Have I got enough training time?

[Leah]

I'm looking at doing a charity ride from London to Paris in May 2011.

I'm fairly unfit, I can do about 10 miles (probably more to be honest, I just don't push myself)

Do you think if I stick to a strcit training plan between now and then I could comfortably complete the ride? It's 300 miles over 4 days.

I really want to do it, but I don't want to start planning sponsorship money etc if it is not realistic.

 

[ASC1951]

That is plenty of time, provided you do apply yourself to the task. Give yourself five months to get fit (slightly longer rides, more of them, then some running/swimming for winter evenings when it's too grim on the bike) and four months to do some bigger mileages.

I would aim for at least one hundred miler in the spring. If you want to do the 300 miles 'comfortably', you would be better with half a dozen long days as well as relying on your (new) base fitness.

And I wouldn't get too OCD about a training plan. No need for "10% more every Wednesday, 12.8% of it in the heart rate purple zone" - just get into the habit of exercising at your discomfort level for at least an hour every other day, and as you get fitter your body will automatically raise the performance for that level of discomfort.

 

[DaveyB1981]

Yeah I'd say you have plenty of time. Not done any similar events myself, but can vouch for the fact that where fitness is concerned, a lot can be acheived in a reasonably short period of time. As said above, build your way up, working on a core fitness and on endurance and you will be fine.

Actually really jealous of you doing the ride!!!

Enjoy yourselves.

Dave

 

[Jacqui]

I am setting off on an L2P Wednesday so will let you know how I get on.


Am in a panic especially as I have not done the mega long distances but have cycled almost 2000 miles since I started training in March. I am also very slow so will be the last to arrive I am sure

There is lots of good info on here and hopefully you will enjoy the training . I have for the most part enjoyed and will probably carry on cycling when I get back .



Good luck.

Yeah I'd say you have plenty of time. Not done any similar events myself, but can vouch for the fact that where fitness is concerned, a lot can be acheived in a reasonably short period of time. As said above, build your way up, working on a core fitness and on endurance and you will be fine.

Actually really jealous of you doing the ride!!!

Enjoy yourselves.

Dave

 

[Leah]

Wow fantastic Jaqui! Good Luck!

Do you have your own bike or are you renting?

 

[Leah]

That is plenty of time, provided you do apply yourself to the task. Give yourself five months to get fit (slightly longer rides, more of them, then some running/swimming for winter evenings when it's too grim on the bike) and four months to do some bigger mileages.

I would aim for at least one hundred miler in the spring. If you want to do the 300 miles 'comfortably', you would be better with half a dozen long days as well as relying on your (new) base fitness.

And I wouldn't get too OCD about a training plan. No need for "10% more every Wednesday, 12.8% of it in the heart rate purple zone" - just get into the habit of exercising at your discomfort level for at least an hour every other day, and as you get fitter your body will automatically raise the performance for that level of discomfort.

Thank you, i'll have a look at the training schedule they send and try to stick to that.

Do you think an exercise bike is a good or bad idea for winter? I was thinking if I have one in the house (ebay has some bargains!) I have no excuse.

 

[jimboalee]

If the date on the ride is ddmmm2011, you've got plenty of time.

London to Paris. 500km in 4 days. You'll be doing that by Christmas.

Join a gym. Make friends with the upright bike. Don't get off it until the sweat drips off the hem of your tee shirt. The harder you work, the sooner this happens and you can get home for chilli fried chicken.

 

[Jacqui]

Hi Lea


I am using my own bike though the organisers did have the option of bike hire .


I did start with an exercise bike just to get some sort of fitness as was starting with nothing , unfit ,fat and over forty. So what has changed ?Still over forty but definitely fitter than I was in March and even a little less fat.

I joined a gym which I cycle to and have taken out a years membeship so hopefully that will keep me motivated to carry on cycling and gymming when I get back home.


Like I said I start in London Wed am an am feeling very anxious at the moment I don't suppose you can ever do enough training and have fallen short on the very long rides I just hope that the hills around here have given me some extra stamina .

Will be nice to ride for leisure and pleasure rather than just getting the miles covered and maybe if this goes ok I might think about doing another ride but for fun.

I have raised just over 2500 pounds so the fund raising haspect has gone well and I funded the trip myself so it all goes to the charity it has also given me the opportunity to raise awareness for the charity as well.


Anyway I will let you know how it goes .


jacqui

 

[jay clock]

ample time.... that is 75 miles per day for 4 days.

I would disagree about gym bikes - a personal thing, but I much prefer being out and about and it helps with bike handling skills too. But the gym will help with fitness levels and is easier at 10pm in Jan!

Get really confident and comfortable on the bike. A niggle at 20 miles will be much worse later in the day.

In terms of training just do little and often, ideally nearly every day. As the distances get longer, have a day or two off once in a while.

Something like

week 1 6 x8 mile rides
week 2 6 x 12 mile rides
week 3 6 x 15 mile rides (even that is only one hour per day. Split into two (commuting?) if you want
week 4 5 x 18 miles
week 6 5 x 20 miles
week 7 4 x 25 miles
week 8 3 x 30 miles
week 9 3 x 40 miles

and so on. You will get to the stage where it seems dead easy to jump on your bike and do 20 miles. you have a lot of time to get ready and fully fit

nearer the end do a couple of back to back longer rides. eg Sat and Sunday do 60 or 70 miles each day.

The last week do a small amount of ridinng per day (5-8 miles). take it easy!

Lastly, get good comfy cycle kit, partic shorts and gloves and practice nutrition. Above about 25-30 miles you will need food and drink (water or sports drink)

Enjoy it! and keep us posted. Always great to see someone get into it and change their lifestyle and perception of themselves!

Jay

 

[Leah]

Hi Lea


I am using my own bike though the organisers did have the option of bike hire .


I did start with an exercise bike just to get some sort of fitness as was starting with nothing , unfit ,fat and over forty. So what has changed ?Still over forty but definitely fitter than I was in March and even a little less fat.

I joined a gym which I cycle to and have taken out a years membeship so hopefully that will keep me motivated to carry on cycling and gymming when I get back home.


Like I said I start in London Wed am an am feeling very anxious at the moment I don't suppose you can ever do enough training and have fallen short on the very long rides I just hope that the hills around here have given me some extra stamina .

Will be nice to ride for leisure and pleasure rather than just getting the miles covered and maybe if this goes ok I might think about doing another ride but for fun.

I have raised just over 2500 pounds so the fund raising haspect has gone well and I funded the trip myself so it all goes to the charity it has also given me the opportunity to raise awareness for the charity as well.


Anyway I will let you know how it goes .


jacqui

I'll be thinking of you! You will be absolutely fine, enjoy it!

I'm also glad to hear you did well on the fundraising front. I'm asking my employer to pay for my fees and I will wear company branded clothing while I do it (I know that marketing shouldn't be the objective, but I also know they will donate a fair whack so wearing a orange top is a small price to pay) I hope all my friends will help with the sponsorship. Do you mind me asking which charity you opted for? And of course how I can sponsor you?

ample time.... that is 75 miles per day for 4 days.

I would disagree about gym bikes - a personal thing, but I much prefer being out and about and it helps with bike handling skills too. But the gym will help with fitness levels and is easier at 10pm in Jan!

Get really confident and comfortable on the bike. A niggle at 20 miles will be much worse later in the day.

In terms of training just do little and often, ideally nearly every day. As the distances get longer, have a day or two off once in a while.

Something like

week 1 6 x8 mile rides
week 2 6 x 12 mile rides
week 3 6 x 15 mile rides (even that is only one hour per day. Split into two (commuting?) if you want
week 4 5 x 18 miles
week 6 5 x 20 miles
week 7 4 x 25 miles
week 8 3 x 30 miles
week 9 3 x 40 miles

and so on. You will get to the stage where it seems dead easy to jump on your bike and do 20 miles. you have a lot of time to get ready and fully fit

nearer the end do a couple of back to back longer rides. eg Sat and Sunday do 60 or 70 miles each day.

The last week do a small amount of ridinng per day (5-8 miles). take it easy!

Lastly, get good comfy cycle kit, partic shorts and gloves and practice nutrition. Above about 25-30 miles you will need food and drink (water or sports drink)

Enjoy it! and keep us posted. Always great to see someone get into it and change their lifestyle and perception of themselves!

Jay

Wow thanks Jay. I'm off today for a ride about 8 miles, so i'll keep it up this week.

We're picking up an exercise bike we won on ebay this weekend, I agree with what you said about being on the bike on the road is best, but as i'm saving to buy a road bike (only have a very heavy, very old mountain bike at the moment) I hope it can get me through to about January when I will be buying my first road bike! Then I will be hitting the road to prepare and get used to the bike.

I don't have any cycle kit just yet (except a good helmet) so I will no doubt be asking for some recommendations in a few weeks time when i've come to a point where what I have won't hack it

I've been looking at bladder back packs to keep me going for the longer rides, are they a good thing or do they rub?

 

[HLaB]

There's plenty of time Leah if you apply yourself. If you've ever met Jane Smart of this forum she's a good example; a year ago she could barely ride a bike but through dedication she is now a very good club rider and Time Trialist Come rain or shine I think she gets out on the bike nearly everyday you could try pm'ing her. Good Luck

 

[EssexRider]

Just dont let the cold wet wintery days put you off of getting out on your bike and if you stick to a plan then you'll do it no problem

 

[ASC1951]

Do you think an exercise bike is a good or bad idea for winter? I was thinking if I have one in the house (ebay has some bargains!) I have no excuse.

There is actually proper evidence that exercise out of doors does you more good than exercise indoors.

I wouldn't bother with an exercise bike. Just get a turbo trainer, a good sturdy one. Personally, I found I used mine a lot the first year, a bit the next year and never since - and I think that is fairly common, so you should find loadst of them second hand. You need to be exceptionally dedicated to use a turbo or exercise bike effectively and TBH I think you are much better going out for a run instead.