London-Edinburgh-London 2013: The thread

[mcshroom]

which one?

Schiehallion Sunrise

 

[martint235]

Our problem's not the miles now. OH and I have done our SR this year, and now even lumpy 200s (that half-killed me early last year) are quite comfortable, even with extra 30 tacked on to ride home after.
No, the problem's financial - OH really ought to have a new bike for it - not really fair for her to be riding a 1987 Dawes Galaxy when I'm on shiny new Van Nic, and we can't afford it.
Especially as my car's just written itself off, by blowing the turbo and wrecking the engine.
Spectacular clouds of smoke when it went though !

That sucks. It is a bit of an expensive game isn't it? I managed to get the new bike, now scrimping a bit to ensure I have the entry fee.

 

[arallsopp]

I have one more ride to do for my SR this year. On the 8th August myself and RB58 will be cycling from Thurrock to Moffat, or thereabouts to claim the 600km. Hopefully we will then have a more leisurely ride for the remaining 50 miles or so into Edinburgh. The intention is to do 450km straight off to Scotch Corner where there is a Travelodge, after leaving around 7pm. I have no idea how hard this is going to be, but having done two 400km rides this year it seems less daunting. Wish us luck!

Good luck! Sounds like you're amply prepared for the ride. Not sure how "leisurely" the first 7 out of Moffat might be, but the roll down to finish should be lovely.

 

[Nebulous]

User: You have many options. Whatever you go for, I'd suggest relaxed geometry, comfort rather than stiffness, clearance for 25mm if not wider tyres, and either a compact or a triple chainset. You don't need to spend £2k. But you want to spend it

Would this do?

I've just bought it as a commuter. It's certainly relaxed and is going well apart from some issues with crap tyres.

I keep getting drawn back to this thread. It would be a huge step up for me, having been more concerned about speed than distance to date. I have started a new job with a lot of holidays, so I could probably get the time off.

 

[yello]

It would be a huge step up for me, having been more concerned about speed than distance to date.

That's no bad thing. At this point, any and all preparation is useful. I tend to ride for distance by default (and prefer it) but always do a couple of speed sessions before any event. It all comes together.

 

[arallsopp]

Would this do?

I've just bought it as a commuter. It's certainly relaxed and is going well.

The best bike to ride on is the one you own. This looks up to the job, and the fact that you're commuting on it means you're likely to know how to keep it running, and how it handles in adverse conditions. Additionally, I'm sure muscle memory gets supercharged if you frequently find yourself jumping on before you're really awake. Its certainly a handy skill, either way

That said, there's always a faster, lighter, stronger version floating in the edge of mind. Thing is, there always will be.

 

[Nebulous]

That's no bad thing. At this point, any and all preparation is useful. I tend to ride for distance by default (and prefer it) but always do a couple of speed sessions before any event. It all comes together.

I'll need to learn to pace myself a bit more to hopefully last the distance.

The best bike to ride on is the one you own. This looks up to the job, and the fact that you're commuting on it means you're likely to know how to keep it running, and how it handles in adverse conditions. Additionally, I'm sure muscle memory gets supercharged if you frequently find yourself jumping on before you're really awake. Its certainly a handy skill, either way

That said, there's always a faster, lighter, stronger version floating in the edge of mind. Thing is, there always will be.

Thanks - my 'main' bike for leisure is an allez. However 2 days on it with a backpack convinced me it isn't for endurance riding. The Edinburgh Bike one is a recent purchase as a sensible bike for commuting with guards and rack. I'll also use it as a bad weather trainer. Faster, lighter, stronger at the moment would be a full-on carbon race bike. If I commit to doing LEL I'll build up the distance though, and if I like long-distance events then that could change.

 

[arallsopp]

2 days on it with a backpack convinced me it isn't for endurance riding. Faster, lighter, stronger at the moment would be a full-on carbon race bike.

Sensible probably still wins the day here. A range of tyre choices, guards and baggage mounting options wins it for me. YMMV, of course.

 

[martint235]

Right I have a plan. I have a week off work in Sept so I'm going to a ride of at least 100 miles every day. Hopefully this will give me a marker of whether I need to do anything else to prepare. If I can do 130-140 miles a day for a week, then I should be able to up that to the required 175-200 for LEL

 

[Trickedem]

I am off to Scotland tomorrow on my first ever 600km, with the train that is RB58. We are starting on the North side of the Dartford Crossing at around 6pm. We will then aim to ride on the LEL route through the night and the next day for 450km to Scotch Corner where a Travelodge awaits. In the morning we will finish the remaining 150km at Gretna Green, just over the border. At that point the clock will stop ticking and we will make our way onwards to Edinburgh. Please wish us luck.

 

[Sittingduck]

Good luck, indeed!

 

[mcshroom]

+1

I start my first 400 on Friday as well

 

[martint235]

I am off to Scotland tomorrow on my first ever 600km, with the train that is RB58. We are starting on the North side of the Dartford Crossing at around 6pm. We will then aim to ride on the LEL route through the night and the next day for 450km to Scotch Corner where a Travelodge awaits. In the morning we will finish the remaining 150km at Gretna Green, just over the border. At that point the clock will stop ticking and we will make our way onwards to Edinburgh. Please wish us luck.

Good luck! I wish I was coming along but c'est la vie.

 

[Trickedem]

+1

I start my first 400 on Friday as well

Best of luck for yours. Whats the route?

 

[mcshroom]

Best of luck for yours. Whats the route?

It's the Schiehallion Sunrise.

It starts in Linlithgow then goes to Balfron, Aberfoyle, Crieff, Kinloch Rannoch, Pitlochry, Kirriemuir and Perth, then back to LInlithgow.