Setting myself a challenge........
Discussion
Ok,..... coming up to 60 in a couple of months......
Between the ages of 12-15 in the sixties I was quite a keen cyclist, often cycling between 60 to 120 miles in a day...
I haven't been on a bike (other than riding a few yards around the block) for over forty years, but I am setting myself a challenge (borrowing my son's Halford's Carrera bike) of riding to Sheffield and back via the Snake pass (going) and Woodhead pass (return)..according to the AA it is give or take a mile or so 120 miles...and I specifically would like to do this without any training at all, not even a two mile ride.... just pump up the tyres and go..that is part of the challenge..
Of course Mrs WR, my lads and girlfriends etc, think I am mad and have visions of me expiring on the bike a la Tommy Simpson.
I shall be setting off around 6.30 in the morning, aim to be in Sheffield for lunchtime, and back home for between 6 and 8 at night. I plan to wait for a nice sunny day next month, to give me maximum daylight hours.
I plan to take a photographic record to prove to them I have not cheated, (Which I wouldn't anyway)
I am not especially fit, but about average for my age I would say.
The only thing I anticipate could stop me would be mechanical failure or extreme saddle soreness, but I am determined to push through any pain barrier by wearing three pairs of underpants...
Thoughts?....
Anyhow, I'll let you know how I get on.....
Between the ages of 12-15 in the sixties I was quite a keen cyclist, often cycling between 60 to 120 miles in a day...
I haven't been on a bike (other than riding a few yards around the block) for over forty years, but I am setting myself a challenge (borrowing my son's Halford's Carrera bike) of riding to Sheffield and back via the Snake pass (going) and Woodhead pass (return)..according to the AA it is give or take a mile or so 120 miles...and I specifically would like to do this without any training at all, not even a two mile ride.... just pump up the tyres and go..that is part of the challenge..
Of course Mrs WR, my lads and girlfriends etc, think I am mad and have visions of me expiring on the bike a la Tommy Simpson.
I shall be setting off around 6.30 in the morning, aim to be in Sheffield for lunchtime, and back home for between 6 and 8 at night. I plan to wait for a nice sunny day next month, to give me maximum daylight hours.
I plan to take a photographic record to prove to them I have not cheated, (Which I wouldn't anyway)
I am not especially fit, but about average for my age I would say.
The only thing I anticipate could stop me would be mechanical failure or extreme saddle soreness, but I am determined to push through any pain barrier by wearing three pairs of underpants...
Thoughts?....
Anyhow, I'll let you know how I get on.....
Hell on toast thats some challenge......good luck, post the pictures up here too!
Do wear some sensible and appropriate clothing, take plenty of food and drink with you, eat little and often, stop when you need to. Take some emergency repairs, tubes and things, contact details should the worst happen. Just have fun and remember getting off to push isnt giving up its just progressing slower than intended...
Do wear some sensible and appropriate clothing, take plenty of food and drink with you, eat little and often, stop when you need to. Take some emergency repairs, tubes and things, contact details should the worst happen. Just have fun and remember getting off to push isnt giving up its just progressing slower than intended...
Wow, ok, i'm going to play Devils Advocate here...
1- You should go for it, it would be a huge sense of achievement and you should be very proud of youself for even wanting to get up and go!!
2- You're a fool for not doing any training. Off the top of my head possible problems will be (i'm sure someone will come along to correct me....)
- Muscle fatigue/injury
- Potential heart problems (you will put a huge strain on your heart, forcing it to work over and above normal capacity for an extended period of time)
Just some food for thought
Good luck!
1- You should go for it, it would be a huge sense of achievement and you should be very proud of youself for even wanting to get up and go!!
2- You're a fool for not doing any training. Off the top of my head possible problems will be (i'm sure someone will come along to correct me....)
- Muscle fatigue/injury
- Potential heart problems (you will put a huge strain on your heart, forcing it to work over and above normal capacity for an extended period of time)
Just some food for thought
Good luck!
Thanks for the encouragement and advice...
I did walk the Pennine way twice (270 miles) in 1974 and 1975, which was a challenge in itself I suppose, I guess I want to find out if I can still do it, more curiosity than anything else.
The reason I chose Sheffield is it was one of my favourite rides and I'm treating it as a trip down memory lane.
Anyhow, as I said, watch this space.......
I did walk the Pennine way twice (270 miles) in 1974 and 1975, which was a challenge in itself I suppose, I guess I want to find out if I can still do it, more curiosity than anything else.
The reason I chose Sheffield is it was one of my favourite rides and I'm treating it as a trip down memory lane.
Anyhow, as I said, watch this space.......
I was going to say the first time that I rode 120 miles.....before realising that I've never cycled that far!
Ok, so the first time I cycled 112 miles, I had trained for it, but not that much. I didn't know if I could do it. Now that I have cycled over 100 miles more than a few times, I know what it entails and that I can do it, mentally. Being fit just makes it more enjoyable during and after.
Good luck, though I did think you're a bit mad.
Dear Wacky,
The negative aspect. I think you are completely bonkers. I don't know where you live, but the climb out of Glossop is a pig, especially if the wind is in the wrong direction. The traffic on the Snake can be horrendous (too fast, too close, too big), the Woodhead is the same - I know you know, but it may be a bit of a shock when you're on a bike, not in a car. I think 12 hours will not be long enough for someone who hasn't ridden for a time - anytime after 30 miles your arse will ache, your haemorrhoids will hurt like hell, your hands will be tender, etc. Please, please, please have a plan B arranged (which would involve someone picking you up when it all goes horribly wrong).
The positive. Do it. Just think how good you'd feel mentally if you completed it (the arse may not feel so good). How you'd laugh at the doubters and naysayers on your way to A&E. It would certainly put you off riding a bike again for a while.
In all seriousness, arrange plan B. Take plenty of fluids, cake, energy gels etc. Make sure you have the tools for a minor mechanical.
I live in Matlock - if you do this over a weekend I would be more that happy to meet up and keep you company for some of the route.
And.
The negative aspect. I think you are completely bonkers. I don't know where you live, but the climb out of Glossop is a pig, especially if the wind is in the wrong direction. The traffic on the Snake can be horrendous (too fast, too close, too big), the Woodhead is the same - I know you know, but it may be a bit of a shock when you're on a bike, not in a car. I think 12 hours will not be long enough for someone who hasn't ridden for a time - anytime after 30 miles your arse will ache, your haemorrhoids will hurt like hell, your hands will be tender, etc. Please, please, please have a plan B arranged (which would involve someone picking you up when it all goes horribly wrong).
The positive. Do it. Just think how good you'd feel mentally if you completed it (the arse may not feel so good). How you'd laugh at the doubters and naysayers on your way to A&E. It would certainly put you off riding a bike again for a while.
In all seriousness, arrange plan B. Take plenty of fluids, cake, energy gels etc. Make sure you have the tools for a minor mechanical.
I live in Matlock - if you do this over a weekend I would be more that happy to meet up and keep you company for some of the route.
And.
bbc said:
Dear Wacky,
The negative aspect. I think you are completely bonkers. I don't know where you live, but the climb out of Glossop is a pig, especially if the wind is in the wrong direction. The traffic on the Snake can be horrendous (too fast, too close, too big), the Woodhead is the same - I know you know, but it may be a bit of a shock when you're on a bike, not in a car. I think 12 hours will not be long enough for someone who hasn't ridden for a time - anytime after 30 miles your arse will ache, your haemorrhoids will hurt like hell, your hands will be tender, etc. Please, please, please have a plan B arranged (which would involve someone picking you up when it all goes horribly wrong).
The positive. Do it. Just think how good you'd feel mentally if you completed it (the arse may not feel so good). How you'd laugh at the doubters and naysayers on your way to A&E. It would certainly put you off riding a bike again for a while.
Don't worry about the Snake Pass, I have probably cycled over it (and Woodhead) over thirty or forty times as a kid, I used to live near Glossop and know the area like the back of my hand. I haven't decided what day to do it yet, but it will definitely be midweek. I am not kidding myself it will be easy, but I am confident it will be within my capabilities.The negative aspect. I think you are completely bonkers. I don't know where you live, but the climb out of Glossop is a pig, especially if the wind is in the wrong direction. The traffic on the Snake can be horrendous (too fast, too close, too big), the Woodhead is the same - I know you know, but it may be a bit of a shock when you're on a bike, not in a car. I think 12 hours will not be long enough for someone who hasn't ridden for a time - anytime after 30 miles your arse will ache, your haemorrhoids will hurt like hell, your hands will be tender, etc. Please, please, please have a plan B arranged (which would involve someone picking you up when it all goes horribly wrong).
The positive. Do it. Just think how good you'd feel mentally if you completed it (the arse may not feel so good). How you'd laugh at the doubters and naysayers on your way to A&E. It would certainly put you off riding a bike again for a while.
I do understand the sensible thing to do would be to build up slowly, five miles one week, ten the next etc, but the way I plan to do it adds to the challenge aspect for me.
Thanks for your input anyhow....
Gargamel said:
S10GTA said:
Please please do a bit of training first. I'd struggle to do that and I'm back to riding quite a bit again (100+ miles per week)
Don't worry, you heard the OP, he went for a walk, 39 years ago, so he is quite fit. Even if the OP went out for a 30/40 mile ride first I think that would be beneficial.
On the other hand 120 miles over 12 hours, few rests stops, decent lunch, no need to crack the pace all the time.
If you take all day at it, I would think it is physically do able. What might do for you is blister type rubbing etc.
I know if I was on a racing geometry bike my neck would be unable to take 120 miles without pain. Looking up to look forward is actually more tiring than you think at big distances.
I admire the OP, but as ever fine line between "brave" and "foolhardy"
If you take all day at it, I would think it is physically do able. What might do for you is blister type rubbing etc.
I know if I was on a racing geometry bike my neck would be unable to take 120 miles without pain. Looking up to look forward is actually more tiring than you think at big distances.
I admire the OP, but as ever fine line between "brave" and "foolhardy"
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