London-Edinburgh-London 2013: The thread

[martint235]

Actually, there is a Kindle version around. Long Martin has the only copy though. If Amazon would buck their ideas up and let me make it available, I would.... I still might, anyway

I'm happy to sell it to other people!!

 

[frank9755]

The Boardman in Halfords for £999 seems a good deal, not sure if its more racey though.

Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't!

By going out and looking at possible answers before working out what the question is, you make it more likely that you'll get a bike that isn't right for what you want.

It's best to start by working out what bike geometry you need. Once you know that, you can look at frames that catch your eye to assess whether they can be adapted to fit you - using the right stems, seatposts, and other adjustments.

How do you work that out? You could either have a fitting (but make sure it is with someone who understands long distance cycling which will rule out most bike shops!) or work it out for yourself by getting a cheap bike, doing research and experimenting. The complication though, is that your ideal fit changes as you ride more, get fitter, get more flexible and get to know what you like and can't put up with. Therefore, a bike that seems right now is very likely not to be right by the time you start LEL.

Therefore I'd recommend that, rather than spending a lot of money now, you would be better to get a cheap / second hand bike, do some research, set it up how you think is right, ride it a lot, adjust things depending on how it goes, then have a fitting and choose a compatible frame. For LEL and audax in general, selection of groupset is probably not as important as getting the right bar tape!

 

[JoeyB]

Cheers for the comments chaps.

Andy, I've just read the first 5 posts on your first link and I can't help that think you were in exactly the same boat as me when you started training for your first LEL, even down to the bit about having an 8 month old baby to work around.... Scary! Has inspired me to get a little bit more serious about doing this though.

Frank, thanks for the info... I had gone out looking at bikes in my price range when I got the first itch for a road bike...since then I had stopped looking and started doing my research into what I should be looking for, a fitting is definitely the next step.

 

[frank9755]

If you ride a bit before you get a fitting, you'll get more out of it than if you do it now. For example, you will be able to tell the fitter what discomfort you get after a longish ride, and he can make the right adjustments to compensate.

 

[JoeyB]

Frank, think I can already answer that from my isle of wight 100km rides.... The saddle!

 

[arallsopp]

LOL. Sounds like youre doing it right. Be out there. Come in here. Build friendships, experience, confidence. You have great adventures ahead.

 

[frank9755]

Yes - sounds like you have some material for a good discussion!

 

[PpPete]

Lots of info about bikes for touring /audax / sportive here

 

[zigzag]

Actually, there is a Kindle version around. Long Martin has the only copy though. If Amazon would buck their ideas up and let me make it available, I would.... I still might, anyway

you can get someone to convert .pdf or .doc(x) file of your book into .mobi (i'd search for a deal on fiverr.com), then you submit the ebook file to https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/signin. (unless amazon doesn't want it to be available for other reasons?). hth

 

[PpPete]

At risk of self promotion, I asked very similar questions last time around: http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/lel-training-advice.18525/
As for whether its possible, the write up of my ride is here: http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/seeya-arallsopp-does-the-lel.35203/

If you have the endurance to wade through the latter link, you've got the spirit for the ride down pat

Have just re-read through the latter link, ( I know, should have bought the book, sorry Andy)
Astonishing how much of my first reading of it - before I ever did my first 100km Audax - has "stuck" in the mind....example: when I drive to events I triple check that the SPD shoes are in the car.
But also how much it has worked on my sub-conscious, driving me to complete that first 100km, my first 200, the hope that one day I might just be good enough to think about 2013, my first SR, the loss of all sense of proportion about what constitutes a "long" ride, and so on.
Thank you again Andy !

 

[martint235]

Ditto. I used to think 40 miles was a long way until I met Andy

 

[JoeyB]

At risk of self promotion, I asked very similar questions last time around: http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/lel-training-advice.18525/
As for whether its possible, the write up of my ride is here: http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/seeya-arallsopp-does-the-lel.35203/

If you have the endurance to wade through the latter link, you've got the spirit for the ride down pat

Ok, just finished reading the latter link... Inspired is not the word!

I love the idea of my first Audax being the LEL 2013. I also think I've managed to bag a riding partner which is a result as I was prepared to go solo and pick up friends along the way. Going to get fitted on Saturday I think, then start looking at bikes after that. Can't wait to start training, just need to get the Great South Run and a Half Marathon out of the way first!

 

[Pato Donald]

Hello to all from California! I came across this thread while researching the LEL and have to say this is the nicest forum I've ever seen on the internet! My intent is to do the ride so if you're still adding names to the map, go ahead and put me on so you can double the amount of Yanks you have! I have a TON of questions, but I'll try to find as many answers as I can in various threads so as not to be too much of a nuisance. Still, I'm sure I'll ask things that have been answered many times over so I apologize in advance. I've never done any serious cycling before, so this is a bit of a big undertaking for me.

A little about me, I'm a former runner who keeps getting injured, so I've decided to switch to cycling for the next few months while my body heals from the pounding of running so it can take on the pounding of cycling!

Also, many thanks to arallsopp for his great write-up of the '09 event! I read each of his posts with great interest. I've thought about buying the book as well! Surely good authors like a bit of financial support for their efforts!

 

[mcshroom]

Astonishing how much of my first reading of it - before I ever did my first 100km Audax - has "stuck" in the mind....example: when I drive to events I triple check that the SPD shoes are in the car.

I wish that had stuck in mine - finding out an hour into the journey is not fun. DAHIKT

 

[JoeyB]

Hi fella, I also found this forum whilst searching for LEL on Google. I also mirror your comments about the forum and arallsopp's write up! Simply inspiring...