Four weeks to go before L2P Am very afraid

[Jacqui]

Hi

I am fairly new to the forum but since signing up for a London to Paris charity ride have become increasingly interested in all things velo. Black lycra and chamoix cream are my new best friends.


Since I fitted my computer in March I have done just over a thousand miles on my old bike and about 280 on my new bike which is 3 weeks old .

My longest ride has been just under 60 miles but i am very slow and my knee was sore as included quite a few hills. I am worried as still feel I need a real distance trip just to know I can do it. Am hoping after the first day when you have to be on a boat I can take it at my own pace as I think part of the route is through the Somme and I am interested in the poetry of the First World War .I also realise however much I am hurting is nothing to what those who died on the battlefield faced.


Any advice on getting through this probably foolhardy trip would be much appreciated .

jacqui

 

[perplexed]

Hi

I am fairly new to the forum but since signing up for a London to Paris charity ride have become increasingly interested in all things velo. Black lycra and chamoix cream are my new best friends.


Since I fitted my computer in March I have done just over a thousand miles on my old bike and about 280 on my new bike which is 3 weeks old .

My longest ride has been just under 60 miles but i am very slow and my knee was sore as included quite a few hills. I am worried as still feel I need a real distance trip just to know I can do it. Am hoping after the first day when you have to be on a boat I can take it at my own pace as I think part of the route is through the Somme and I am interested in the poetry of the First World War .I also realise however much I am hurting is nothing to what those who died on the battlefield faced.


Any advice on getting through this probably foolhardy trip would be much appreciated .

jacqui

That thought will be a powerful motivator. I had a relative who suffered terrible injuries on the Somme, but I gather he liked his bike, so he'd give you the thumbs up!

I've never done a ride like that, so can't advise you, but I'm quite envious!

Enjoy it, think how proud you'll be of yourself when you've done it. I'm sure you won't be the only one with a few jitters...

 

[2Loose]

I am worried for you because of the knee soreness - hopefully it can be adjusted out of the equation, but doing such a mahoosive ride without curing the cause will mean the soreness turns into pain over the longer distances. <drama>.

The new bike's seat may just need a little adjusting to get rid of it...either that or you are trying to push too high a gear, both can cause knee issues over a distance.

Mind you, it could be just the exercise...if you could do 60m on the old bike, but can't ont he new one it'll be an adjustment issue no doubt.

 

[Globalti]

Worthy sentiments indeed but are you sure the new bike is set up right? Have a look at Sheldon Brown for some hints on correct setup.

 

[Jacqui]

Thanks


My knees were fairly iffy before I even began training and think the distance / hills and too hard gears made it ache . I have some strengthening / stretches suggested by a physio and just got my bike back from a service where he has done one or two little adjustments .

I have a GP appointment at the end of the month and think i will ask for a referral to a knee doctor as I hope to continue cycling after the trip but for leisure and pleasure .

I think it is a somewhat foolhardy project yet the training has certainly made me fitter and I have really enjoyed getting out on my bike . People have also given me a lot of money.

I will keep you posted and thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[swee'pea99]

 


Any advice  on getting through this  probably foolhardy  trip would be much appreciated .

jacqui

When you get off the boat, go on the other side of the road. No no, that's ok - no charge....

 

[Steve H]

Hi Jacqui,

Try learning this phrase...

Avez-vous des médicaments analgésiques pour mon genou douloureux ?

I looked it up for you on a translation website. Apparently it means...

Do you have any painkillers for my sore knee?

Steve

 

[divingrob]

Jacqui your post inspired me to join up here so heres my first post,

I did L2P in June of this year, with about 4 weeks to go I was really doubting whether I was going to be able to complete the ride, Ours wasnt a chairity one but one that had been organised on a different forum. I posted my doubt about my capability of doing a day of 113miles on day two,my own lack of enough time to train etc...the lads on the forum where terrific and gave me loads of encouragement that the whole thing wasnt a race and one or two also had their own concerns really was a problem shared.

I also had knee trouble after a 50 mile ride I did, couldn't walk the day, again I raised this point on a forum and it was suggested that I change my cleats as I had black(No float) to Red, wonderful mmmmmmm.

The whole ride has indeed changed my life in many ways and inspire you to do more and more challenging things.

The nerves will never go away and you dont want them to.

You can and will do it.

Hi

I am fairly new to the forum but since signing up for a London to Paris charity ride have become increasingly interested in all things velo. Black lycra and chamoix cream are my new best friends.


Since I fitted my computer in March I have done just over a thousand miles on my old bike and about 280 on my new bike which is 3 weeks old .

My longest ride has been just under 60 miles but i am very slow and my knee was sore as included quite a few hills. I am worried as still feel I need a real distance trip just to know I can do it. Am hoping after the first day when you have to be on a boat I can take it at my own pace as I think part of the route is through the Somme and I am interested in the poetry of the First World War .I also realise however much I am hurting is nothing to what those who died on the battlefield faced.


Any advice on getting through this probably foolhardy trip would be much appreciated .

jacqui

 

[jonathan ellis]

[not been here for awhile - hello all]

The lovely outriders (en France) will give you a push up the hills if its required (I saw them do this a number of times in 2004)

If you had no pain on your old bike then use that?

1st day is probably the hardest...

 

[Jacqui]

Thanks all

I will lean the phrase by heart just in case and try and remeber which side of the road I need to be on!.

I think my knee rather than the bike is the problem . New bike a lot more suitable and feels better after one or two adjustments . Am trying tp keep in an easier gear when I can .


Rode home from bike shop yesterday and cycled for a while with a chap from Huddersfield who was very encouraging then managed to get to the top a hill that I have never managed to get up, without stopping, before . Today did a steady 20 miles with a friend who has bought a bike recently I like to think in part to my non stop chatter on the subject.

I am never going to be the fastest but good to be reminded it isn't a race .

It has changed my life in someway already as i am riding for the Huntington's Disease Association a disease that killed my grandfather , my uncle and my mother and is now affecting my sibling . I also have a 50% risk of inheriting the disease yet up until this bike ride I had never spoken about it to even my closest friends.


Once again thatns for the support .

 

[swee'pea99]

 

Am trying tp keep in an easier gear when I can .


 managed to get to the top a hill that I have never managed to get up, without stopping,  before . 

I am never going to be the fastest but good to be reminded it isn't a race .

Well done, but like you say, it isn't a race. Don't push it - certainly not at first. There's no disgrace in walking up a hill. And if in doubt, gear lower, pedal faster. As they say, 'spin, don't grind'. It's not about being the fastest, it's about enjoying yourself. Have fun!

 

[BrumJim]

Actually, cycling at a rate where you can still continue to natter is VERY good pacing. If you can't talk, you are going too fast, and will run out of energy soon.

 

[tribanjules]

doing L2P in july - advice please on energy / hydtation ? !!

 

[themosquitoking]

Is L London? And where is P?

 

[SWSteve]

Is L London? And where is P?

Popmpey?