How fit do I need to be?

[Maz]

I have no idea how fit do I need to be to ride from Leicester to Cambridge (route is about 95 miles). Most likely I will be doing this on my own.

I've never ridden more than 20 miles in a day. I commute daily round trip of 13 miles. I play football 2/3 times a week. I am 43.

My choice of bike is my roadie (Specialized Allez Elite).

Am I up to it fitness-wise? What do you think?

Thanks.

 

[GrasB]

It may not be fitness, if you're not used to putting in the effort for extended periods your body may not know how to deal with the pressures of a ride like that. With that in mind 20 to 95 may be fairly tough but if you're generally fit a few longer rides may well be all you need. Is there any chance you can extend you commute to test your legs?

About a year ago I was struggling to break 40 miles a ride. My body just wasn't used replenishing energy reserves while I was easing off. If I stopped for 1 hour not eat or anything more than I'd consumed on the bike & I could do another 40 miles again. It took a few months but soon I was heading into 75-100 mile rides without a second thought. I should add my fitness by any metric, besides achievable non-stop distance, I could measure didn't really change in this period

 

[snorri]

I am 43.

It's time you traded in the bike for a pair of comfy slippers and a pipe.

More seriously, I am sure this trip is well within your capabilities. I'm assuming you will not be carrying a full touring load, so that makes it easier. Possibly the most important thing is to get away quite early in the morning giving yourself plenty of time to completete the trip in daylight. Maintain an easy pace, taking a short break every 10 or 20 miles. That worked for me.

 

[Dayvo]

Maz, it'll be a piece of cake, mate!

Make sure you're comfortably and practically attired, eat accordingly before the off, and drink plenty of fluids, with the odd banana/energy bar thrown in, whilst on the road, and a stop to stretch your legs and have something a bit more substantial to eat, if and when you feel like it.

Make sure your tyres are inflated to the recommended pressure and that your brake blocks aren't rubbing on the wheels' rims.

Depending on winds/terrain/your form on the day, it'll take you about 6-8 hours at a comfortable pace.

Didn't know you're 43!

 

[doog]

I commute 16 miles return a day, I do the odd 30/40 miler on a weekend. I did 95 miles fully loaded, very hilly on a very hot day at the end of a small tour recently . Plenty of stops and water...and a beer thrown in. I was hanging for the last 15/20 with a broken spoke ,buckled rear wheel as a result and all the weight on the back tent etc but managed it...it was the heat that got me more than anything, legs and lungs were fine.

and ive got a few years on you

 

[Maz]

Didn't know you're 43!

Aye. Married, 3 kids...

 

[HLaB]

Maz, maybe in a one off its a bit much but if you build up to its perfectly doable. I think its a mental barrier rather than fitness in most cases. Good Luck

 

[Tigerbiten]

I have no idea how fit do I need to be to ride from Leicester to Cambridge (route is about 95 miles).

Which route are you planning on taking ?
I make it ~85 miles between Leicester and Cambridge.
My route was ..........
South Leicester on the A5199 to Creaton, once out of Leicester I found thats not a bad/buzy road to cycle on.
From Creaton cut across between Northampton & Wellingborough to St Neots then Cambridge.
Its mostly B/back roads from the A5199.

Luck ............

 

[Globalti]

That sounds like a FLAT route! Get the wind behind you and you'll be flying along at around 17-18 mph average.

 

[Maz]

That sounds like a FLAT route!

I wasn't planning on punctures, but you never know.

 

[willem]

I have done this one, and thought it was quite a ride. More importantly I think from about your age onwards you have to be increasingly careful to prepare yourself properly. I no longer can just do a ride like that without gradually builing up my training towards it. I once could, but I no longer can without injuring myself (I speak from experience). So I would suggest you should increase your commuter mileage if you can, and put in a couple of 50 mile rides beforehand.
Willem

 

[Maz]

Which route are you planning on taking ?
I make it ~85 miles between Leicester and Cambridge.
My route was ..........
South Leicester on the A5199 to Creaton, once out of Leicester I found thats not a bad/buzy road to cycle on.
From Creaton cut across between Northampton & Wellingborough to St Neots then Cambridge.
Its mostly B/back roads from the A5199.

Luck ............

This one is kind of winding and skirts by M'Harboro, Desboro, Kettering, Barton Seagrave, Cranford St Andrew, Cranford St John, Bourne, Toft, St.Neots, to name but a few.

Actually, 85 miles is more like it.

 

[ColinJ]

I think as long as you are comfortable on your bike, eat and drink sensibly and pace yourself you'll be fine!

I once had 4 months off my bike then went on holiday to Spain and rode 700 very hilly miles in 2 weeks and it didn't (quite!) kill me.

Your commuting and football have probably built up a level of fitness way beyond where you think it is.

 

[Brains]

I have no idea how fit do I need to be to ride from Leicester to Cambridge (route is about 95 miles). Most likely I will be doing this on my own.

I've never ridden more than 20 miles in a day. I commute daily round trip of 13 miles. I play football 2/3 times a week. I am 43.

My choice of bike is my roadie (Specialized Allez Elite).

Am I up to it fitness-wise? What do you think?

Thanks.

I'm older than you
I ride the same distance as you on my daily commute
I rarely do more than 20 miles in a day
I did 80 miles the other week with no real preperation.

Sure I was tired by the end of it, but took it slowly, had quite a few stops, ate little and often, went through 4 bottles of water.
So 100 miles is do-able, just start early and don't take the watch

 

[asterix]

I think you will be find the ride well within your abilities. Even with a bit of a headwind.