Only 17days til 54 Miles ... training help required!

[quikanth]

Well its only 17 days till i take on 54 miles, ive heard its not a massive distance to be covered by a cycle and its all in the aid of charity, which makes it not so competitive however i want to achieve this in a realistic time.

Currently cycling 20 miles after 3 weeks of riding, need some pointers to get me riding further lengths, hard at the moment due to horrific weather in the North East! Also i dont currently own a gym membership, so thats out the window!

Also if anyone has any tips on which drinks / energy bars to consume and any other bits i may need along my first half century it'll be gladly appreciated! Anth

 

[screenman]

Do not use the weather as a poor excuse, what happens if the sun is not shining on the day. As for training just get out every day and enjoy the riding, have a couple of days off before the ride, too late for anything training wise to make a huge difference.

 

[Red Light]

If you are doing 20 miles regularly you will be able to do 54 miles on the day. Just take it steady and enjoy the ride. Slip a couple of energy bars or bananas in a pocket for if your energy levels get low and take some water with you.

 

[snorri]

Don't get over concerned about the time, just concentrate on getting there! Pace yourself, taking say a 10 minute break every 10 miles. Don't allow youself to become "down" when you see more experienced riders disappearing into the distance. Although a charity run, there are always some who see the event as a race, let them do their thing, and just enjoy your day out.

 

[colly]

If you are doing 20 miles regularly you will be able to do 54 miles on the day. Just take it steady and enjoy the ride. Slip a couple of energy bars or bananas in a pocket for if your energy levels get low and take some water with you.

Bang on. Just think of it as a couple of usual rides strung together, with a little bit added on. And don't push too hard. The time saved will be minimal and you will feel wrecked much sooner.

If you go out say only every other day for 20 miles you will have 160 odd extra miles under your belt by the event.

That will make quite a difference.

 

[NormanD]

The course is pretty flat for most of the way, just one or two steep hills to climb and they're not too bad, it's not a race, complete it in your time, that you feel comfortable in, I've completed the GNBR a few times and enjoyed it each time.

Don't go steaming off in the first few miles like your life depended on it, just take your time, set a nice steady pace that's not going to tire you out and enjoy the views and the fellow cyclists around you, it's a fun event and should be treated as so.

Stop every 15 miles or so and take a break, have something to eat and drink, even when you don't feel like drinking ... drink! .. dehydration is a real killer of energy.

Take some Isotonic drinks along with you, the likes of lucozade sport (the still variety), some water, some energy bars, I prefer some flapjacks and bananas for slow energy release.

spare inner tubes and a few tools would be handy too, but there's always some organised event vans and mechanics about to help out if you really get into trouble (which you shouldn't)

But most of all enjoy the day 54 is not difficult for anyone as long as you go easy

 

[Easytigers]

Old advice but still valid...drink before you're thirsty and eat before you're hungry. I did a charity ride a few months ago (and am relatively new to cycling) in which we did 40-50 miles each day for 5 days. I learnt a heck of a lot. A good chamois cream was well worth the money to stop chaffing. I used Assos and it was fantastic. Also a good energy drink really helped - Torq is very good and keeps your energy levels up and constant (no major downs in energy). Also kept a store of flapjacks and bars and nibbled every 30 mins. After each day had a chocolate milkshake withing 20 mins to replace carbs etc. Good luck. I had only done a few training rides before and it wasn't so bad...in fact I loved it!

 

[annedonnelly]

Hi Anth,

I assume you're talking about the GNBR. Don't worry - it's not a race, although some people treat it like one. Lots of people will be taking their time - stopping for picnics, etc. And some of them look like they've never been on a bike before.

Just ride at a pace that suits you - don't go too fast at the start! And hope for a tailwind like we had last year!

Good luck!

Anne

 

[Parrot of Doom]

If you can manage 20 miles now, go out and do 30. You'll be surprised at how easy it is.

 

[BrumJim]

Take it easy at the start. Better to get to half way with a little more than expected in the tank than to run out of energy before you get near to the end.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Old advice but still valid...drink before you're thirsty and eat before you're hungry.

What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[lulubel]

Take it easy at the start. Better to get to half way with a little more than expected in the tank than to run out of energy before you get near to the end.

This is really good advice. You can always start going faster if you've still got loads of energy as you get closer to the end, but if you have to slow down because you run out of energy, it's going to be a painful struggle.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

This is really good advice. You can always start going faster if you've still got loads of energy as you get closer to the end, but if you have to slow down because you run out of energy, it's going to be a painful struggle.

Getting carried away in a mass start is so easy to do. If possible get as far to the back as possible. It will be easier to ride at your own pace and psychologically you will get a boost when you inevitably pass some people

 

[quikanth]

id just like to bump this thread, to include online donations, if you would like to help me reach my target, please give a little as you like it all helps!

http://www.justgiving.com/Anthony-Anderson

Inbox me if you require any assistance!

Thanks Anth