is it do-able and how

[tmcp]

Hello all happy new year.

I'm thinking of cycling from London to Fort William in 6 days as part of a challenge combined with other events of my own selection.

Is it possible by an amature like my self

I know its a bit mad can anyone offer any advice both sensible and piss take welcome

Cheers

 

[Fab Foodie]

Welcome tmcp

In short... it depends...
If you've decided a route, how many miles per day? It's going to be at least 100+/day I'd guesstimate. Some more, some less depending on terrain.
What kind of bike? I'm no superman but could just do 100+ per day for 6 days on an unladen or very lightly loaded road-bike. How much kit to carry?
How long have you got to train? How much cycling experience to date?
How generally fit/healthy are you?
Do you like pain?

It's quite doable, but will take some preparation. But a great challenge!

 

[tmcp]

Fab Foodie

Cheers for the reply.

yes 100+ miles a day
whatever the most suitable bike is (hoping for sponsor)
no kit, in support van
Cycled since i grew legs but notting of this nature
yes me and pain go back a long way!!!
got 4 months to train or do it next april
not said what else i'm doing yet along with this might get sectioned!!!


You said you could do it, how many mls per wk do you do ?

 

[bonk man]

My really not very fast mate did an end to end [ LEJOG ] IN 4.5 days, no sleep just painful plodding [ it was equally painful to witness ]

It takes a degree of bloody mindedness to do these rides and the more steady miles you can get in before hand the better.

This time of year a couple of 35-45 milers in the week and a 60-70 if possible at the weekend. But the rule should be steady not interval training and charging about at 99%. Don't forget that the time off the bike is recovery time and not guilt time

Flat routes at a good but not hard pace, the sort of effort that you can still chat with your mate at without spluttering.

When the days get warmer the miles can go up and the average speed might well start rising for the same effort ..

Perhaps do a few Audaxes but I would say stay away from Sportives unless you are really fit enough, it is easy to seize your legs up and struggle for recovery, it is important that before your big ride you back off the training to easy stuff and not let enthusiasm mean a burn out 2 days before you get going. Remember what your goal is and enjoy the training

 

[Fab Foodie]

Fab Foodie

Cheers for the reply.

yes 100+ miles a day
whatever the most suitable bike is (hoping for sponsor)
no kit, in support van
Cycled since i grew legs but notting of this nature
yes me and pain go back a long way!!!
got 4 months to train or do it next april
not said what else i'm doing yet along with this might get sectioned!!!


You said you could do it, how many mls per wk do you do ?

The most obvious bike choice is what's called an Audax bike. This is akin to a slightly more comfortable racing-bike with a wide gear range and able to take mudguards. Still quick and efficient, but won't beat you to death every day. I guess they're like a mongrel of race-bike and tourer. Depends how much cash you have/can raise (though raising is difficult).

4 months is not long, but it's not impossible. Good tips given, be prepeared for long days in the elements, April can have all kinds of weather and cycling 11 hours in the pouring rain or wind is pretty arduous even with a support team, especially if you need to do it several days in a row. Fair-weather cycling is a dream in comparison. You'll also need a good saddle, several pairs of good bib-shorts and bib-longs, the bike needs to fit well. You need to practice fuelling, pedalling all day is one thing, fuelling is a real art and takes a bit of practice to find what works for you. Stretching and recovery also needs to be learned.

I cycle most of the year-round and have no qualms about 40-50 miles at the drop of a hat as a fitness ride, in the summer I'd happily (and will do this summer) 100 mile days for 2 or 3 days again just on my regular base fitness... I've been doing this for over 25 years, so I've had some practice, I'm a 45 y/o ex-smoker, my BMI says I'm nearly obese and I take heart medication for blocked arteries... so you've a fighting chance I'd imagine!

If you insist with this endeavour might be worth enquiring over at yacf:
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/
They have a lot of 'Audax' riders who know all there is to know about long days and nights in the saddle... 1200km in 96 hours for the Paris-Brest-Paris debacle, some even use gears.

 

[ian_oli]

Yes, its perfectly doable, especially with a support van.
Get the Long Distance Cyclists Handbook by Simon Doughty. It's in print and obtainable via Amazon. Also do a few Audaxes. Suggest you aim to do a 200K one in late Feb early March, you will then know what a long day in the saddle is like.

 

[Euan Uzami]

wait for slightly longer days.
get an early start and try and get 70 in before lunch, then a nice long lunch - 2 hours.
take as little luggage as possible but pannier racks for what you need to stay comfortable if no support vehicle. if have support vehicle (or can travel very light), don't have pannier rack to keep bike light.

 

[tmcp]

Thank you all for your advice very helpfull