Zwift Chat

[CXRAndy]

Brother in law did this oh maybe 14 years ago. He paced it well, started to struggle around day 11. He didn't do massive training rides upto 60 miles maybe. I thought he should jave had some 80 milers back to back to give him a sense of how to manage the pace.

Good luck Steve you will remember it for rest of your life

 

[YMFB]

This doesn't have anything to do with Zwift per se, but I know more people on this part of the forum than anywhere else, so it makes sense to mention it here first, plus I will also be doing some of my training on Zwift for sure, so...

Assuming everything goes to plan, in exactly one year from today, I will be starting my attempt at cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats.

Additional details: doing it as part of an organised tour (with Pedal Britain) because I can't be arsed hauling my own luggage, plus the company and camaraderie of 15 or so other riders will be very welcome; schedule is 14 days, just a tad over 1,000 miles total; I have seen a provisional route, but won't know the exact turn by turn details until nearer the time; not raising money for charity, just doing it cause I've wanted to cross it off my bucket list for a while now.

So you'll probably see irregular updates from me on this subject on here as I let you know how well or badly my training is going. Wish me luck!

Do you hav3 a training programme from pedal Britain or somew else ? I’m planning on LEJOG over 3 weeks next May/June.

thanks

 

[CXRAndy]

Do you hav3 a training programme from pedal Britain or somew else ? I’m planning on LEJOG over 3 weeks next May/June.

thanks

Basics would be, ride as much as possible, increase duration to long all day rides. Take note of hydration and eating the foods which dont upset your stomach for these long days. Ensure your bike setup is comfortable for long rides

 

[steverob]

Do you hav3 a training programme from pedal Britain or somew else ? I’m planning on LEJOG over 3 weeks next May/June.

They do have a basic training blog with hints and tips, but most of it is fairly straightforward stuff. If you want a proper coach-led training program they can provide this at a cost as well, but that's not something I'm looking to do.

@CXRAndy's advice is pretty much what I'm going for as well - build up the mileage, get used to doing longer but slower rides, don't be afraid to take breaks, add in elevation where you can, make sure you're comfortable on the bike and start to do rides on back-to-back(-to-back) days.

That last one is the thing I'm really going to have to work on - will I be as comfortable in the saddle on day 3, 7, 14 as I was on day 1? I definitely have suffered with bad saddle sores in the past and while I think I have the right kit and all the creams to combat it now, I don't get many chances to really test myself as the weekends are my only real opportunities to do long rides. On that note I do have a week off coming up soon, so have a plan to ride every day and see how I get on.

 

[Legs]

That last one is the thing I'm really going to have to work on - will I be as comfortable in the saddle on day 3, 7, 14 as I was on day 1? I definitely have suffered with bad saddle sores in the past and while I think I have the right kit and all the creams to combat it now, I don't get many chances to really test myself as the weekends are my only real opportunities to do long rides. On that note I do have a week off coming up soon, so have a plan to ride every day and see how I get on.

Anecdata here.

I've been riding for nearly 30 years. Although I've never done touring, I've done several weekends of back-to-back 100mi+ rides, 400k Audaxes, 425-odd miles in the National 24, and I've never felt the need to slather my undercarriage or shorts in any kind of cream.

 

[ColinJ]

I've been riding for nearly 30 years. Although I've never done touring, I've done several weekends of back-to-back 100mi+ rides, 400k Audaxes, 425-odd miles in the National 24, and I've never felt the need to slather my undercarriage or shorts in any kind of cream.

Translation: I don't suffer from saddle sores so I have never used a cream to prevent or treat saddle sores!

Obviously, if you have the perfect saddle, bike setup, training, and bum shape, then you might not suffer from sores. If you ever did suffer from them though you would be slathering away like many of us, while trying to sort the problem out.

I am usually okay for a few consecutive days riding 3 hours/day, but a week of 5+ hours/day would often trigger sores. Not a problem often now because I tend to only average about 7 hours/week, with the odd heavier week being, say, 15-20 hours.

I don't routinely use cream, but if a sore were starting then it would be slather time, baby!

 

[Peter Salt]

The one and only time I got chafing was when I did the vEverest - and that was despite changing bibs every 2h. Outside never - it may be a matter of better bike fit than the indoor trainer, better cooling overall, or something else.

I wouldn't stress about the 100k rides also. If my experience of the FRR events is anything to go by - you'll be surprised how little effect the previous day(s) will have. Just make sure to eat well after and get decent rest and you'll be golden.

 

[YMFB]

Thanks for the information, I have had a bike fit, which involved moving everything and changing my pedals, saddle and stem.

I have upped my exercise regimen and it now includes HIIT twice a week as well as Yoga and of course cycling. The most I have cycled over three consecutive days totalled 170 miles. Ive also cycled multiple days in Devon & Cornwall.

It sounds like I’m moving in the right direction but need to do more over the winter months in the garage so I’m not starting from such a low base next spring.

 

[ColinJ]

I don't routinely use cream, but if a sore were starting then it would be slather time, baby!

Naturally, having posted that I realised that yesterday's 51 km ride had left me with a very slight hint of a sore developing!

It is in exactly the same spot that they have developed in previously, so I have slathered some Sudocrem on before this evening's ride.

 

[YMFB]

Thanks for the information, I have had a bike fit, which involved moving everything and changing my pedals, saddle and stem.

I have upped my exercise regimen and it now includes HIIT twice a week as well as Yoga and of course cycling. The most I have cycled over three consecutive days totalled 170 miles. Ive also cycled multiple days in Devon & Cornwall.

It sounds like I’m moving in the right direction but need to do more over the winter months in the garage so I’m not starting from such a low base next spring.

I got sore arms from Saturdays ride, sunburn!