500 miles in 4 days...

[Heisenberg71]

• Clean shorts every day
• Draft where you can
• Try and crack more than 50% of the day's miles before lunch so you are not staring into a 70 mile afternoon

Great advice, thank you.

 

[Heisenberg71]

Sudocreme with the fresh shorts.
Factor 30 if you're lucky with the weather.
Change hand positions regularly.
Keep the cadence up.
Drink a bit more than thirst dictates and regularly.
Eat and then eat some more.
With every pint of beer, have a pint of water with High5 'Zero' tabs in.
If full baths are available, have one; and take ten minutes to stretch afterwards.
Given you're expecting to ride in a small group and therefore benefit from drafting (and vice versa) consider mudguards if the forecast is poor (for those on your wheel, and vice versa).
However bad you feel at the start of Days 2, 3 and 4 (and of course hopefully you'll feel fine), tell yourself you'll feel a lot better after a few miles riding (which will be true).
Arrange a following wind.

Top advice Sir, thank you. I like the Day 2, and 4 bit. I will tell myself that for the first ten miles every day.
If only the wind blows northerly for four days.

 

[Ajax Bay]

The course is flattish. Effectively London to Edinburgh. We set off from Dartford to Lutterworth, then to Leeds, Newcastle and finally Edinburgh.

Think you'd prefer southerly winds, actually.
Forecast suggests headwinds for your long first day but then lovely tailwinds for Sun/Mon/Tue. Enjoy (and think of the tailwinds to come as you battle through on Saturday).

 

[Pale Rider]

Are you on roads all the way?

London to Edinburgh could take in a lot of cycle paths on which you will struggle to maintain 15mph, no matter how fit you are.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I did 530 miles in five days last September on my own, nothing lumpy and finishing at home each night, I got slower as the week went on but averaged over 15mph each day. I would say if you are in a group 15mph average is more than doable.

Tips that haven't been given (or I've just missed!)
You are going to have plenty of daylight so don't worry about the time and take plenty of stops, even if they are for a few minutes. sometimes just getting off the bike and sitting on a bench for two minutes while you each a choccy bar is enough.

Totally agree about the bath advice above, after the bath make sure you are properly dry and slap on the sudocrem, your body will thank you in the morning.

Good luck with the ride

 

[jefmcg]

@Heisenberg71 you are going to be fine. You are clearly well prepared for the ride and it suits you. It's going to be hard, but it's within your range.

Do take a look left and right as you cross the country. It's worth a look.

... as I was informed when I studied for citizenship. The variety of the UK landscape was an emphasised point. Considering I am from Australia and have been to USA and Russia, I wasn't impressed. But memorised the correct answer, 'cause I paid money and it was an electronic test. You pass or fail, no negotiation involved.

 

[Ajax Bay]

London to Edinburgh could take in a lot of cycle paths on which you will struggle to maintain 15mph, no matter how fit you are.

I rather doubt cycle paths will be on the agenda - they're doing 144 miles on the first day. NCN wiggling quickly loses its attraction in such circumstances and you want to maintain speed and momentum (which is often not fair on other users and difficult if you're stopping at gates etc all too often). Staying off trunk and mostly off A roads: yes. 'Cycle paths': no (though I'd make an exception for ones like the Strawberry Line from Axbridge to Yatton (not on OP's route)).

 

[Heisenberg71]

Think you'd prefer southerly winds, actually.
Forecast suggests headwinds for your long first day but then lovely tailwinds for Sun/Mon/Tue. Enjoy (and think of the tailwinds to come as you battle through on Saturday).

That's what I wanted to hear! COME ON!

 

[Heisenberg71]

More great advice guys, thank you.
Mostly roads actually I believe. I really don't like cycle paths with coarse gravel and overgrown nettles etc. Commuting every day means I don't have an issue with traffic, trucks and buses etc. Stick to roads for me.

Bath every night a good call.

 

[Lakesideride]

So the time has finally arrived for the most ridiculous thing I have ever talked myself into. 500 miles in just four days, riding effectively London to Edinburgh. Me and 30 guys from work, supported. We set off Saturday morning.

I am nervous and excited in equal amounts. I've put the extra training in, done the miles in a day needed, just never back-to-back, four times. Great adventure and a great test. Anyone got any top tips for long days in the saddle or back-to-back days?

Sounds awsemome good for you, Good Luck!!all I can think of is a good pair of shorts and stand once in awhile, helps to relieve cramping as well

 

[Ajax Bay]

Just found this from @marcusjb 's blog (via yacf Mille Pennines) 'Finding Where the Edges Are' (an inspirational (pushing the envelope) 'must read' btw - 10 days @ average 250km per day, in lovely weather) which seems apposite:
"At the top [of the the Col de la Republic], there is a monument to Paul de Vivie (Vélocio), who is pretty important in the history of riding! His 7 point code for cyclists is as useful today as it was when he wrote it:

1. Keep your stops short and few.
2. Eat before you're hungry, drink before you're thirsty.
3. Never get too tired to eat or sleep.
4. Add a layer before you're cold, take one off before you're hot.
5. Lay off wine, meat and tobacco on tour.
6. Ride within yourself, especially in the first hour.
7. Never show off."

 

[raleighnut]

Just found this from @marcusjb 's blog (via yacf Mille Pennines) 'Finding Where the Edges Are' (an inspirational (bonkers) 'must read' btw - 10 days @ average 250km per day, in lovely weather) which seems apposite:
"At the top [of the the Col de la Republic], there is a monument to Paul de Vivie (Vélocio), who is pretty important in the history of riding! His 7 point code for cyclists is as useful today as it was when he wrote it:

1. Keep your stops short and few.
2. Eat before you're hungry, drink before you're thirsty.
3. Never get too tired to eat or sleep.
4. Add a layer before you're cold, take one off before you're hot.
5. Lay off wine, meat and tobacco on tour.
6. Ride within yourself, especially in the first hour.
7. Never show off."

Don't agree with #5.

 

[nickyboy]

Don't agree with #5.

..and what on earth does "too tired to sleep" mean?

 

[jefmcg]

..and what on earth does "too tired to sleep" mean?

You're lucky. I've been so tired I been nearly crying on a plane but unable to sleep. Similarly on LEL I'd sleep an hour, wake exhausted but unable to sleep, and drag my poor body back on the road.

 

[raleighnut]

You're lucky. I've been so tired I been nearly crying on a plane but unable to sleep. Similarly on LEL I'd sleep an hour, wake exhausted but unable to sleep, and drag my poor body back on the road.

I've been there too, your mind is just racing but the body is wrecked.