Sleep preparation for night riding?

[Glover Fan]

Hey all, hope your weekend has been good!

Got the Exmouth Exodus next weekend, which basically a 100 mile ride from Bristol to Exmouth overnight. I know it is a one off, but is there a tried and tested way to get your body adjusted to staying up a bit later and exercising? My current plan is to stay up quite late on the Friday night, to say 2-3am and sleep in as long as I can during the day, wake up at say midday so that my bodyclock can be temporarily adjusted.

Problem is I have quite a strict routine that my body is set too, i.e go to bed at 10pm and wake at 6am. I'm worried my body will try sleeping at midnight, thus meaning I really struggle to turn the pedals. I have done the 3 peaks challenge before so I know it's not going to be too much of an issue (I was a uni student then though, so staying up 24 hours was par for the course!)

I'm probably worrying over nothing, but wondered if anybody had some good tips for preparing themselves physically and mentally for this.

Thanks,

Jon.

 

[the_mikey]

If you're anything like me you don't get much sleep the day before any cycling event, but rest is always good, maybe stay up, sleep in, eat and rest and sleep and hope for the best.

 

[YahudaMoon]

Hi. I wouldnt fret to much. Pro Plus, Coke. (not the drug though it would work) Coffee are you freinds

 

[Rebel Ian]

I did one of the FNRttC events a couple of years ago. I hated it! I slept for 4 hours in the afternoon beforehand but it made no difference. By 2:30am I just wanted to sleep every time we stopped to re-group. I got home at 11am from Brighton on Saturday and slept until 6pm! Some people have no problem but I struggled.

 

[Broadside]

Really don't worry about it. If you stay up very late the night before you will end up waking at 6am as normal and then be knackered for the ride. Keep your normal routine, get a decent nights sleep and you will be amazed what your body will do if you ask it nicely.

I did the Dunwich Dynamo last year, I was panicking about lack of sleep but didn't do any special preparation. So long as you keep riding your body just does not want to sleep if your heartbeat is going so fast through the exercise. Yes you may be a bit more tired than a usual daytime ride, but it is not difficult at all. Try it and you will see.

My advice would be to have a decent kip shortly after finishing the ride however - don't try to make it through the day without sleeping (like I did), it was horrible and a mistake I would not repeat as I was cross-eyed with tiredness. Keep the following day clear and slot in a 4 hour sleep, then you will be straight back in to your usual routine that night.

Through the night rides are a great experience and I intend to do a lot more of them.

 

[Davidc]

See you there!

I've only done a couple of night bike rides, but lots of night hikes. I find that normal sleep the night before, even going to bed a bit early, then having a kip during the afternoon works for me.

At the end I need an hour or two of sleep. I'll probably fall asleep on the train back to bristol afterwards - will be setting an alarm on my phone for 10 minutes before the train's due to arrive at Bristol! May have an hour at my aunt and uncle's house when I park the bike and/or colect it later.

There'll be a couple of cans of red bull in the saddlebag as well as water, just in case, and coffee or tea at the pit stops will help.

I can always cheat though - if I feel too knackered after the first 60 miles I can cop-out as I'll only be 1 1/2 miles from home .......

 

[david1701]

I've done quite a lot of all night shoots and generally a wee bit of kip during the day before/after and keep eating, god knows how I'll cope with prolonged exercise on top though

 

[Banjo]

Dont stay up late hoping to sleep in. in my experience of lots of night work it doesnt work. Turn in normal time ,sleep as long as you can .Have an hour or two lie down/ sleep later in the day before you set off for the event.

Eat lots on the ride ,The energy from the food will help keep you alert.

 

[al-fresco]

I'm habitually in bed by 10.30pm but a few weeks ago I did the Dunwich Dynamo in between driving 222 miles there and 222 back. No special preparation, was awake from 4.00am Saturday until 7.30am Sunday and after that just took a few 20 minute naps until I got home. I had a couple of cups of pretty weak tea - tiredness is pretty much all in the mind I reckon - the only thing I would say is avoid alcohol until you get home!

 

[cyco2]

I think you are worrying too much about a little thing. Resting is the best thing to do and when your tired have black coffee etc..

If you wanted to Audax 600km you would have to start riding at 7am and get a kip at 12amish and then knock off the other 300km after 4hr sleep. No problem. So, a little night ride is a doddle. But make sure you know the route well because if you do it doesn't matter if you become comatose.

 

[Davidc]

I think you are worrying too much about a little thing. Resting is the best thing to do and when your tired have black coffee etc..

If you wanted to Audax 600km you would have to start riding at 7am and get a kip at 12amish and then knock off the other 300km after 4hr sleep. No problem. So, a little night ride is a doddle. But make sure you know the route well because if you do it doesn't matter if you become comatose.

This years hasn't been published yet!!!

 

[Glover Fan]

A gpx file is up on the website, download it and upload it to bikehike.

 

[Baggy]

The route sheet should also be ready tomorrow...

 

[david1701]

I'm sending my Mum a copy of the map so she knows where I should be