Newbie 300 mile ride

[woody2k4]

Hi all i am new to the forum and am after some advice. I am taking part in a charity bike ride from London - Paris 300 miles!

The most i have done before in a day is 60 on a ride last year.

I am looking for any advice and tips and if anyone has done thisa ride?

look forward to your replies

Dean

 

[Arch]

Hi!

I'm assuming the 300 is over a couple of days (unless you are planningto cycle the Channel too)?

If you've done 60 once already, I reckon you're well on the way. Get out on as many regular longish practice rides as you can, but don't worry overly if you don't often do the sort of daily distance you'll be doing on the ride - once you can do 40, for example, 50 isn't much more, and 60 is doable. Likewise, once you do 60 regularly, 80 is not that much more, etc... And riding in a big group makes a big difference to morale - a group tends to pull you along.

Do you have the bike you intend to do the ride on? Get to know it (if you intend to get a new one, this is very important), so that it is set up exactly right for comfort, and you feel at one with it. Likewise any shoes or shorts ir whatever you intend to wear. You don't want to get 40 miles in and find there's an aggravating little seam in your shorts, or your shoes are too tight or something.

 

[woody2k4]

Hi Arch, thanks for your reply!

I am getting out as much as i can, i usually work 12 hour shifts that are 8am-8pm so if i can ill get out for an hour before it gets dark.

Also been doing spinning sessions at the gym. I do intend on getting a new bike for the ride, also need a few bits and bobs. Are there any good sites or places to go?

 

[Riverman]

And riding in a big group makes a big difference to morale - a group tends to pull you along.

Trouble with riding in a group (although I don't have much experience of it) is I expect the group tends to pull you along at a speed you're not comfortable with.

 

[Arch]

Trouble with riding in a group (although I don't have much experience of it) is I expect the group tends to pull you along at a speed you're not comfortable with.

Depends on the group.... Obviously, if I went out with a fast roadie group, I'd pretty soon be conking out and left behind. But in a group of like minded mates I can probably sustain a couple of miles an hour faster than I would if riding alone. In fact I was out on Saturday with one other person, and I suspect he kept my average up by a couple of miles an hour, mostly unconciously, but there were a couple of times when I remember thinking "If I was alone, I'd have slowed down for a bit then...". And that's purely on a social 'having someone to chat to' basis, as opposed to the aerodynamic benefits of having other people to take the headwind some of the time.

Woody, I suggest you get your new bike and stuff as soon as you can, so as to have time to get to know each other. The recommendation is usually to go to your local bike shop, so that you can be sure the bike fits and get advice etc...

 

[woody2k4]

i will wait untill i get paid then will get it! getting worried about it all!!! and tips on for enegry sources while riding?

 

[Sittingduck]

Flapjacks, bananas, squash, water

 

[jimboalee]

On the ride you're going on you will be eating as much breakfast the waiter can serve to you.
You will be stopping for lunch and eating a good three course dinner each evening.

Do not worry about nutrition.

Worry about increasing the bloodflow to your leg muscles. BTW, this takes months of hard work.

 

[Arch]

On the ride you're going on you will be eating as much breakfast the waiter can serve to you.
You will be stopping for lunch and eating a good three course dinner each evening.

Do not worry about nutrition.

Worry about increasing the bloodflow to your leg muscles. BTW, this takes months of hard work.

Don't frighten the lad (Sorry, I assume 'lad'?)

In my experience you can be surprised at what you manage in that kind of atmosphere, big group etc. Just getting out and getting as much practice as you can, without knackering yourself, is good. What is the daily distance BTW?