Roped into LeJog

[RoadieT]

So it seems I have been roped into LeJog this year, eeeek.

Going in June so I have about 6 months to prepare which I think is about enough time. The longest ride I have been on to date is 32 miles and I commute to work everyday which is an 11 mile round trip.

Please can I have some advise on training distances and frequency to help make this epic journey as comfortable as possible.

Cheers guys.

 

[Norm]

You lucky bugger. I wish someone would tell me to do it.

11 miles a day will probably be more benefit than you think. I was doing a bit more than that commuting last year, and I could easily manage a 70+ mile day. Now, with a job that is 25+ miles each way, I don't do the daily thing and I know that I've been riding after only 20 miles.

How many days are you taking? Will you be supported or carrying your own stuff? Hotel, B&B or camping? How many in the group? Who is organising the route, the food, the stops, the supplies and the spares?

 

[Archie_tect]

You've got to do it Norm.

 

[vernon]

You lucky bugger. I wish someone would tell me to do it.

Tell yourself to do it!

 

[Norm]

Yeah, yeah, I know. But, please, let's not focus on a throw away line of mine to de-rail RoadieT's request for help.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

it's amazing how far you can ride in a day when you have all day to ride..you'll be fine...especially as you increase weekely mileage in the coming 6 months.

 

[theloafer]

[Please can I have some advise on training distances and frequency to help make this epic journey as comfortable as possible/QUOTE]
hi roadie
first thing is not to panic mate think of it more more like just 17 daily bike rides and not as 1000 mile trip then do a few w/end tours to see how you get on with riding 2 or more days in a row with stuff loaded on the bike fitness will come naturally.. pack only what you will need ...and choose low gearing if you going the senic route .. ps loads of info here to mate..http://www.cycle-endtoend.org.uk/

larry

 

[numbnuts]

I would love to do that, but with my health I don't think I would make it

 

[vernon]

For all those who think that they can not do the ride:

I have done the ride in both directions. I don't think that I was ever less than 22 stones when doing it. I did the rides solo, unsupported and camped all the way.

The first time that I did LEJOG, I had been riding regularly but never more than forty miles in any ride. I then discovered Audazes and in the preceding month I did four rides: 2 x 60 miles, 1 x 100 miles and 1 x 120 miles. Admittedly they were not burdened with luggage but nevertheless they reassured me that the ride ahead was not going to be a problem.

I never practiced with luggage I just pedalled a tad more slowly when doing the ride itself.

The biggest barrier to success is your state of mind. I never treated LEJOG as a 900+ mile ride. It was treated as sixteen consecutive day rides. Each day ride was not treated as a 60+ miles ride but as 3 x 20 mile rides. There was therefore nothing more challenging than a 20 mile ride ahead of me at any time.

If the original poster is camping then he should consume additional calories to cope with moving the luggage as well as him and his bike. Once or twice i was caught out by this. I got nutrition more or less right as I lost the magnificent amount of one pound while doing the ride i.e. I was about 3000 kcalories under budget.

 

[palinurus]

So it seems I have been roped into LeJog this year.

No problem, it's relatively easy to fake a broken leg.

 

[RoadieT]

Thanks for the advice guys. Don't think we will be camping, mainly just B&B, I can sleep anywhere though so not too fussed about that.

At the moment I am not too sure if we will be supported or not, hope we are, I commute with a big 60 litre bag on my back and don't really fancy doing more than that, what is like to ride with panniers?

 

[Muddyfox]

The biggest barrier to success is your state of mind. I never treated LEJOG as a 900+ mile ride. It was treated as sixteen consecutive day rides. Each day ride was not treated as a 60+ miles ride but as 3 x 20 mile rides. There was therefore nothing more challenging than a 20 mile ride ahead of me at any time.

What a great way to look at it Vernon .. you could conquer the world with that kind of outlook

 

[Muddyfox]

what is like to ride with panniers?

Much Much easier than with a backpack on