Help - Idiots guide required.

[Trainingwheels2015]

Good Morning everyone,

I am currently looking at completing a 500 mile cycle challenge in Oct 16, going from some one who takes the ocassinal spin class, new mom to becoming some one who can complete this challenge is a challenge I cant wait to complete. However the problem i face is what bike to have, as i also have to take my currently 10 month old son (he is one in Jan). I will be required to drag him out with me, as his dad works away a lot for long periods of time. I was thinking a hybrid as it would also enable me to keep up with 2 step children on there bikes, however people tell me i am crazy for wanting this as a road bike will make my challenge easier. So my questions are:-

Can you realistically complete a 500 mile challenge (in six days) on a hybrid?
Can you put a child seat on a road bike? If so what seat and bike would be advised. (money is limited but safety is priceless)
Last and more than likely not my final question, how do i go from Zero to Hero?

Thank you in advance for any help or advice given.

Naomi x

 

[earlestownflya]

500 mile in 6 days is some going and huge challenge and with a tot on the back...seems a bad move to me..you're a seriously brave girl if you believe you can pull it off....good luck.

 

[Trainingwheels2015]

I wouldnt put little man on for the challenge, just training rides. He gets to sit in a carseat, and cheer mommy in the safety car.

Thanks for the good luck though, i will definetly need it lol. x

 

[Spinney]

There are more than just hybrids and road bikes.

A touring bike looks (to the beginner) like a road bike (i.e. has drop handlebars) but has:
- wheels that take slightly fatter tyres
- mudguards
- fittings for luggage racks to bolt to.
plus a few less obvious differences.

So a touring bike might be what you are wanting.

 

[Trainingwheels2015]

There are more than just hybrids and road bikes.

A touring bike looks (to the beginner) like a road bike (i.e. has drop handlebars) but has:
- wheels that take slightly fatter tyres
- mudguards
- fittings for luggage racks to bolt to.
plus a few less obvious differences.

So a touring bike might be what you are wanting.

Thank you so much, would a child seat be able to go one the back in a seat?

 

[Trainingwheels2015]

Nonsense. Try googling Josie Dew for inspiration about cycling and touring with small children. This would do as a start http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/sep/04/healthandwellbeing.fitness

Just read it, and I cant wait to start. Sounds like i need the training - and i will invest in some spuds lol

Thank you for uploading the article x

 

[Spinney]

Thank you so much, would a child seat be able to go one the back in a seat?

I don't know personally, but I don't see why not.

 

[Joffey]

My concern would be your little fella being sat on a bike for a minimum of 6 hours a day for 6 days... won't he get bored? Either way, good luck, it's a very hard challenge! Kudos!

 

[Dogtrousers]

500 miles in 6 days is an average of 83 miles a day, or for those of us with a metric view 134km.

Assuming that the days won't all be equal you will be doing at least one 100 miler, with some shorter ones. I'm also assuming that this is over relatively normal terrain (ie not a loopy mountain challenge).

So you need to gain fitness for riding 100 miles, plus fitness for long rides day after day (ie not being wiped out by your 100 miler)

I'm absolutely no expert on training, and certainly no expert on the needs of 10 month olds, but the biggest problem I see is that you will (in my untrained opinion) need to be doing a fair few long (4-8 hour) rides to acclimatise yourself to long periods in the saddle. That's just my opinion.

If you absolutely have to take junior along with you, you are faced with two problems: 1) How to carry him, and 2) What does he think about it? He may become uncomfortable, and wail all the way. He will increase your sensitivity to bad weather (you may be happy to go out in a hailstorm, he may take a dim view) He will need all the usual attention that little ones need.

Bike wise I would have thought that to cover all bases a sporty flat bar hybrid/tourer might be able to be adaptable enough to both carry a child and enter a long distance challenge. You could swap tyres for an easier, quicker ride. I don't think choice of bike will be a your biggest problem.

Can you train for a single 100 miler using shorter training rides, and pushing the boat out on the day? Sure you can, lots of people do. Can you train for a multi-day endurance event on shorter rides, or other endurance training? I have no idea, but I think that this is what you need to figure out.

It's a big challenge, no doubt, but not necessarily an impossible one. You have a lot of thinking about training plans, intermediate targets and so forth.

I think that junior's needs probably present a bigger obstacle than yours.

 

[growingvegetables]

So a touring bike might be what you are wanting.

+1

And a bike designed as a tourer will have a slightly heavier duty frame, designed for load carrying.

Fwiw, 30 years ago I tried a seat post mounted kiddy seat on a cheap roadie. And scared the bejasus out of myself, cos the frame became so bendy and flexible. I had to find a seat that attached with stays to the frame. There was still a wee bit of flex, but it was manageable.

Have a look at a tourer

Edited to add - good luck!

 

[Milkfloat]

There is no reason why you won't be able to take a child on your training rides in a child seat with the correct bike. I would stay away from Carbon frames and the lightest of alloy road bikes as most of these seats mount on the tubing of the bike. IMO a steel tourer would be perfect.

 

[Trainingwheels2015]

My concern would be your little fella being sat on a bike for a minimum of 6 hours a day for 6 days... won't he get bored? Either way, good luck, it's a very hard challenge! Kudos!

I think i have come across wrong, i wont be taking him on the challenge - its just the training aspects. I can do plenty of training on static indoor bikes, or using a turbo trainer. But as the year plods on i will need to take him out and cant alwasy rely on my other half being there. I hope that my son will be there to cheer me on, meet me on the 1st day, and hopefully the last day.

I have looked at the route, I would be doing 50 miles on the 1st day, 100 on the second then average 90 on the following days followed by a 100 miles on the final day. I know i am crazy for wanting to do it, but you have to push yourself to find your limits.

 

[drummerbod]

You need to define what route you will be taking as lots of climbing needs to be considered.

Not wanting to be negative but sounds like a big ask to do 500 miles in 6 days.

 

[sidevalve]

So you've got about a year to get fit - not much of a problem if you are determined. The little one isn't going on the challenge - no prob there then. Touring road hybrid MTB are all just modern terms brought in to disguise the over specialization of many modern bikes [and encourage people to buy bikes for specific purposes that they don't really need]. Touring might be the one to go for if you are buying new as they tend to be less extreme [no full suss no paper thin carbon no excess weight]. If you decide on second hand [no I don't mean a gas pipe special from the dump here] look out for a good make [many LBS do refurb jobs with guarantees if you are a little nervous] and things like 531 tubing. Find a comfortable saddle [BIG deal that one I like the Brooks but each to his/her own there].
One advantage you have is you are training with a weight on the bike [a 10 month old] when you remove it you will feel as though the bike can fly.
Good luck.
PS - I recommend the Josie Dew books as good reading anyway.

 

[vickster]

Maybe @jefmcg can provide some insight having attempted LEL (although further)