington to Tynemouth in over 2-days.

Once you are used to that type of duration running your legs must be better able to sustain longer cycling?

Tony

 

[sketchyeddie]

Thanks for all the comments everyone! Yes the Womble outfit is going to add a certain level of difficulty to this challenge and I appreciate the concerns re overheating and hydration. I will have a hydration pack on and hopefully the weather will still be on the chilly side in March. I haven't quite worked out how to wear the head and a helmet yet.

Think I'll aim to do it later in March, giving me approximately a month before the marathon but time enough to get a couple of longer rides in first.

I will of course keep you all updated and a photo or two to keep you amused.

Apologies for any Womble themes or songs going through anyone's mind!

 

[HLaB]

LOL, ditch the helmet

 

[Dan_h]

The womble outfit sounds a bit tricky, how are you going to keep the fur out of the drive train of the bike? Also a hydration pack is going to add a couple of kilos of weight to your body, really you want as little weight on your back as possible so water bottles on the bike would be better, then again I guess that is no use at all if you can't get to it because you have a womble head on...

Riding 100 miles is not particularly difficult with a bit of training, a comfy bike and the right nutrition. However 100 miles dressed as a womble sounds fiendishly difficult to me!

Good luck though and I look forward to seeing the pictures

 

[HLaB]

Sorry I couldn't resist searching Google

 

[Banjo]

If you hit a headwind in a Womble Suit it will turn into the ride from hell. I would break it up into 5 @20 milers with a rest and food break between each .Given your allready high level of fitness I cant see you failing but dont do it in strong headwind.

I cant wait for the pictures

 

[Edwards80]

If you hit a headwind in a Womble Suit it will turn into the ride from hell.

Rubbish! Look how aerodynamic the nose is.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

The one with the red tie on looks like he's already had a few sprints in going by his hat.

 

[italiafirenze]

I think finding enough daylight before late march will be troublesome, considering how slow you will be dressed as a womble on a mountain bike.

Don't forget plenty of food and water.

You're gonna feel some pain, but it sounds like you're more than a match for it.