Advice for my first long distance ride

[bonj2]

Bonj, is that you, are you feeling OK?

I am over 30, i'm allowed. i thought the spesh toupe was comfy but it has been sold off to gavintc (posted it this morning gav btw) now that i have seen the light!

 

[littledan77]

thanks for all the posts guys. This is helping a lot.

I think my bike is tweaked enough, I'll find out on a longer ride if I'm right. I think the next think I'll need is a good pair of cycling shoes.

Any advice on replacing fluids and food on the go?

 

[Crackle]

I think the next think I'll need is a good pair of cycling shoes.

Just on that. Do you ride with toe-clips or clipless now?

 

[speccy1]

thanks for all the posts guys. This is helping a lot.

I think my bike is tweaked enough, I'll find out on a longer ride if I'm right. I think the next think I'll need is a good pair of cycling shoes.

Any advice on replacing fluids and food on the go?

Little and often works best for me, enough to keep you going but not too much

 

[littledan77]

Just on that. Do you ride with toe-clips or clipless now?

I ride clipless at the moment

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Well that is a good start.

I thing your bike is OK for the task but as all others have said I would get some serious miles under your belt and look at either extending time allowed or most certainly decrease distance on 1st two days.

Best of luck.

I ride clipless at the moment

 

[Crackle]

I ride clipless at the moment

Meaning you currently use cycling shoes and clip in pedals right, just to be absolutely clear as you mentioned buying a decent pair of shoes. You don't mean clipless as in nothing, just pedals and ordinary shoes. I ask because the term is confusing for those who don't use it.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Very good point - Pedals without toe clips or cleat inserts are knows as flats!!! Very confusing I agree

Meaning you currently use cycling shoes and clip in pedals right, just to be absolutely clear as you mentioned buying a decent pair of shoes. You don't mean clipless as in nothing, just pedals and ordinary shoes. I ask because the term is confusing for those who don't use it.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

First thing, in full agreement with everyone else - change your aims, and cycle less in the first two days. Take longer to do the whole trip. You should be aiming at roughly the same effort on each day within your abilities. With your level of experience, I would probably go for something like Edinburgh to Newcastle on the first day - and that will hurt, believe me - and then build it up a little. I would add an extra day or preferably two into your schedule as I can't see you doing this unsupported in the time scale you have set, with your experience - or at least not without causing yourself severe pain during and afterwards.

 

[littledan77]

I've put in an alternative route so that the distances are a little more manageable.

edinburgh to darlington (127miles), darlington to leicester(150miles), leicester to newhaven(150miles) and dieppe to Paris(100miles).

does that seem more reasonable?

 

[Royalrider]

Hi,
A very interesting read and I wish you all the best. I can't comment on whether its overly ambitious for someone of your cycling experience or not. I know I couldn't do those distances on consecutive days.
You have been given lots of good advice but just my observation. Have you considered the ascents and descents you will encounter. It is not simply a matter of distance. I had a look at your revised day 2. There are some serious hills skirting the North York moors. If you got your distance ie 150 miles from Google maps (Thats what it gives for walking from Darlington to Leicester) would you really want to cycle down the A19 and A 60 for hours on end!! Have you worked out an actual route with distances keeping you off the main roads? Seriously consider the amount of climbing you will need to do each day.
As I said at the start all the very best.

 

[Paulus]

I've put in an alternative route so that the distances are a little more manageable.

edinburgh to darlington (127miles), darlington to leicester(150miles), leicester to newhaven(150miles) and dieppe to Paris(100miles).

does that seem more reasonable?

That is a bit more like it, As for eating and drinking on the go, I find that on long rides, and I have done quite a few 100 milers, I find it best to eat and drink a little every ten miles or so, drink more if the weather is hot.

 

[littledan77]

That is a bit more like it, As for eating and drinking on the go, I find that on long rides, and I have done quite a few 100 milers, I find it best to eat and drink a little every ten miles or so, drink more if the weather is hot.

That's great advice, thanks. What types of food do you guys suggest? Whats recommended for maintaining energy whilst not being too bulky?

 

[bonj2]

That's great advice, thanks. What types of food do you guys suggest? Whats recommended for maintaining energy whilst not being too bulky?

in terms of energy drink I personally recommend maximuscle viper. Probably very similar chemical composition/nutritional value to say SiS PSP22, but imho tastes a lot nicer. Quite tart, rather than bland.

 

[jimboalee]

http://www.aukweb.net/handbook/index.htm

Download the pdf Handbook.
Read from Page 8 onwards.

Simon doesn't say much about nutrition. So there is :-

http://www.northlan.gov.uk/leisure+...ities/cycling/nutrition+for+common+rides.html


Good luck.