Training advice before first major tour

[Ice2911]

Any advice on how to train for first major tour, hope to do LEJOG next year. Will be a leisurely enjoy the view type of tour over 2 to 3 weeks. So I'm guessing between 50 to 70 miles a day. How many miles should I be doing a week prior to this? Starting from a low baseline so will gradually build mileage up. Any help appreciated, thank you.

 

[Hill Wimp]

^^^^^ couldn't agree more.

 

[mjr]

I'd do some back-to-back 30+ mile days fairly early on. That can show up potential problems with bike or position that you'll never notice otherwise. A sub-24-hour overnight trip would be good too, but I didn't find time for one before my first tour.

Will you be carrying much luggage? The furthest I've done so far is 300 miles over 6 days and I think 50 miles a day on UK roads with luggage wouldn't feel leisurely for more days than that, especially not with the sharp hills in the south-west of England (that tour was in East Anglia, Holland and Utrecht, but I've ridden in Somerset and Devon).

 

[T4tomo]

Back to bAck days is good advice, so your body gets used to it. Also train a bit with the level of kit you'll be carrying (approximately) so you get used to it

 

[Ice2911]

I'd do some back-to-back 30+ mile days fairly early on. That can show up potential problems with bike or position that you'll never notice otherwise. A sub-24-hour overnight trip would be good too, but I didn't find time for one before my first tour.

Will you be carrying much luggage? The furthest I've done so far is 300 miles over 6 days and I think 50 miles a day on UK roads with luggage wouldn't feel leisurely for more days than that, especially not with the sharp hills in the south-west of England (that tour was in East Anglia, Holland and Utrecht, but I've ridden in Somerset and Devon).

I hope to do B and B so will try and keep load to a minimum. Definitely only rear panniers and handlebar bag for map and bits and pieces. Thanks for the above advice

 

[Ice2911]

Back to bAck days is good advice, so your body gets used to it. Also train a bit with the level of kit you'll be carrying (approximately) so you get used to it

It will be the back to backness of it that I am unused to so good advice. Will ride with panniers a few weeks before. Thank you

 

[jay clock]

what they said. Get to the point where you can do 2 x 50 mile days on the same bike and you will be fine

 

[Big T]

Depends what you are used to, but look to increase your riding distance by about 10% every couple of weeks. So 30, 33, 37, 41, 45, 50 etc.

Also look to do back to back rides over a weekend. This will get you used to riding with that slightly achy feeling from the day before in your legs. By the time you do your Lejog, you should be able to ride your average daily distance comfortably.

 

[Tim Hall]

Make sure you're comfortable on the bike for long periods of time. This should become apparent if you do two days at 50 miles back to back, as suggested upthread.

 

[jay clock]

You will also find that as long as you can cope with days 1-3, you will cycle yourself into fitness. I generally have one full rest day on a two week tour as well

 

[Ice2911]

Make sure you're comfortable on the bike for long periods of time. This should become apparent if you do two days at 50 miles back to back, as suggested upthread.

Thank you, the comfortable on a bike I am getting help from my local bike shop over set up. I am wondering what type of saddle and shorts though and whether to move to combination pedals, I've always used toe clips in the past

 

[Ajax Bay]

wondering what type of saddle and shorts though and whether to move to combination pedals

Shorts with a pad recommended, for multi day trips, for sure. And a spare pair to use on even days. Just use the saddle you've got (assuming you already own the bike you're planning to use) with the aforementioned shorts. If it's not comfortable enough (give it a decent shot/try) then try another saddle, and repeat. See if you can find some 'which saddle' threads on here. Everything that could be said, has already been said (probably multiple times). Pedal choice is up to you. More important is to find a comfortable pair of shoes. If you do decide to go for 'clipless' for the type of riding you describe, I suggest SPD type cleats would be best.

 

[Simon_m]

like everyone says, just get out and put miles in to your legs. If you can't get out on the roads, then use your home turbo trainer or get to the gym and just "cycle" The thing I have found with tours, you can almost turn up cold and get fit from the tour itself. I trained hard for the TransAm, all through the winter. Yet from blogs I have read people did no training. France this year (3weeks coast to coast), I did a few long rides and that was it. I guess it depends on your level of fitness too

 

[snorri]

Thank you, the comfortable on a bike I am getting help from my local bike shop over set up. I am wondering what type of saddle and shorts though and whether to move to combination pedals, I've always used toe clips in the past

If the saddle on your bike at present is satisfactory, don't change it, similarly if existing trousers/shorts are satisfactory there is no need to change. Padding is optional, if you feel comfortable without, why bother? Stick with toe clips if they have served you well in the past.
Don't allow yourself to become overawed by LEJOG, it's just a series of day trips, but much more enjoyable than day trips around your local area as you pass through new territory every day.

 

[Soltydog]

Also train a bit with the level of kit you'll be carrying (approximately) so you get used to it

Make sure you take in some hill training with all your kit on too My first solo tour was a bit of a rude awakening. I'd never ridden with a few days worth of gear on my bike & being flat as a pancake round here, hills were not my strong point. My first hill with a loaded bike felt like I had flat tyre, so stopped & checked, but no, it was just the extra weight. I ended up posting a load of clothes home after day 2