Planning my first cycling event and I need your help!!!!

[monnet]

As ever on CC, loads of great advice.

I think the key points to emphasise are:

Make sure the bike is running tickety boo when you start (esp. tyres at the right pressure). I think Rich P gave the best advice as to what you should carry.

Food and drink - little and often. Drink before you're thirsty, eat before you're hungry. On long rides I usually start drinking (just a swig) after about 45 mins and then every 15 (more often if I feel I need it). I usually start eating after about an hour or so (again just a mouthful, usually every 20 minutes).

Riding in a group - don't write this off. The benefit of a riding in a group is that you save energy and also get some social interaction (the first time
I rode 100 miles solo was when I realised why professionals have a tendency to take drugs!) Just don't get caught up in trying to keep up with the faster guys or pushing yourself early on. Groups will split up and be careful who you're riding with you probably don't want to end up with a group of club riders who can ride the distance at 20mph doing through and off.

 

[ttcycle]

Good luck for the challenge! I'd echo the sentiments from others as there has been some good advice posted - I'd second the recommendation to get out cycling with some other people just to get a feel for things.

Where are you based? Maybe there are some CCers who you could meet up with? Failing that there maybe a local cycle group near you either the CTC or a local club that maybe not race orientated

 

[Manonabike]

Monnet, that is some really good advice, thank you.

I have read about the benefits of riding in groups but I don't feel comfortable with the idea of being surrounded by other cyclist - I do ride with one or two friends sometimes and that is ok but I'm just as happy riding alone.

No chance I'll get caught doing 20mph lol - I'm trying to ride at 16mph and I'll be really happy if I could maintain that speed but if not then I just slow down.... the important thing is to finish.

I'm based in Bournemouth and there are clubs that take any type of riders, fast and slow ones.... but in all honesty I do enjoy my riding alone. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a person that does not like friends or anything like that.... I'm just used to riding alone that's all.

 

[Fiona N]

As a back-up, I'd take a few energy gels for emergencies. They're not the most appetising of food supplies (I prefer the most liquid ones like SiS or Enervit) but I've found that they're very useful for less experienced riders going for longer than normal distances. When your legs get very tired and the least slope really slows you down, you may find eating solids doesn't do the trick - this is when the quick pick-me-up of a gel can help. The effect doesn't last long - 20-30mins - so you may need a few (3 or 4) to get through the last hour.

They're also useful for those who go off too fast and find themselves crawling at half distance - but you sound like you're not going to be giving in to such temptations

 

[Manonabike]

As a back-up, I'd take a few energy gels for emergencies. They're not the most appetising of food supplies (I prefer the most liquid ones like SiS or Enervit) but I've found that they're very useful for less experienced riders going for longer than normal distances. When your legs get very tired and the least slope really slows you down, you may find eating solids doesn't do the trick - this is when the quick pick-me-up of a gel can help. The effect doesn't last long - 20-30mins - so you may need a few (3 or 4) to get through the last hour.

They're also useful for those who go off too fast and find themselves crawling at half distance - but you sound like you're not going to be giving in to such temptations

Good tip, I'll get some ASAP and try them out.

No, not too fast for me - I did 61 miles today and for the first 35 or so I was quite happy doing 16 mph but then went down to 13 and the last couple of miles at around 11.7 .... never mind, that pace suits me fine. I felt a little bit more confident riding 1m from the kerb. I had one scary moment though, just as I was riding on a bend my right foot disengaged from the pedal which nearly made me come off

While I was riding I was plotting a new strategy for building up to the ride.... I don't know whether it has any merits so I would appreciate some opinions.... next week I will do 4 days in a row at 30 miles each, then for a week or two will do as I'm doing now.... then I will do 3 days in a row at 40 miles each and go back to the usual for a a week or two..... then 2 days in a row at 60 mls each..... and go back to do what I'm already doing which by then I should be able to do 80 to 90 mls relatively comfortable. It sounds good but not sure I can do it .... I need to plan how to take the time off to organise the training.

 

[monnet]

From what you said originally, you've got a good base level of fitness so that sounds like a good enough plan.

I made a similar leap a few years ago. The ride was in July and I started training about this time of the year. Initially I was just building the miles up 30 or so at a time 3 times a week and at least one longer ride at the weekend. As my cycling fitness arrived I started training in 10 blocks and then having two days off (or one day off and one day very easy). The aim became to ride the distance of the event (120miles) in the week, and then again at the weekend - so 240miles total in a week.

A pretty unscientific method I arrived at myself, but it seemed to work. The next aim became tipping the balance of the weekend rides - so they'd start at 60 miles on both Sat and Sun, then 70/50, 80/40 and so on until about 4 weeks before the ride I rode 100 on my own for the first time. 10 days later I did another 100 and then there were 10 days of tapering my training down before the event in the belief that the extra 20 miles would be covered by the adrenalin of the event.

Come the day I was resolute to stick to a speed I knew I could maintain on my own (eg. the average I'd been doing on the 100 milers), all went to plan and I was actually flying on the day and wished I'd pushed harder at the start!

 

[Spinney]

Groups...
I've done one sportive (similar kind of event to yours, I think). I set off the earliest I could, on my own (OH was doing the longer version). So I was not riding in a group, and did not find anyone to slipstream behind all day (people overtook me and were therefore going far too fast for me to tag along!).

However it DID make me feel part of the event, and I even overtook one or two slower folks going up hills. Had a bit of a chat to one or two.

So I would start earlier rather than later - you don't have to ride in a group if you don't want to, but it makes the event a bit more fun.

Good luck with it, whatever you decide to do!

 

[Manonabike]

All very useful information. Monnet, that was really serious training..... not sure I could do the same, I'd probably burn out before the ride lol.

Spinney, what you say does make sense.... I think my strategy needs re-thinking.

The other day I came across this big roundabout, 4 entrance and 4 exits.... the speed of some vehicles entering the roundabout was at least 30 mph or faster. I have been though this roundabout many times in the car but on a bike this was a totally different proposition. I waited and I waited for a gap but there was never a gap big enough for me to feel confident. While I was there I began to think, where should I ride when I'm in the roundabout, if I go on the outside lane I'll get run over by those cars exiting as I will be in their way, I will actually be in the wrong lane. If I join the roundabout in the next lane, that would be ok but that looked so dangerous.... in the end I decided to walk across and even then it was dangerous..... I was crossing the first lane when I saw this vehicle that I had originally thought would exit somewhere else coming fast at me and went fast before my eyes, I was only a meter or so away from the second lane. What did I learn? Nothing really, other than it's bloody dangerous and I haven't got a clue how to cross it on a bile. The main problem is that there is a probably a 50 or 60 mph road that crosses this roundabout and those are the cars that are driving rather fast. Any suggestions?

 

[Manonabike]

It's been a while since my last post here.

One of you guys suspected my bike settings as the culprit for my neck pain over a 50 miles ride. I started looking at my settings again and moved the seat back about 1.5" in all (over 3 adjustments) and I think I have the seat in a position where I can do 70 miles and my neck is still ok for some more miles - If I could move the saddle 1/2" further back I would do it, maybe just as a test. Still, my thanks to the poster that got me thinking about my bike settings again .

I also discover that I was not eating enough hence feeling hungry a few miles after feeding. Last Saturday I had two medium size bars of flapjack over a 72 mls ride and I only felt hungry in the last 8 miles or so.

I'm also making steady progress in my positioning strategy while on the road, I can see the benefits of riding in secondary position and what I was doing before is just totally wrong..... I was really inviting vehicles to squeeze me out of the road. I do feel much more confident riding on the road, however, a couple of weeks ago I had a really bad day..... I went on a B road and at the very start, one small car went too close that left me wondering if the driver saw me at all.... there was plenty of room for the car to move and let me ride safely. On the way back a Transit van went so fast and so close to me that I felt as if the mirror went just over my helmet ..... at that point I was really frightened to continue. I was riding in secondary position, about 80cm from the edge of the road and I was wearing a very bright yellow jacket so the driver must have seen me.... anyway, it took me over a week to regain the confidence to ride that road again and when I did it was fine.

This weekend I'm entering the Wiggle New Forest Epic Event which is 83 miles and I'm doing it to gain a bit of experience and also cause it must be fun.

I still need to master the habit of drinking water after last Saturday's ride I had a horrendous migraine and all because I did not drink enough water while riding.... I just forget to drink, as simple and as stupid as that

 

[Banjo]

I am doing my first Sportive this year so have been following the thread with interest.Tried sport gel for the first time this week.You can carry them in your pocket and rip the top off with your teeth then suck the fluid out as you ride. I was advised to suck one down about 15 minutes before major hill climbs which is OK if you know when that is :-) They Definitely give you a boost when you need it.

My neck and lower back ache was cured with a shorter stem with an upwards angle to raise the bars and reduce the reach a bit but everyone is different so do what works for you.

Good Luck on the New Forest Epic and also on the L to B .

 

[Manonabike]

Thanks Banjo!!! Yeah everybody is different and must adjust their bikes according to the kind of riding they want to do.... I'm too old to be thinking in great speed :-) so comfort is more like my priority at the moment.

What sportive are you doing this year?

People give really good advice on these forums.... I guess they have done a few long rides every year and have a wealth of experience to share with us

Good Luck to you too.