beginner with aspirations for Oxford to Cambs in oct

[MyCycle]

I am literally just starting cycling again after 10 years. Previously I was doing 20-25 miles on a MTB. I now own a hybrid and would love to do the BHF ride this year in Oct.

Anyone think this is achievable? If so can anyone offer up some advice on a training schedule?

 

[Becs]

I am literally just starting cycling again after 10 years. Previously I was doing 20-25 miles on a MTB. I now own a hybrid and would love to do the BHF ride this year in Oct.

Anyone think this is achievable? If so can anyone offer up some advice on a training schedule?

I'm thinking about doing this ride too, apparently the bits through the chilterns/bedfordshire area are pretty tough but it's v flat towards then end. I'm not sure about training schedules, just trying to get out as much as poss to get the butt used to sitting on the saddle for several hours (I reckon it's going to be a good 6-7hours of riding). Where are you based? If it's London laps of Richmond park might be a good place to start?

 

[Camgreen]

Did the Oxford to Cambridge last year having started cycling in April. As with any other event it's all about getting the miles under your belt. If you can manage 40-50 now, then that's a good start. We increased the mileage over the whole of the Summer, doing the relatively flat Suffolk 60 and then a fortnight before O to C we did the Manchester 100k. Probably didn't need a whole Summer schedule, but from a personal point of view I was all the happier building up the distance in stages; a lot depends on your fitness levels, confidence and determination.

There are a few nice steep hills around the 40 mile(?), Brickhill I think, which were quite challenging; but if you can climb on your hybrid then it shouldn't be insurmountable.

Bottom line is get out on the bike now and see what you're capable of as a marker of your base point. You'll need to cycle a fair old distance on the day and you don't want to find out 40-50 miles in to it that you've taken on more than your body will allow.

It was great fun all the same; I'd do it again for sure.

 

[MyCycle]

thanks for the replies, i will be out for the rest of the week and weekend finding out my current levels. I am in cambridge so at least wont have far to travel at the end.

 

[Becs]

thanks for the replies, i will be out for the rest of the week and weekend finding out my current levels. I am in cambridge so at least wont have far to travel at the end.

I did a really nice ride circumnavigating Cambridge the other day through loads of villages (the parents live in bottisham). It was a very flat 45 miles with the option to turn back into town at any point so maybe it could suit you. Rough route was Bottisham, Wilbraham, Fulbourn, shelford, some villages beginning with H around the south of town, Madingley, Hardwick, Longstanton, Oakington, Cottenham, Waterbeach, Horningsea, Fen Ditton and back to Bottisham. Only real hill was gogmagog between fulbourn and shelford

 

[Camgreen]

I did a really nice ride circumnavigating Cambridge the other day through loads of villages (the parents live in bottisham). It was a very flat 45 miles with the option to turn back into town at any point so maybe it could suit you. Rough route was Bottisham, Wilbraham, Fulbourn, shelford, some villages beginning with H around the south of town, Madingley, Hardwick, Longstanton, Oakington, Cottenham, Waterbeach, Horningsea, Fen Ditton and back to Bottisham. Only real hill was gogmagog between fulbourn and shelford

Nice route. Cycled some of those bits before. As you say, pretty flat, lovely brisk downwardish bit between Bottisham and Fulbourn, which is the reward if you've approached Bottisham from Saffron Walden via Ashdon.

Forty five miles, heading in the right direction Becs

 

[Canardly]

Why not just take it over two days?

 

[Camgreen]

Why not just take it over two days?

But won't everybody else already have finished by then?

I assume the OP wanted to take part in the organised event. If it's just a case of doing the distance/route, I agree, two days is a workable solution and probably rather a pleasant idea, just don't think it was what they originally had in mind.

 

[mike-L]

I'm going for this one too, though I'm in Oxford, from a similar starting point fitness-wise.
But we're starting late - I'm OK over short distances but got cramp on a 30 miler yesterday. I am going to keep pushing the distaces up each time over the next few weeks and spin in the garage, evenings.