going round the UK............

[egginbonce]

next year,I shall, as well as being 60 (!!!),I shall have retired, leaving me all the time in the world...........I like the idea of trickling round the coast,alternately caamping, and B&B ing it.

Though I have always cycled, the most distance ive ever done was about 50 miles,which I found a bit much .
Ihave a Secteur road bike,which is (I think),too light weight for the job, and a Trek hybrid, which, though with a low ratio of 26/32,I'd have thought would be OK, is a bit cumbersome.Ive been looking at a Specialised tricross,tho its gonna be about £1000 by the time i have panniers etc, so thats my first quandary.

Next is................will I improve at age 60 if I stick at it, and do more distance, or will I just get fed up with it?


Loads more questions, but those will do for now..............................any thoughts, ideas,etc.......................??

 

[Plodder335]

Egginbonce,

By pure coincidence I retire at the end of this year (55) and having just returned to cycling this year I too was looking at doing something similar next year.

Another coincidence is that I have a 2010 Tricross Comp......spooky eh ??

Well, I hope you get answers to your questions and stay in touch if you wish to exchange ideas etc.

Ian

 

[egginbonce]

thanks<Ian

Egginbonce,

By pure coincidence I retire at the end of this year (55) and having just returned to cycling this year I too was looking at doing something similar next year.

Another coincidence is that I have a 2010 Tricross Comp......spooky eh ??

Well, I hope you get answers to your questions and stay in touch if you wish to exchange ideas etc.

Ian

 

[egginbonce]

thanks Ian.wish Id been able to do it at 55;still, better late......etc.............how do u find the tricross,witha view to the trip?Are u going clockwise or anti.......?
.......................eggy

PS................training all winter?????

 

[Bodhbh]

Though I have always cycled, the most distance ive ever done was about 50 miles,which I found a bit much ...............will I improve at age 60 if I stick at it, and do more distance, or will I just get fed up with it?

Loads more questions, but those will do for now..............................any thoughts, ideas,etc.......................??

Someone with real experience will probably answer soon, but lot of the audaxers who reguarly do 100+mile rides (week in, week out) are 60+. I'm in my 30s, but it's not hard to build up to doing decent miles and if you've got plenty of time it'll happen on tour.

I'd think the main issue is not if you can physically do it, but if you want to spend that much time on the bike when you could be exploring and seeing the sights

/edit sorry think read it a bit wrong, as if you were after significantly increasing from 50miles a day.

 

[Plodder335]

thanks Ian.wish Id been able to do it at 55;still, better late......etc.............how do u find the tricross,witha view to the trip?Are u going clockwise or anti.......?
.......................eggy

PS................training all winter?????

I have only had the bike a few weeks and because of work etc have only been on a couple of rides on it of about 25 miles each. I find the gearing too high (and that is without luggage) I thought it might be my lack of fitness and strength in my legs (as I said I am a returning cyclist) and it probably is but I met someone at a coffee stop on one of my rides and he had exactly the same bike. He found the same and had a lower cassette fitted which I intend to do at the end of the week. I will keep you posted.


It is comfy enough but I am breaking in a Brooks B17 so a little sore in all the wrong places.


Winter training...........NOT looking forward to it.


I haven't decided which direction yet, it is all still very early stages and will depend on the training etc.


Ian

 

[egginbonce]

Someone with real experience will probably answer soon, but lot of the audaxers who reguarly do 100+mile rides (week in, week out) are 60+. I'm in my 30s, but it's not hard to build up to doing decent miles and if you've got plenty of time it'll happen on tour.

I'd think the main issue is not if you can physically do it, but if you want to spend that much time on the bike when you could be exploring and seeing the sights

/edit sorry think read it a bit wrong, as if you were after significantly increasing from 50miles a day.

if i could avrage 50 miles a day, id be deligted.............

 

[cyco2]

if I could average 50 miles a day, I'd be delighted.............

Average 50 a day...good luck with that one. An good average speed to start with is 10mph, so that is 5hrs at times strenuous riding without breaks. Consistently doing 30 mile a day without weight can take some getting used too.

You'll be carrying quite a load and by the looks of it, and not experienced with carrying that amount. I would suggest you try it first and see how you get on. The hills will mean that you will only be going at walking pace.

I have looked on Ebay and 62L panniers for the odd trip would only cost £20. Might be okay.


Comments..

When Audaxers knock out those miles, they do it as light as possible.

To the B17 Brooks saddle users.............totally bonkers when there are great saddles to be had that don't break YOU in.

 

[snorri]

......I like the idea of trickling round the coast,alternately caamping, and B&B ing it.
Next is................will I improve at age 60 if I stick at it, and do more distance, or will I just get fed up with it?

Round the coast of the UK is a considerable distance!

This guy http://petermaddern.weebly.com/ covered 4,500 miles, other reports quote longer distances.

You say you want to trickle round, this suggests stopping to visit places of interest and chatting to strangers along the way, in which case 50 mpd is quite a respectable distance, particularly as you intend to carry camping gear. I think you are already fit enough to go, but should undertake a few two or three day tours just to ensure you have all the equipment you need and to get used to carrying a touring load. The problems may be more mental than physical, there could be an overwhelming desire to just go home to your own bed after a succession of B&Bs and campsites!

 

[egginbonce]

all good advice so far;thanks all...............please keep any ideas coming in........

 

[psmiffy]

Im in the same sort of age bracket - I find that over the years I have not really improved much as a cyclist - done 22tours over 1000km in the last 15years - however I am always improving as a cycle tourer - and no I do not get fed up with it - if you have the time you can cover a lot of distance very easily - my only reservation is when it starts to get cold - can put up with the wind and rain and love it when it gets hot - but time to turn for home when it gets cold - after that it is as snorri says more a mental thing - myself I am am happy on my own - just trawling through whatever landscape I have chosen and finding company randomly as I go - but for some that is difficult

 

[egginbonce]

psmiffy....................thanks for the reply......................what sort of bike do you use?

 

[psmiffy]

psmiffy....................thanks for the reply......................what sort of bike do you use?

 

[egginbonce]

right then-I think I'll use my Trek hybrid...................

 

[jags]

egginbonce fair play to you if this touring lark is your first time well your in for a treat.think of all the new places your going to see and at a pace you can enjoy.50 miles a day is a doddle honest, remember you have all day to cover it so no panic.one thing i find when cycling is a good radio put it in your barbag tune in to your favorite station and the miles will fly by.camping is also great but i'm having big problems sleeping but i'll stick at it .get your bike and kit sorted lightweight gear is the way to go expensive but worth every penny, the bike if your touring get a proper tourer again worth the money, basically get the best you can it wont let you down .check out psmiffy on crazyguyonabike this guy knows something on touring .
i'm only a couple years behind you age wise and if i put the miles in (i dont always) i can stay with the best of them ,

btw winter training is fantastic ,no such thing as bad weather only bad cloths or so the saying goes.

good luck buddy hope all works out spend wisely you wont regret it.