Neagh Problem!

[QuestionableCarro]

Ok guys...

I have decided to sign up for this:

www.lapthelough.org

Its a 95ish mile circular route around Lough Neagh the largest lake in the British Isles. Its a fairly flatish route with very little high gradient but obviously a big undertaking for someone who has only done the odd 40 mile.
I am well impressed with the experience and the affable nature of the folks on here and would love to hear some feedback on how I could prepare myself for this cycle.

I will be training on a mountain bike for the first month which weighs quite a lot (Saracen Downhill Bomber) and then changing to a Marin Larkspur (once I pay it off!) for the last few weeks of the training.

I'm a fairly fit guy who isnt afraid of the aforementioned 40 miles but want to make the day of the "Lap the Lough" cycle as enjoyable as possible i.e. without pain or chronic fatigue.

There is a suggested training regime on the website which I am willing to adhere to but I wondered if someone here could lend me their training programmes or a bit of advice on nutrition, strength training or cardio.

I fully expect to hear "ride as much as possible" as most of the replies but want something a little more specific to follow.

Perhaps someone can refer me to a link or talk about a date that they trained for.

I have put on a little excess baggage over the last 12 months and obviously want to improve on that. Im 5' 10" and last weighed in close to 13 stones. Is this an area that I could work hard at?

Any ideas, opinions or advice greatly appreciated.

The event takes place on the 30th August, so I still have plenty of time to get in shape etc.

Thanks

QC

 

[snorri]

I like the wordplay in your thread title, shows a good attitude.
Covering longer distances is a mental as much as physical challenge. In your mind, or at least in your post you say, the mileage is 95ish, but take another look at the website, it's only 87 miles.
This challenge is getting easier by the minute.

 

[QuestionableCarro]

Sorry should have mentioned. I have to cycle to the start of the event some 6-7 miles away.

Nothing like making it hard for ones self!

I am going to have to adopt some sort of regime in the food department soon because I am tucking into cheese sandwiches at nearly 11.30 pm

 

[QuestionableCarro]

Would the much talked about SPD pedals be a good thing to invest in for this cycle?

 

[Aperitif]

Hello QC - definitely get sorted out with the pedals, your comfort will improve immensely.
Diet: Once you start measuring yourself ie: doing the same bits and bobs or road / route and seeing an improvement, it will naturally take you further afield. I'm fairly adept at getting lost 'down South' in GB and it means getting the miles in...to return from whence I came

I consequently look upon my efforts as being reminiscent of my Mum and Dad's old Ideal coal boiler in the kitchen when I was a kid. Anything you plonked in the hole at the top was immediately incinerated. Doing the miles means that you have your own 'little boiler' to burn up anything you choose to eat!

Doesn't mean you can scoff rubbish, but, within reason you can eat anything.
Provided you make an effort - not pootle about.

Next thing you know, you'll be cycling to London for a CycleChat ride!
Good luck. Keep asking questions, there are plenty of experienced heads in residence on here.

 

[Breedon]

Yes they would other wise you would be moving you feet all over the place which would distract you.

 

[marinyork]

I would do some 60 mile distance rides beforehand. I found when I started out that I could do 25-35 miles pretty easily but just about anytime going over this distance came into big problems through not fuelling properly and not having the endurance. When I started doing 60 mile rides they were pretty tough to begin with but got noticeably easier the 3rd, 4th, 5th time. I also found that on days after the long rides or on the rides themselves I'd be doing very fast (for me) splits. If I was doing everything all over again I'd have done this earlier.

You don't necessarily have to pay any notice to that, there are many people who come onto this forum for charity rides and things and go straight into these things from total beginners and manage fine. I think a 12-15 mile training loop works well.

 

[QuestionableCarro]

Thanks for the swift replies guys...

The only thing i am wondering about is these pedals.

Arent they hard to get used to?

My balance is pretty good but the idea of being attached to the pedals and not able to free my feet at will sounds daunting or is this something that you get used to in time?

Was in the shop just today asking about them and the guy started talking about boots that the pedals click into - £130 notes for a pair of SPD friendly shoes!

Surely there is some cheaper way around this?

 

[Aperitif]

Check out Specialized MTB shoes - I think they are about £50 or so...go to wiggle.co.uk or others - check out Accessories kit and Clothing on here - the answer lies within!

 

[Scoosh]

on making the commitment to do this ride!

2 things I would mention:
- go clipless
- nutrition

Getting clipless pedals/shoes made a HUGE difference to my riding. It sounds scary/daft/weird but in reality is as easy to remember to unclip when you stop as it is to remember to drop the clutch on a car when stopping. It is not too difficult to get the hang of them - practise clipping in/unclipping when leaning against a wall or fence or something. You will have 'clipless moments' - these are part of the "fun"
I was lucky enough to get suitable shoes + pedals from Lidl for about £20 together some 3 years ago. You don't need to spend a fortune on the set-up.

If you want to do a forum search for 'clipless pedals' - it should turn up some interesting stories, along with good procedures and guidelines.
Try this one.

In normal conditions (rain, sleet, snow wind etc etc ) when you are out training/riding, get into the habit of drinking something every 20-30 mins. You need to keep hydrated, so a mouthful of water/juice is fine - obviously more if its very dry, hot etc. A bite to eat every hour or so. Use this as a baseline and adjust according to your own body's requirements but don't do much less.

I don't know your bikes but make sure you have road tyres (28/32mm max ?), which will roll faster than off-road ones.

HTH

 

[marinyork]

Clipless shoes are not all £130, that's more the top end of the market and a little naughty. My shoes were about £50, if you shop around places like Decathlon or whatever I've seen them for half that. Of course there are the pedals too. It's still a lot of money then but I think it is worth it. You're worrying needlessly about the cleats, we've all done this before getting them .

 

[Blue]

Many people have a fall when first using clipless pedals as it's easy to forget that you are attached to the pedals when stopping. However, that first fall reinforces the memory and usually things are fine after that.

Just get double sided pedals and set them to min tension for ease of use. I notice that you will be using a Mtb at first - I suggest you use the pedals on grass for a couple of rides to give a softer landing

 

[Cubist]

Carro

DHB MTB shoes from Wiggle are £36 a pair, look as good as some of the top range shoes and are getting "value for money" awards from the magazines.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_T1_Cycling_Shoes/5360033189

 

[summerdays]

I could be tempted to do this one myself ... though I'm not sure it fits in with when Mr Summerdays can get leave (and that I've not done that distance in a day either).

Don't forget CRC for internet shops too.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I would suggest getting a set of Shimano M520 pedals and looking at something like this for a shoe Shimano MT20D SPD Shoes. They are by definition entry level but it does mean they are easy to wear and are very comfortable. Also go a size larger than your normal shoes as cycling shoes are notoriously tight.

You will almost certainly fall over once or twice whilst getting used to the SPD's - This is known as a clipless moment. After half and hour or so you will look back and laugh - honestly.

Best of luck on the ride. I am sure you will enjoy it and do well

Thanks for the swift replies guys...

The only thing i am wondering about is these pedals.

Arent they hard to get used to?

My balance is pretty good but the idea of being attached to the pedals and not able to free my feet at will sounds daunting or is this something that you get used to in time?

Was in the shop just today asking about them and the guy started talking about boots that the pedals click into - £130 notes for a pair of SPD friendly shoes!

Surely there is some cheaper way around this?