Training advice before first major tour

[Ice2911]

@uphillstruggler has not got this jacket, not worn this jacket, has had a look at a picture of this jacket. Caveat emptor. If you want a jacket that might keep you warm and doesn't flap like a flappy thing, you'll be well advised to budget for more than £22.

Point taken thank you

 

[Ice2911]

A problem that can happen if you take this approach is sore knees, especially if you are younger and/or fairly fit from some other (non-cycling) activity, and dive straight in rather than taking if easy to start with.
Basically the pushing muscles get stronger faster than the knee stabilising muscles, the kneecap gets pulled slightly off straight over the joint, and rubs.
The exercise is straight leg lifts - leg held out horizontally, with or without a modest weight (eg 2-pinter of milk hooked over your big toe).
In some respects it would be better to JOGLE rather than LEJOG - Cornwall/Devon is quite a bit hillier than Scotland, on most routes, so you would be trained up by the time it gets steep.

For training, I'd figure that if you can ride for 2 or 2 1/2 hours without stopping (traffic lights etc excepted) and without any ill effect other than a bit of tiredness, you are good to go. At this point you'd stop and rest in a café, pub or whatever, and refresh yourself for another leg.

Thanks for the advice, thought LEJOG because of prevailing winds but know my luck! Definitely planning the cafe, pub stop idea and will be chunking it into manageable legs for me. I'm not going for any speed records but just want to enjoy it and finish!

 

[Ajax Bay]

thought LEJOG because of prevailing winds

To see a paper on this (reworking an earlier post)
Factor = Prevailing wind
Seasonal variation of the prevailing wind direction in Britain
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wea.301/pdf
"For the months of April and May the frequency of northeasterlies is about equal to that of southwesterlies. In fact, during some decades, the prevailing wind at many sites during these months is northeasterly."
There's a better chance of a fairer wind for a JOGLE in April or May.

 

[Ice2911]

To see a paper on this (reworking an earlier post)
Factor = Prevailing wind
Seasonal variation of the prevailing wind direction in Britain
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wea.301/pdf
"For the months of April and May the frequency of northeasterlies is about equal to that of southwesterlies. In fact, during some decades, the prevailing wind at many sites during these months is northeasterly."
There's a better chance of a fairer wind for a JOGLE in April or May.

Interesting stuff thank you, I'm looking back end or Middle of June to July probably. Am I reading it right might be more favourable for LEJOG?

 

[Ajax Bay]

The key takeaway (for JOGLE v LEJOG) is that the prevailing SW'ly airstream flows except in April/May, where it's 50/50 and sometimes NE quadrant winds occur more of the month than SW quadrant winds. So for a June/July JOGLE wind is more likely (than not) to be a headwind more of the time. The sun is in your eyes all the time, on the sunny days.
Here is a link to an earlier post where I attempted to list the factors you might take into account.

 

[uphillstruggler]

@uphillstruggler has not got this jacket, not worn this jacket, has had a look at a picture of this jacket. Caveat emptor. If you want a jacket that might keep you warm and doesn't flap like a flappy thing, you'll be well advised to budget for more than £22.

So paying more guarantees a fit? Are you the all seeing touring oracle?

The jacket linked was an example of multi use items that may be handy. I can't remember saying that I had bought it or the OP was forced to buy it.

Just trying to help

 

[Ice2911]

So paying more guarantees a fit? Are you the all seeing touring oracle?

The jacket linked was an example of multi use items that may be handy. I can't remember saying that I had bought it or the OP was forced to buy it.

Just trying to help

The advice was appreciated, thank you.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Then padded shorts with lightweight zip off leg trousers if it gets cold or for evening wear

Have you got a pair of trousers like this? Link please. Or was this just another example of a multi use item that you think might be handy? I would have thought the zips would rub on the top (and maybe also the bottom) of your thighs.

 

[mjr]

@uphillstruggler has not got this jacket, not worn this jacket, has had a look at a picture of this jacket. Caveat emptor. If you want a jacket that might keep you warm and doesn't flap like a flappy thing, you'll be well advised to budget for more than £22.

@Ajax Bay has not got that jacket, not worn that jacket, has had a look at a picture of that jacket. I've got an earlier Tenn jacket, a long-sleeve Roubaix. Keeps me warm in Autumn and Spring (in fact, it's too warm when it's above 16°c, or about 12 with a jumper under it) although a biting cold wind can be felt through the lower arms. One side pocket zip went a bit unreliable after a year or so but that's mainly me overfilling pockets when cycling without a bag. It doesn't flap. The most obvious thing flapping like a flappy thing seems to be AB's keyboard Edit: obviously, I'd buy other Tenn products if they've got one which looks like it has the right mix of features.

tl;dr: Tenn stuff seems OK, especially in their frequent sales.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Good to see someone reviewing an item of clothing that they have owned and used.

 

[uphillstruggler]

Good to see someone reviewing an item of clothing that they have owned and used.

Hmm, I can't find my review of that jacket. Could you point me in its direction or was that comment not aimed my way

 

[uphillstruggler]

Have you got a pair of trousers like this? Link please. Or was this just another example of a multi use item that you think might be handy? I would have thought the zips would rub on the top (and maybe also the bottom) of your thighs.

No link I'm afraid although go outdoors are pretty cheap for this sort of thing

I've had a few pairs and not had an issue but it's like everything- you need to try before you buy.

I like the multi use approach as it lightens the load.

 

[Ajax Bay]

was that comment not aimed my way

Was a compliment to mrj - for his/her review of a jacket s/he had used.

 

[Big T]

I used an Altura Nevis for my Jogle ( probably equivalent to the Night Vision waterproof) but have since upgraded to a Goretex jacket. You can get days, especially in N Scotland, where it just rains all day long and you get wet and miserable. If you can afford it, it's worth spending money on a decent waterproof.

I wouldn't ride in zip off trousers/shorts. You can get arm and leg warmers in warm, fleecy Roubaix fabric. These don't take up much room and keep your arms and legs warm on a cool day and they can be easily removed and stowed. Aldi sell them when they have their spring and autumn bike stuff sales or Decathlon do cheap ones too.

I took a pair of Craghoppers to wear in the evenings.

I wouldn't bother with a turbo trainer either. Just get out and ride, on the road, as often as you can. I was doing about 150 miles a week on average, in the build up to my JOGLE.

 

[Ice2911]

I used an Altura Nevis for my Jogle ( probably equivalent to the Night Vision waterproof) but have since upgraded to a Goretex jacket. You can get days, especially in N Scotland, where it just rains all day long and you get wet and miserable. If you can afford it, it's worth spending money on a decent waterproof.

I wouldn't ride in zip off trousers/shorts. You can get arm and leg warmers in warm, fleecy Roubaix fabric. These don't take up much room and keep your arms and legs warm on a cool day and they can be easily removed and stowed. Aldi sell them when they have their spring and autumn bike stuff sales or Decathlon do cheap ones too.

I took a pair of Craghoppers to wear in the evenings.

I wouldn't bother with a turbo trainer either. Just get out and ride, on the road, as often as you can. I was doing about 150 miles a week on average, in the build up to my JOGLE.

Thank you for your advice