London to Southend

[Primal Scream]

Just received my welcome pack, not to sure if this is a good idea, I have not cycled more than 10 miles in over 25 years.

Pretty fit for a 61 year old due to my regular gym sessions but I am concerned that I have bitten off more than I can chew.
Still I bought a new Triban 5 a few weeks ago so in for a penny in for a pound.

Any advice would be welcome.

 

[Pedal pusher]

Take it steady and enjoy the ride you will be fine

 

[ianrauk]

it's an easy ride for a beginner as it's flat as a pancake.
If you are pretty fit anyway it shouldn't be a problem.
Just make sure you wear a decent pair of padded shorts (no underwear)
Drink and eat little and often in the ride.
With all the others on the ride you will also be dragged along by the camaraderie.
Enjoy...!!

 

[funk my fixie]

hey primal scream
I will be there with my big bro' and my pictured baby (left) on the rear end in her cycle chair. I am almost 40 and if I can do it then you can too. I did it some years ago and as the above post says, it is quite flat. I have my own time which I am aiming to achieve but most people just out for a good day will be happy under 4 hours and patting themselves on the back at under 3 1/2 hours. So go, enjoy and see you out there

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I am in my late fifties and i did the london to southend two years ago

I was new to riding when i did it but i did quite a few twenty+ training miles leading up to it and i was fine on the day.

Riding your triban will make it a lot easier as well as you see some people riding postman bikes

As ian said you will be dragged along with the camaraderie of the event

I'm doing it myself again this year....i'll be looking out for you!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I'm in my late 50s and did it on my first Friday Night ride to the coast last week. I was all nervous before about whether I'd be holding up the others - I'm definitely not fast these days! In the event, there was no problem apart from being a little saddle sore, it was great fun and I'm really glad I did it - I can't wait to do the next ride to Whitstable.

That saddle soreness surprised me but, thinking about it, I hadn't done any long rides since October last year and my butt wasn't match fit. Everyone's different, but it might help to get yourself used to being in the saddle (or changing the saddle if it doesn't suit your sit bones) with some regular riding.

 

[caimg]

Can I ask when this is? I haven't done anything above what I did today (27 miles) but I really want to do a long one. How much does it cost? Have I missed the entry date? Etc etc

 

[ianrauk]

Can I ask when this is? I haven't done anything above what I did today (27 miles) but I really want to do a long one. How much does it cost? Have I missed the entry date? Etc etc

UK roads are free to ride on. Of course you can tag along if you wish.
The L2B ride has a good few thousand 'extras' every year and can imagine this ride will have a good few too.

 

[Primal Scream]

Thank you all for your reples they have set my mind at rest.

The camaraderie will help a lot as it did when I ran the London Marathon a few times in the past, come to think of it I was nervous and doubtful before my first marathon as well FMF, I will keep an eye out for you and your Daughter, if you seeme give a wave I will be the one in the London to Southend bike ride T shirt

 

[caimg]

UK roads are free to ride on. Of course you can tag along if you wish.
The L2B ride has a good few thousand 'extras' every year.

Oh sorry I assumed it was an organized event with paid entry or something! *slaps forehead* great I'll check it out!

 

[Primal Scream]

caimg, google bike events for the details,

 

[funk my fixie]

Oh sorry I assumed it was an organized event with paid entry or something! *slaps forehead* great I'll check it out!

http://bike-events.com/Ride.aspx?id=338

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Can I ask when this is? I haven't done anything above what I did today (27 miles) but I really want to do a long one. How much does it cost? Have I missed the entry date? Etc etc

caimg, if you were responding to my post about the Friday night rides, there's a site here and look for news on the upcoming rides in the Informal rides forum on here. As for costs, I had to pay for CTC club membership (either £15 or 12), the train ride back (being too feeble to join the big boys and girls to cycle back!) and a real olde worlde annual membership fee of £2! Oh, and adequate lights for unlit roads.

 

[funk my fixie]

Thank you all for your reples they have set my mind at rest.

The camaraderie will help a lot as it did when I ran the London Marathon a few times in the past, come to think of it I was nervous and doubtful before my first marathon as well FMF, I will keep an eye out for you and your Daughter, if you seeme give a wave I will be the one in the London to Southend bike ride T shirt

Hell yeah baby, can't wait for it this is a big wave from my wing man in case we don't see you. She will be sporting her new ipod she got for her birthday to keep her amused. It gets very boring looking at dad's bottom for 2 1/2 hours hehehehe.

 

[Primal Scream]

Two and a half hours! and with a passenger, I doubt I could do two and a half hours with an engine