From couch to 600km (370 miles)

[chrismisterx]

Decided to keep a online journal of my personal journey from complete novice cyclist and over weight couch potato to fit, healthy competent cyclist who aims to complete his first cycle tour.

So best way to start I think is a quick recap of the story so far.

As you may have seen on my other posts, I came to this forum to ask questions for help with how to at first fix my cheap cycles me and my wife bought and how to pick the right new cycles for the tour and how to complete my goal.
This all started around the beginning of Oct this year after we bought 2 cheap second hand bikes, we happily messed around on these for a couple of weeks before joining the forum 23th of Oct.

my first post where to start got us some fantastic advice and with this new knowledge in hand I got my bike fixed up to be road safe and off I went cycling, truly bitten by the bug.

My wife then had this crazy idea of visiting her parents via peddle power since we were both enjoying cycling so much, only problem we live in the north of England ( NE29 ) and they live in the north of Scotland ( AB56 ). A quick check of google maps showed us that was a leg busting trip of 370 miles there and of another 370 miles back, to make matters worse we have only 12 days for the full trip and decided we should try 4 days there, 4 days visit and 4 days back. To save money on the trip I thought camping would be a good idea and the touring idea was born. We set the date for this trip as May next year as her mams birthday, and my 45th birthday is also then.

We decided we need new bikes for this!

This lead to 3 - 4 threads on touring and what bike, where again the fine members of this forum give us some great advice, like get the train!
Joking aside we dropped the camping idea quite quickly and decided the main focus had to be on the cycling, so Bed and Breakfast its going to be.
After a lot of advice we choose the Trek 520 as our new bikes, way over our budget we had planned but you only live once.

Dec 2nd is the start of the structured training or practicing for the trip, our plans are not yet fixed apart from its happening May 2019.

So we hope to go from a non cyclist unfit BMI 30 ( ouch that came as a shock when I worked that out ) to a fit and healthy 45 year old with a normal BMI and able to ride 600km twice in 12 days!

We have 5 months to get ready for this, i expect many ups and downs but I truly believe with help and advice from this forum we can achieve our goals and maybe this thread could help other beginners on their personal journeys.

 

[chrismisterx]

Cycling update. ( small recap of how much cycling I have done )

Been getting out on my bike 3 - 4 times at least each week since I got my bike, started going a mile or two until I got used to it and quickly progressed to around 16 miles ( a trip to Newcastle Bike hub ) split into 8 miles there, nice coffee and a 30 min rest followed by the 8 mile return trip. My little 2nd hand bike isn't the best and even though it gets me from a - b I am really looking forward to getting our new bikes, the trek 520, which is on order and should be with us soon.

Around 2 weeks ago I tried a 40 mile trip, cycled to 17 miles and decided since the weather started to turn bad I would turn around at this point making it 34 miles, it was hard the last few miles nearly killed me, driving rain and a harsh head wind give me one hell of a ride, but I limped home and was super proud.

Took a few days rest to recover, legs were burning and adjusted the saddle a little, which help my knee pain and dropped back to 8 - 10 miles out within the same back so started to avg 15 to 20 miles most days until yesterday.

Sun was out, not to windy so I thought I would aim to just ride and see where I ended up, my plan in my head was to go along the cycle route 72 the hadrian way route, I thought NE29 to Newburn approx 15 miles there would be good, but when I arrived I felt really good so kept peddling and peddling, enjoying being someplace new, loads of friendly people, loved it. Before I knew it I was in Corbridge 27 miles away from home! So still feeling good had a 15 min break to eat and drink, take a quick photo to send to the wife ( who was stuck at work ) before heading back.

It got hard around the 35 mile mark, started to feel my knees hurt but apart from that I felt good ( maybe this old bike isn't still quite set up right? ) Got back to Newcastle ( 8 miles away from home ) feeling a little tired and a little sore stopped off at the quay side for some much needed nuts and a sneaky pint in the sun, had a good 40 min break before finishing the last 8 miles.

Slow and steady, managed around a 9 mile an hour pace when riding and only had to push the bike twice up hills ( paused the phone tracker when on breaks ).
Talking about trackers using map my ride atm, what do you think of that app is there a better one out there?

So my longest ride to date 6 hours to do a 54 mile trip, over the moon and the best part even though my legs hurt a bit I fancy going out and doing a small ride today, so not crippled!

My wife is planning the structured training plan for us and this morning she informed me I have to be more flexible and improve my core while losing weight, I am 91.2kg! wow the kg's don't half sneak up on you, at 5'8 that is quite the belly I have gained the last few years!

So she wants me to drop around 20kg, so she has us booked into the gym and she is going to take me to do Pilates which I think is some form of yoga?, which she insists will help with the tour we have planned.

little question, after a long ride whats the best way to recover, any tips?

 

[burntoutbanger]

Many others may offer many other pieces of advice but I always find the best way to recover from a long hard ride is with a much shorter, far less intense one (preferably with no hills what so ever, canal towpath/old railway line etc).

Keeps the legs turning.

 

[raleighnut]

You've already sussed the important part, just ride and don't worry about 'targets' relaxing is the key to distance riding.

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

For an App, lots use Strava, great for logging mileage, seeing how you’re progressing on segments (speed over short route sections) which will provide a visual incentive. There’s also training plans I’m sure included in some of the premium options.
As for the bike fit, either go to your local bike shop and ask if someone can have a look at your setup, or find out if there’s a local cycling group where you’ll get informal help setting your bike up.

Alternatively, look at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/k.../izn20131217-DIY-Road-and-Mountain-Bike-Fit-0 and https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/bike-kit There’s lots of advice on the British Cycling website which can help novices, they’re not only about racing.

 

[rivers]

Good luck with your training and tour! However, Pilates is not a form of yoga, not even close. But they are both about mindfulness and some such. My wife is a pilates instructor, but it's all greek to me (except it's not yoga).

 

[chrismisterx]

For an App, lots use Strava, great for logging mileage, seeing how you’re progressing on segments (speed over short route sections) which will provide a visual incentive. There’s also training plans I’m sure included in some of the premium options.
As for the bike fit, either go to your local bike shop and ask if someone can have a look at your setup, or find out if there’s a local cycling group where you’ll get informal help setting your bike up.

Alternatively, look at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/k.../izn20131217-DIY-Road-and-Mountain-Bike-Fit-0 and https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/bike-kit There’s lots of advice on the British Cycling website which can help novices, they’re not only about racing.

Thank you, some fantastic links with very helpful advice, going to grab a coffee and have a good read. With regards Strava will have a look at that, would like a app that her parents could follow us traveling up to them on there laptop, think that could be fun.

Good luck with your training and tour! However, Pilates is not a form of yoga, not even close. But they are both about mindfulness and some such. My wife is a pilates instructor, but it's all greek to me (except it's not yoga).

ah I see, I have no idea about it and dreading it a bit to be honest, but she is the boss!

 

[rivers]

ah I see, I have no idea about it and dreading it a bit to be honest, but she is the boss!

It's nothing to be scared of as I know lots of people use it to recover from injuries and things like that.

 

[Slick]

I will leave the good advice to others but I would like to add a congratulatory response for hitting a couple of tough targets in such a short space of time. Wind can be tough and we've all been there but again, it's excellent preparation for your tour especially when you hit the lumps and bumps Scotland has to offer. Obviously you are going to need to make sure the new machines are set up well, but if you get that right and continue to progress in the same vein, the worst thing about your planned tour is spending 4 days with the bloody inlaws. Enjoy

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Whilst I admire your enthusiasm, I reckon you are pushing your luck planning to ride such a long distance in a short period in only a few months time. I would give it at least a year to lose a significant amount of weight gradually in order to reduce the amount of effort involved in riding.
You've also discovered that given favourable weather and motivation, there is no reason why an old secondhand bike isn't capable of being ridden a fair way in one day. I'd concentrate on fine tuning the saddle and bar adjustments in order to get the most comfortable fit, as discomfort is a huge showstopper on a bike. Other than being shiny, there is no guarantee your new on order bike is going to ride any better just because it is new. Optimising what you've got now will get you the most benefit.

 

[OldShep]

I’ve been doing Pilates for 2 yrs now. It helps your core strength and flexibility. On the bike it’s helped my position and on the squash court it’s helped my game. Did a LEJOG this year aged 66 without problems.
Unless you like and can follow training plans, I can’t, just keep riding the bike a little bit further every week and you’ll get there. I wouldn’t be trying that in earnest until the days start getting longer

 

[Heltor Chasca]

It seems we are all willing you to do well. Fantastic stuff.

After big rides I take sustenance in order to recover almost as soon as I land on the doorstep or return to the finish. Milkshake, milk, a protein/carb shake in the form of diluted Huel or Science in Sport’s ReGo. I don’t have any of the SIS at the moment as I am waiting for a cheaper offer which they do occasionally. Within 20 minutes is the advice I have taken.

Strava has a ‘beacon’ for your rellies to monitor. Alternatively, either Wahoo device has it as standard. It could be good for your wife while she is at work and you are mile eating.

 

[chrismisterx]

It seems we are all willing you to do well. Fantastic stuff.

After big rides I take sustenance in order to recover almost as soon as I land on the doorstep or return to the finish. Milkshake, milk, a protein/carb shake I. The for, of diluted Huel or Science in Sport’s ReGo. I don’t have any of the SIS at the moment as I am waiting for a cheaper offer which they do occasionally.

Strava has a ‘beacon’ for your rellies to monitor. Alternatively, either Wahoo device has it as standard. It could be good for your wife while she is at work and you are mile eating.

I have been looking at wahoo stuff this week funny enough with regards indoor training, is there a device which is more suited to outdoor touring that you would recommend that doesn't break the bank, I know nothing about this sort of thing.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

I have been looking at wahoo stuff this week funny enough with regards indoor training, is there a device which is more suited to outdoor touring that you would recommend that doesn't break the bank, I know nothing about this sort of thing.

I have the Wahoo Elemnt which is just the same as the Bolt, but just bigger. It has been a revelation after owning an awfully unreliable Garmin for 3 years.

I noticed in the ride instructions I received for an Audax I am doing soon, it included the phrasing ‘If you suffer from Garmin Syndrome’. This alludes to their software issues and included measures to try and avoid any problems. Yesterday I was listening to a cycling podcast and the chap who was being interviewed spoke of Garmin issues too. It’s almost the norm to talk about the unreliability of Garmin, but people still buy the damn things. I don’t understand the loyal following they have.

Not a fan of Garmin. I am a Wahooligan.

 

[raleighnut]

It seems we are all willing you to do well. Fantastic stuff.

After big rides I take sustenance in order to recover almost as soon as I land on the doorstep or return to the finish. Milkshake, milk, a protein/carb shake in the form of diluted Huel or Science in Sport’s ReGo. I don’t have any of the SIS at the moment as I am waiting for a cheaper offer which they do occasionally. Within 20 minutes is the advice I have taken.

Strava has a ‘beacon’ for your rellies to monitor. Alternatively, either Wahoo device has it as standard. It could be good for your wife while she is at work and you are mile eating.

Better off with a pint and some peanuts, (after all it was the advice given by Ford Prefect to Arthur Dent)