Getting back into cycling and signed up for a charity ride

[stevek]

Hi, first post here so please be gentle with me and apologise if I have posted this n the wrong section.

I have recently returned to leisure/commuter cycling after a 20+ year break (usual work, family, etc. commitments). I have bought a new bike and am riding about 6 miles each evening. If its raining, I do 6 miles on an exercise bike to keep the momentum going.

To spur myself on, I have signed up for a charity ride in Brum in July to do 26 miles.

What should be my training plan from herein and do you think that 6 miles per day will get me fit enough to do the 26 miles and still be alive (I am in my early 50's!).

Thanks for reading thisd and for any useful comments/advice you may have

 

[Spinney]

I'd say you need to get out for 10-15 miles - in the evening (now daylight is lasting longer) if you get home from work early enough, or make time at the weekends. Should only take just over an hour. If you can do 15 you can probably do 26 on the day (although it will hurt less if you have done several 15-20 mile rides beforehand).

It's not just fitness. One big difference between lots of 6 mile rides and one 26 mile ride is your bum. One of the barriers to long rides is getting a sore bum - on a 6 mile ride you probably won't notice, but if your saddle is uncomfortable or your bike set up wrongly /the wrong size, you will be noticing it by 26 miles.

Oh - and welcome to CycleChat!!

 

[raleighnut]

^^^^^^^+1, just get some miles in, you'll be fine.

 

[MichaelW2]

26 miles is about 3 hours of easy riding, with pie stops.
The main requirement is some saddle time in the weeks leading up. 6 miles/day should be fine to harden up your butt, but try some longer rides at weekends. Make sure your bike fits and is adjusted properly. Ride in an easy style with a suitable pedaling cadence, 60-80 rpm in an easy gear.