250 miles

[iZaP]

So, after training a bit more properly, I want to do a ride of roughly 250 miles (london-preston) during spring, or just before the summer. This would be my first such trip across England.

So...I've got a few questions...

Is it possible to do this amount of cycling in a day?

Roughly how physically I have to be prepared? in terms of cycling distances and average speeds?

what sort of extra weight would i have to carry for such trip?


any more tips and advice would be welcome

 

[jimboalee]

So, after training a bit more properly, I want to do a ride of roughly 250 miles (london-preston) during spring, or just before the summer. This would be my first such trip across England.

So...I've got a few questions...

Is it possible to do this amount of cycling in a day?

Roughly how physically I have to be prepared? in terms of cycling distances and average speeds?

what sort of extra weight would i have to carry for such trip?


any more tips and advice would be welcome

Its an Audax DIY 400. 24 hrs.

 

[PaulSB]

Is it possible to do this amount of cycling in a day?

I don't know, for me it would not be. My cycle club offer various touring awards, bronze, silver, gold and this year introduced a diamond award. These awards require the rider to complete various routes /distances. For the diamond award the route is 240 miles. I only know one person who has attempted this, he is a very, very experienced cyclist of 50-55, or perhaps more, years experience. This rider had to give up after 196 miles as he was so badly blistered. He told me this had never happened to him before.

To do the distance in a day, assume you mean 24 hours, you'd have to average 12 miles an hour for 21 hours allowing yourself 3 hours for stops etc. I've no doubt it's possible but I think you'd need to be extremely fit and have excellent stamina.

 

[vorsprung]

So, after training a bit more properly, I want to do a ride of roughly 250 miles (london-preston) during spring, or just before the summer. This would be my first such trip across England.

So...I've got a few questions...

Is it possible to do this amount of cycling in a day?

Roughly how physically I have to be prepared? in terms of cycling distances and average speeds?

what sort of extra weight would i have to carry for such trip?


any more tips and advice would be welcome

to answer your questions
1) "is it possible"
250 miles is approx 400km

Last year I did three 400km audax rides
The first was in Wales, I had bike problems and got lost. It was quite wet too. It took me 23 hours
The next was a test run for my own 400km event, it isn't flat but it is a relatively easy ride. I stopped quite a bit however. 22 hours
Then a test run for someone elses event, starting near Oxford and going to Hay on Wye in Wales. 24 hours

Additionally I did a 1000km over 75 hours. Day one was near enough 400km, this took 20 hours
And the Bryan Chapman Memorial 600 first day is just under 400km and this took me 20 hours last year.

2) "Roughly how physically I have to be prepared? in terms of cycling distances and average speeds?"
My average speed while moving is generally about 22kph. But it isn't about speed, it's about endurance
The first 400km I ever did was a few years ago now. I prepared for it by doing a 300km. I prepared for the 300km by doing a 200km

3) "what sort of extra weight would i have to carry for such trip?"
I use a 16 litre SQR tour saddle bag with tools, spares, tights to wear at night, raincoat which is also an extra layer for the cold of early AM, lots of flapjack, 2x 1 litre water bottles, electrolyte powder, maps for the entire route, mobile phone, 2 x spare inner tubes, gilet, arm warmers, overshoes, spare socks, extra gloves

4) "tips and advice"
keep eating. Or...and this is probably a better idea...split your ride into 2 or 3 days

 

[RedBike]

Is it possible to do this amount of cycling in a day?

Yes, 250miles is possible. I think I did a 200 earlier this year.

Roughly how physically I have to be prepared? in terms of cycling distances and average speeds?

You might need to ride through the night. It's probably a good idea to get a few 10-12hr rides under your belt first and a few night rides.

what sort of extra weight would i have to carry for such trip?

As little as possible! but make sure you're well prepared if disaster strikes.

You will need to carry additional clothing (it will be cold at night) and a fresh change of short/shirt after 12hrs+ in the saddle will be very welcome.

You will need to find several places to stop for food and water along the route. It's not really practical to start off carrying say 6 liters of water and all your meals.

any more tips and advice would be welcome

Take some sort of head torch for reading your map.
Lube up well.
Mark on the map the location of 24hr petrol stations, supermarkets, hotels etc. That way you've got somewhere to stop during the night to 're-fuel'.
A silver 'space' blanket weighes nothing but it helps to keep you warm if you need to stop for repairs.
I like to take a gas stove OR one of these http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=...ent=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wf
so that I can stop for something hot to eat as a treat.

 

[zigzag]

So, after training a bit more properly, I want to do a ride of roughly 250 miles (london-preston) during spring, or just before the summer. This would be my first such trip across England.

So...I've got a few questions...

Is it possible to do this amount of cycling in a day?

Roughly how physically I have to be prepared? in terms of cycling distances and average speeds?

what sort of extra weight would i have to carry for such trip?


any more tips and advice would be welcome

yes, possible if you've done some training as you said. it will take about a day, if you can maintain 14mi/hr average speed. i wouldn't carry more than 5kg of extra weight for a day's trip.

 

[iZaP]

Thanks for all the input guys. As I understood 24hours would be pushing it.

So I'd rather do it in two days, with B&B possibly

Because I'd like to cycle back as well after recovery.

 

[jimboalee]

to answer your questions
1) "is it possible"
250 miles is approx 400km

Last year I did three 400km audax rides
The first was in Wales, I had bike problems and got lost. It was quite wet too. It took me 23 hours
The next was a test run for my own 400km event, it isn't flat but it is a relatively easy ride. I stopped quite a bit however. 22 hours
Then a test run for someone elses event, starting near Oxford and going to Hay on Wye in Wales. 24 hours

Additionally I did a 1000km over 75 hours. Day one was near enough 400km, this took 20 hours
And the Bryan Chapman Memorial 600 first day is just under 400km and this took me 20 hours last year.

2) "Roughly how physically I have to be prepared? in terms of cycling distances and average speeds?"
My average speed while moving is generally about 22kph. But it isn't about speed, it's about endurance
The first 400km I ever did was a few years ago now. I prepared for it by doing a 300km. I prepared for the 300km by doing a 200km

3) "what sort of extra weight would i have to carry for such trip?"
I use a 16 litre SQR tour saddle bag with tools, spares, tights to wear at night, raincoat which is also an extra layer for the cold of early AM, lots of flapjack, 2x 1 litre water bottles, electrolyte powder, maps for the entire route, mobile phone, 2 x spare inner tubes, gilet, arm warmers, overshoes, spare socks, extra gloves

4) "tips and advice"
keep eating. Or...and this is probably a better idea...split your ride into 2 or 3 days

The bike made a stupid error and took him down the wrong road. It always rains in Wales.

 

[jimboalee]

A 400 is two back-to-back 200s with a two hour break between.

Or, 4 off 100s with a one hour break between each.

Or you could do the eight 50s with half an hour nosh stop after each.

Or sixteen 25s with 15 minute stops.

It sounds easier as I go on.

I prefer the 16 x 25s. Gives the bike chance to cool down.


Split the 400 into sixteen sections of approx 25 km to take a break of 10-15 minutes after each. If you get a puncture, you can repair it and take your break at the same time and cancel the next scheduled break, only stopping to load the next section on the Garmin.
15 miles is not far when you know there is coffee and a bun in just over an hour.

PS If a Garmin Edge, you'll need a PowerChimp to supplement the internal battery.

 

[iZaP]

A 400 is two back-to-back 200s with a two hour break between.

Or, 4 off 100s with a one hour break between each.

Or you could do the eight 50s with half an hour nosh stop after each.

Or sixteen 25s with 15 minute stops.

It sounds easier as I go on.

I prefer the 16 x 25s. Gives the bike chance to cool down.


Split the 400 into sixteen sections of approx 25 km to take a break of 10-15 minutes after each. If you get a puncture, you can repair it and take your break at the same time and cancel the next scheduled break, only stopping to load the next section on the Garmin.
15 miles is not far when you know there is coffee and a bun in just over an hour.

PS If a Garmin Edge, you'll need a PowerChimp to supplement the internal battery.

After reaching my destination the second day, I'll have somewhere to stay (my friends) to recover as much as I can and then prepare for the journey back home

 

[RedBike]

A lot will depend upon your route.

If you head up the West coast theres several big towns to that you'll probably want to miss, Birmingham, Manchester, Warrington but generally through-out 'Cheshire' the roads are pretty flat.

If you go up the center of the country then you'll hit the Pennines. The roads are anything but flat but the scenery is much better.

 

[jimboalee]

After reaching my destination the second day, I'll have somewhere to stay (my friends) to recover as much as I can and then prepare for the journey back home

So you've decided to do a pair of back-to-back 200s with a night's sleep between.

Much the same strategy applies. Split each 200 into 25km sections and stop for cakes seven times.


I rode Lands End to Solihull in two days on a Specialised SWorks with my PRK, small wallet and phone. 245km first day and 230 km the second. Stayed in a B&B in Wellington, Somerset.
Food and drinks were purchased en route at village stores and bakeries every 15 miles or so. Didn't even take a bottle. The bottle and cage were weight I didn't need.

The only extra stuff I took with me were a pair of Boxer shorts to sleep in while my cycle kit was drying. Binned the boxers after use. They weighed 2 oz, 2 oz that I didn't need to carry through the second day.

 

[Greenbank]

Its an Audax DIY 400. 24 hrs.

You get 27 hours for standard 400 at BRM pace. Almost 28 hours for a DIY 400 at the slightly more relaxed BR pace.

 

[Ian H]

Make sure you're a comfortable as possible on the bike. Plan your route with care. Train using short hard rides and events up to, say, half the distance you're planning. Make it a tour with cafe stops.