starting distance......?

[thunderlips76]

Hi guys,

Ok so i have my bike ( a slightly crunchy sounding carrrera zelos 14 speed) and I have most of the gear to look the part. I have only managed the one ride, ( about 6 miles ) because of the current rain problems round my part of the world. Now a couple of the lads are wanting to do a 20 miler. Is this over doing it for a starter ride?

I didn't have too much problem over 6 miles except one ridiculous hill......and i'm not really super unfit........I just don't know if my moral will be crushed by failing a 20 ride.

 

[Markymark]

Just ask them if they're happy to go at your pace and make sure you have enough water and food, before, during and afterwards.

You'll be fine but maybe sore afterwards!

 

[Mo1959]

Hi guys,

Ok so i have my bike ( a slightly crunchy sounding carrrera zelos 14 speed) and I have most of the gear to look the part. I have only managed the one ride, ( about 6 miles ) because of the current rain problems round my part of the world. Now a couple of the lads are wanting to do a 20 miler. Is this over doing it for a starter ride?

I didn't have too much problem over 6 miles except one ridiculous hill......and i'm not really super unfit........I just don't know if my moral will be crushed by failing a 20 ride.

If you have a reasonable fitness level and your pals are prepared to just have a leisurely ride rather than bomb round, then I think you will be fine.

 

[Saluki]

Hi &
When are you planning to do your 20 mile ride? If it's in a couple of weeks, you should have no problems. Just take it easy and stop somewhere in the middle of the ride for some cake. Make sure you take water/squash or whatever in your bottles and maybe some food too. I favour flapjacks and jelly babies.

When we restarted riding we started for the first week on 5 mile rides and then went mad and did a 17 miler at the weekend. This was on tatty old BSO Mountain bikes, as cheap as they came from halfords.

No reason that you can't do 20 miles straight off the bat though. Take it easy and have your friends ride at your pace. Water and food and a rest stop should see you fine. Hot bath after might be advisable too

 

[JoeyB]

The first ever organised ride I signed up to was the London - Windsor 37mile BHF ride. At the time I had an MTB with road tyres. As a taster I went out and did a local 23mile route one evening and got round easily, the 37 miler was also done without issue. Based on my experience there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to knock out a 20 miler straight away. I took my wife out for a ride a few months ago, again she used an MTB with road tyres. We did about 16 miles with a brief lunch stop and she was fine...before that she hadn't been on a bike for years and even then never done any kind of distance.

It's all about your mindset I think.

 

[thunderlips76]

thanks guys......i think the main worry for me is that the other guys are more experience and have much better machines.......on the other hand i'm miles fitter than them hahaha.....it'll be their 21 gears vs my calfs and thighs

 

[JoeyB]

thanks guys......i think the main worry for me is that the other guys are more experience and have much better machines.......on the other hand i'm miles fitter than them hahaha.....it'll be their 21 gears vs my calfs and thighs

Just make sure your saddle is at the right height and you have plenty of air in the tyres....you'll be fine.

 

[frosti]

20 miles fine without training if you take it steady. The main thing is not to go bat out at the start of any distance ride, 20 miles or 100miles. Keep some in reserve. Take plenty of liquid and, secret weapon jelly babies. I did the Lap of Anglia last year - 400 miles in 4 days. I was fit but not fit enough and struggled ( but did it). Riding with other people is a different world to riding on your own, both in terms of encouragement and well...several people seem to go faster than one, even without drafting.
Remember - Jelly babies.

 

[Retribution03]

Don't be afraid to stop for a break if it's taking its toll even if it's just a minute or two it's better to do the 20 mile in 2 hours and not do yourself an injury than push it to an hour 20 say and not be able to walk properly for 3 days
Enjoy it

 

[bpsmith]

Not all 20 milers are equal either. If it's 20 miles on relatively flat roads, then most people could manage it. If it's all 20% hills then many would fail.

Choose a route that suits your ability and you will be fine. It's all down to your mates being fair with you.

 

[Saluki]

Have Jelly Babies been mentioned at all yet

 

[bpsmith]

Don't forget Jelly Babies.

 

[morrisman]

Or Fig Rolls

 

[frosti]

Jelly. Babies.

 

[cyberknight]