London-Edinburgh-London 2013: The thread

[mcshroom]

Looks like a good plan Greenbank. I think I'm going to have to look into

I've got to the 'getting round a 200 with about an hour to spare' stage now, and I'm taking myself of cycle camping round Scotland for two weeks next month which should get me used to days on the bike (not long distances, but hilly and fully laden). I've still got a very long way to go though

 

[frank9755]

I agree with Greenbank's post up on the previous page ^^^

In particular, I'd second the recommendation of Simon Doughty's book. I used the schedule that he outlined in the book to prepare for PBP this year.

 

[Glover Fan]

I've semi-definately (is that a real term?!) decided that 2013 is the best time for me to do something like this. My wife has just started an intensive postgraduate uni course and so will be tied up most weekends meaning doing 600km events and lots of training is not going to become a barrier between us.Gonna buy a dedicated audax style bike on the cycle to work scheme when it opens in November and going to plan my SR rides for next year. Already doing a 200km event every month so have a decent base fitness, the Dartmoor Devil next month will be a good hill event for me as well.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Thanks for the in depth reply. It may be just your opinion but is sounds a damn good one.

I was planning on a 200 km this year and building up to 600 km in 2012, while refining my bike/kit and making a decision whether or not i need to get an all out Audax machine for 600 km+.

Do you mind if I quote you on my blog?

Cheers

Thanks once again Greenbank. I've used your reply as the basis of a blog post which gives my thoughts on how i'm going to tackle my LEL preparation.

Oh, and I'm doing my first 200 km at the end of September!

 

[yello]

I'd say an SR series is a darned good idea too.... and also rest. Don't be afraid to take time off to let the miles soak into your legs (thanks to Ian H for that expression!)

Also, consider consecutive days in the saddle. This is something that it seems not many people do, so maybe it is not necessary, but I personally feel worthwhile. Do a 100km one afternoon and 100 the following morning for example. Perhaps not necessary from a physical point of view but helps on the mental side if the legs are feeling a little tired. You get to learn that tired legs work so long as they're fuelled!

It's worth noting that there's a level of motivation that kicks in once you're on LEL (or any such ride for that matter). You're only there to ride and there's a buzz about it all - and this can make up for any shortfall in the physical preparation. I wouldn't plan for it but it's worth noting to ease party fears.

To my mind, success on such events is also about a kind of what I'll call an ad-hoc planning. That is, don't go in with any concrete notion about how you're going to ride it, such plans can crumble very quickly and could leave you despondent. Better to remain flexible and prepared to rethink on the fly. Things change so be prepared to revise plans according to prevailing conditions. Obviously, experience plays a big part in this so don't expect yourself to know it all.

If it's your first such event, you're going to learn a great deal about yourself but, sadly, nobody can advise you exactly what you'll learn. So, with it being a learning experience, be prepared to make 'mistakes' and therefore cut yourself some slack in advance. There'll be things you'll do differently next time around! I know that was my experience.

LEL in 2009 was definitely a learning experience for me. Not just the ride but also in my preparation. Even though I was as well prepared as I could be. I finished in time, so it was a success in those terms, but I faired better in PBP this year (MUCH better in fact!) and I'd say that one of the reasons for that was purely the experience of LEL.

Whatever happens, remember it's only a bike ride. Not the end of the world if you don't finish. Main thing is to try and enjoy it... well, as much as is possible anyway!

 

[middleagecyclist]

I'd say an SR series is a darned good idea too.... and also rest. Don't be afraid to take time off to let the miles soak into your legs (thanks to Ian H for that expression!)

Also, consider consecutive days in the saddle. This is something that it seems not many people do, so maybe it is not necessary, but I personally feel worthwhile. Do a 100km one afternoon and 100 the following morning for example. Perhaps not necessary from a physical point of view but helps on the mental side if the legs are feeling a little tired. You get to learn that tired legs work so long as they're fuelled!

It's worth noting that there's a level of motivation that kicks in once you're on LEL (or any such ride for that matter). You're only there to ride and there's a buzz about it all - and this can make up for any shortfall in the physical preparation. I wouldn't plan for it but it's worth noting to ease party fears.

To my mind, success on such events is also about a kind of what I'll call an ad-hoc planning. That is, don't go in with any concrete notion about how you're going to ride it, such plans can crumble very quickly and could leave you despondent. Better to remain flexible and prepared to rethink on the fly. Things change so be prepared to revise plans according to prevailing conditions. Obviously, experience plays a big part in this so don't expect yourself to know it all.

If it's your first such event, you're going to learn a great deal about yourself but, sadly, nobody can advise you exactly what you'll learn. So, with it being a learning experience, be prepared to make 'mistakes' and therefore cut yourself some slack in advance. There'll be things you'll do differently next time around! I know that was my experience.

LEL in 2009 was definitely a learning experience for me. Not just the ride but also in my preparation. Even though I was as well prepared as I could be. I finished in time, so it was a success in those terms, but I faired better in PBP this year (MUCH better in fact!) and I'd say that one of the reasons for that was purely the experience of LEL.

Whatever happens, remember it's only a bike ride. Not the end of the world if you don't finish. Main thing is to try and enjoy it... well, as much as is possible anyway!

More great advice. Thanks for all your support *sniff, wipe away tear*. I'll remember you all in my speech!

 

[Greenbank]

There's a frequently trotted out saying in Audax UK:-

If you can ride a 100, you can ride a 200.
If you can ride a 200, you can ride a 300.
If you can ride a 300, you can ride a 400.
If you can ride a 400, you can ride a 600.
...

I agree with it, but it's the optimistic version. My pessimistic version is:-

If you can ride a 100 and not feel completely wasted at the end of it, you should be able to ride a 200.
If you can ride a 200 and not feel completely wasted at the end of it, you should be able to ride a 300.
If you can ride a 300 and not feel completely wasted at the end of it, you should be able to ride a 400.
If you can ride a 400 and not feel completely wasted at the end of it, you should be able to ride a 600.
...

 

[Nuncio]

Too pessimistic in my view, or, at least, it doesn't match my experience.

It's not quite so bad nowadays, but it used to be the case that I'd feel completely wasted after whatever Audax I'd just completed, to the point that I couldn't imagine going another 2km let alone another 100. Each new step up was therefore a very doubtful step into the unknown. But in each instance, I smashed through the previous best comfortably, but was just about to collapse by the end. It was as if my mind was recalibrating my body's abilities to exactly what was required and no more. Therefore, I wouldn't be deterred from stepping up to a longer distance if you feel completely wasted at the end of a shorter one.

It's as much a mind game as a leg game.

 

[yello]

It's as much a mind game as a leg game.

Agreed. And certainly on the longer distances.

It took me quite a while to 'step up' to 200km but my barrier was a mental one. Once done, I realised I'd had no reason to fear. Since then, I tackled longer distances without real concern. At the very worst, I figure I'll just have to drag myself around! Seriously, and injury aside, so long as you're fuelled correctly then a longer ride is just more of the same (assuming you have comfortable bike etc etc etc).

 

[PpPete]

Consecutive days in the saddle is definitely something I need to work on.
Moderately hilly 217km on Sunday and certainly not completely wasted after it, but 5 miles to/from a pub lunch yesterday was "not fun".

Thanks once again Greenbank. I've used your reply as the basis of a blog post which gives my thoughts on how i'm going to tackle my LEL preparation.

Oh, and I'm doing my first 200 km at the end of September!

See you mention possibility of a DIY on Yad Moss....this sounds like a good plan. Do you have any dates in mind? Interested to have company on it ?

 

[Slowerthanmyshadow]

Strangely i'd only ridden 2 consecutive days a couple of times and 3 days the once this year untill the 3.5 days in August and then i rode back to the hotel and the next day another 60 km. It's amazing what you can do when you have to.

 

[middleagecyclist]

See you mention possibility of a DIY on Yad Moss....this sounds like a good plan. Do you have any dates in mind? Interested to have company on it ?

Yes I do. Yes I am.

Likely going to be looking at May 2012 onwards. Have got two local 200 km rides lined up for the remainder of this year, not interested in tackling this route Jan-March and will be away March-April.

More than happy to have company along if it works out. Will PM you shortly.

 

[velovoice]

Yes I do. Yes I am.

Likely going to be looking at May 2012 onwards. Have got two local 200 km rides lined up for the remainder of this year, not interested in tackling this route Jan-March and will be away March-April.

More than happy to have company along if it works out. Will PM you shortly.

Without looking yet at logistics involved in getting there from London... I agree, this sounds a very good idea and I'd be interested in doing it. May sounds good. Please could you keep me in mind closer to the time once you've got better idea on details? Thanks.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Without looking yet at logistics involved in getting there from London... I agree, this sounds a very good idea and I'd be interested in doing it. May sounds good. Please could you keep me in mind closer to the time once you've got better idea on details? Thanks.

PM coming your way Rebecca.

 

[lazycyclist]

Add another one........I've been on the e-mail list for a couple of months, but now I've found this forum and thread it's time to accept it's really going to happen ! I was meant to ride my first ever Audax this coming Sunday (North Cheshire Clarion's Wizard and Llamas Audax), but have been struck down by a virus all week and currently couldn't even cycle to the shop let alone ride an Audax ! I'm afraid I may drag the average age down a bit though as I'll only be 51 for the LEL .