What Have I Done?

[merlinmagic]

Just got my invite for 2009 P2P for Royal British Legion. In it is a suggested training schedule:

5 - 6 months before.
60 miles a week, Break it down to manageable pieces 2 x 15 during the week 30 at the weekend.

3 - 4 months before.
Same during the week total of 30 but longer weekend 40 - 45 with some pit stops.

1 - 2 months before.
Increase weekday rides to 20 miles each keep weekend at 40 -45

2 - 4 weeks before
Don't push too hard. Once or twice a week, try to get out and do a 20 miler. At the weekend try and a slightly longer non stop ride up to about 30 miles.

Hope this helps. It got us there last year but we should have done more of the training on hills.

All the best

Well at the moment I cycle 8 miles each day to work. But am increasing this to 16 miles every other day with 8 miles on the others.

As I live in the city - Nottingham. Can't avoid steep hills no matter the route so have plenty of practice.

Are you booked on for the July or June trip?

Best of luck with your training.

 

[merlinmagic]

Just thought I would share what happened yesterday. Training day number 2. Day 1 was quite uneventful a nice 16 mile run around Nottingham.

Day 2 was a bit of a different story, a happy adventure though. Decided that I was going to be out for a while so headed into the country.

After a couple of crippling hills started to get the rhythm and got going for a good few miles.

Was thinking "Boy this is good, got my second wind". Hmmm. Turned the corner and then it hit me. My second wind was THE wind, behind me propelling me along. Decided to persevere and ended up getting a little bit lost. Cycled for 2 hours the second hour spent going up steep inclines with the wind blowing me all over the shop.

Even downhills weren't much fun as the wind was slowing me down.

Anyway because I made a bit of a mistake and got lost ended up cycling 31 miles in 2 hours and bit (when I realised how far off course I was it was as far to go back as carry on). Fortunately stopped off outside one village and had half an energy bar - boy am I glad I took one with me. Another thing where are all the cafes in North Nottinghamshire? Couldn't find anywhere to get a cup of tea.

Lessons learnt:

1) Headwinds are really tiring.
2) Planning the route and sticking to it is always best.
3) Wear more clothes because when the sun goes down it gets cold - no, correction, freezing.
4) Energy bars are your best friend.
5) Cycling long distances will make you eat like a horse. By my calculations my run burnt 1400 calories on top of my normal 2500 allowance. That's 3900 calories for the day just to maintain my weight.

Must admit though I feel really good today. Think it must be the adrenaline because I am buzzing. Didn't even sleep very well last night (kids waking up with bad dreams) etc. But feel the difference a long run makes and its really energising.

 

[jay clock]

Little and often. As the others said, keep building it up. I would try and build in errands on the bike too. Eg, if I need to pay a cheque in, I cycle to a branch about 8 miles away rather than down the road.

The first time I cycled London to Brighton (not the official ride) I had been commuting 12 mile round trip for a few weeks. I genuinely was astonished that I made it.

Most of the problem is mental, but you can do yourself a massive favour by training smart too. Each 4th week should reduce a little bit (ie not increase) then back) to the old level and keep on increasing. Perhaps one day each week with a longer ride. You can already do 16, so I did a quick chart which is attached (I hope). This assume your ride to work is 5 miles each way. Don't be too tied down, and you may find fitting in the longer rides mid-week a problem with work and family. But you get the idea. If you did something like this you would be very very fit and do it with ease. You could do a lot less and cope fine!

Keep us posted

 

[jay clock]

I could not attach the spreadsheet I did. PM me and I can send it over

Calorie-wise I am 90kg and use 51 cals per mile. Unless you want to lose weight as well, keep food intake up.

 

[merlinmagic]

Haven't posted for a while so thought I would update progress. Has been slow going. Weather and a holiday haven't helped.

Fell off about a month ago on ice which kind of set me back (had a bruise the size of a dinner plate on my leg) and snapped the chain on my bike. Cycled again whilst on holiday in Suffolk (Center Parcs) but it was just too dangerous and cars couldn't see me properly so had to give it up.

Started last week to get back into it, went to the gym and did 2 spinning classes last week. Cycled to work one day as the weather was shocking (managed to pick the day the snow came down). Looked like a snowman on a bike.

Going to the spinning class today after cycling into work. Feeling a distinct lack of motivation today. Old ways are surfacing and I desperately fancy going home sitting in front of the telly and eating pizza and drinking beer.

Have managed to raise £700 of the £1250 i need. Which is really good. But just feel totally demotivated. I'm tired, I'm fed up of cold weather and I think I am coming down with a cold too.

Think I need to give myself a talking to.

 

[dellzeqq]

My take on this (having helped people on the way to becoming long distance cyclists) is that cycling in company is worth a lot more than cycling on your jack jones.

Consider yourself as a physical specimen. You're not fit. You may never become very fit, but you want to get fitter. Others have said little and often, and that's absolutely right, but little, often and correct is a lot better. There's no point in doing a bunch of miles if your posture and your rhythm aren't good - you'll just wind up getting exhausted and, if you're unlucky, straining muscles.

Get in touch with a bike club. I'm biased in favour of the CTC, but you need any club that caters for beginners. Explain your position. If they are any good at all they'll point you in a direction of a ride that suits your ability. And, when you're riding with experienced cyclists, particularly the oldest of them, look at them very carefully. They've spent years becoming more and more efficient. Ask for advice. You don't have to take it, but, if you were to come out with our club you'd have centuries of riding experience to draw on.

The other advantage of group rides is that riding behind someone gets easier with practice. And riding behind someone is a smart move if you're extending your range.

 

[Arch]

Have managed to raise £700 of the £1250 i need. Which is really good. But just feel totally demotivated. I'm tired, I'm fed up of cold weather and I think I am coming down with a cold too.

Think I need to give myself a talking to.

It's the cold and the weather. Just think, it'll get better from here on... Think of snowdrops, and cherry blossom and the sun warm on your back... It gets warmer from now until you do the ride.

I've never done 95 miles in a day. But twice now I've gone on touring holidays with friends, with really very little training, and managed 50-60 mile days when I had to (I had the option of bailing out and driving the baggage car, though, and did, a couple of times when my knees started to hurt. But when I had to (someone else had to take the car ahead one day, not feeling well) I did. And that's on my trike, which is heavier than my uprights. If you are training properly, you'll do fine.

Headwinds are awful. Last October, in Northumberland, I returned from a day ride into a headwind for the last 8 miles, and was so exhausted that when we got back to the outskirts of Wooler where we were staying, I had to get off and walk, because I couldn't even go fast enough to stay upright. And when we stopped at the shop for some supper ingredients, and Tony asked "Shall I get some cheese?" I said "I don't care" - anyone who knows me, knows how serious that it.

If you can, try and select a route so that you are cycling out into the wind, and back with it behind you. Of course, sometimes, it'll change while you're out....

 

[merlinmagic]

Think I am going to definitely hit spinning class tonight. I am pretty tired but even if I can't do the whole thing (well have to slow down a little or drop resistance) completing the class is the objective tonight. Its getting my mind over my body which is saying no. I know I can do it just taking the easy option.

Contemplating riding it to and from the gym as well to get the extra in. Its not too far and a nice gentle ride. If I do I will probably bang in 28 miles total today.

Thanks for the tips guys. Dellzeqq, someone else mentioned CTC to me so I am going to check them out. I have always believed talking to older people teaches you more.

Arch, thanks for the encouragement.

 

[buggi]

did somebody call????

What have you done??

i'll tell you what you've done. you've just signed up for the most amazing experience. 6 months is absolutely plenty of time to train and you will have a fabulous time, meet some amazing people and do something that you will always be proud of. it's a hard slog, especially the first time, but SOOO worth it.

i was absolutely pooing my pants when i turned up the first time but i met some great people and we formed our own little team and this year will be our third year. you can find our website here www.phuk-dis.co.uk if you wanna have a nose, and drop me a pm if you want any advice.

don't be scared hun, you'll have a great time.