Planning my first 100-mile ride

[CopperBrompton]

It was the London Sightseer 'Audax' (inverted commas there as it's 100km, not 200km). 5 miles from hotel to the start, then about half an hour of hanging around before the off. 62-mile ride, but included many cycle paths and shared-use paths, so often not much more than walking-pace. Several breaks during that. Then a long break at the end before 19 miles back to Liverpool Street. 40-minute train journey then a final 4 miles.

So quite a different proposition, I think, from a straight 90 miles.

 

[User482]

I did an 85-miler on Saturday, and was getting very tired at only 60 miles. A good rest and re-fuel sorted me right out, and I was fine after that. So make sure you have enough to eat and drink!

 

[CopperBrompton]

Yep, I learned that lesson the hard way on the London 'Audax'. Ate lunch then forgot to eat after that, reached some traffic lights and the energy just drained out of me. Could barely make it across the road.

Fortunately there was a petrol station there. A smoothie and two cheesecakes, and 20 minutes later I was on my way again. :-)

 

[Auntie Helen]

Well Ben this is now in my diary.

I thought I saw a GPS course for it somewhere but can't see it now - if you have one, could you do a link?

 

[dellzeqq]

Ben - this is the secret. Patience. Especially with yourself. If you go through a period where you think 'this is interminable, I'm really not enjoying myself' (or words to that effect) then just take on board that it happens to the best of them.

I wouldn't worry too much about Camelbacks or whatever. Just drink soft drinks (Lucozade Sport is mega) from time to time. It's very difficult to die of thirst in Britain.

 

[CopperBrompton]

Glad you can make it, Helen. The GPS file is linked in the meetup description.

Will indeed be taking is slow and easy, Dell. One piece of advice I read somewhere is that a new challenge is not the time to conduct experiments, just stick with what you usually do, which is Camelbak with an ORT mix. There will be plenty of stops for calories. :-)

 

[Shaun]

The only real problem I had on my 100 mile attempt was loo stops.

My route was pretty much back roads and country lanes to avoid the fast [scary] traffic. Only it never occured to me that these quiet roads would also be fairly empty roads; if it wasn't for a little country pub in the middle of nowhere I would have been hopping around a field with my bibs round my ankles looking for dock leaves ...

Good luck with it - it's got me thinking I might have another go later in the year.

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[CopperBrompton]

My route is rural, but no shortages of pubs en-route. :-)

 

[Auntie Helen]

Ben, I downloaded the GPX file I found in your route description and it didn't work properly in bikehike. Not sure what I did wrong at all but it was just six straight lines. Any chance of you bunging it into bikehike with your more technical knowledge?

 

[Auntie Helen]

Well myself and Gary (fellow Colchester cyclist who did my May ride with us all) are looking forward to this. Weather is looking quite brilliant too, with no wind!

 

[CopperBrompton]

The weather gods and I have an understanding

 

[Auntie Helen]

Well that's good news. You've done well for today too - we're taking Katie/Her_Welshness from YACF for a cycle ride and then a sail, and the threatened thunderstorms have already passed!

Can you do anything for the 15th August London-Southend CC ride?

 

[CopperBrompton]

Afraid our understanding is limited to rides I'm attending (and I can't do that one), but since it's use, I'll share my secret ...

I just slip them a bottle of Shiraz. Honestly, they're anybody's for a few drinks

 

[CopperBrompton]

Thanks again for the advice, folks. My completed ride was 102 miles. :-)

The last 20 miles were tough, and the final 9 were completed on willpower alone (plus a Smoothie and a finger of fudge :-)), but we did it!

Great to meet Auntie Helen at last, and Gary too.

Blog to follow.

 

[Aperitif]

Well done Ben! You had some very good company - I still owe Gary a beer...(maybe the next time I'm stuck in or around the Manningtree area for 23 hours or so...)