Bike Newbie Question
Discussion
Have looked to see if there's a similar thread on here but can't see one...
Myself and three or four others are planning on doing a charity bike ride in late August. The other guys cycle socially whereas I haven't got on a bike for 40 years; the ride will be from the Bath area to London and will likely take a couple of days (80 miles first day, 40 miles second day).
Firstly, is it realistic for me to take part or even complete this ride? I don't currently have a bike so would be using a gym-based static bike for the training. I'm 57, still overweight, but having lost nearly six stone in the past twelve months.
Secondly, if it is realistic, what sort of training levels should I be doing per week?
Thirdly, given the most direct route between Bath and London will be out of bounds to us, what would be the best app/website to get a bike friendly route for us to use?
Thanks in advance for your answers, even the ones that will flame me
Myself and three or four others are planning on doing a charity bike ride in late August. The other guys cycle socially whereas I haven't got on a bike for 40 years; the ride will be from the Bath area to London and will likely take a couple of days (80 miles first day, 40 miles second day).
Firstly, is it realistic for me to take part or even complete this ride? I don't currently have a bike so would be using a gym-based static bike for the training. I'm 57, still overweight, but having lost nearly six stone in the past twelve months.
Secondly, if it is realistic, what sort of training levels should I be doing per week?
Thirdly, given the most direct route between Bath and London will be out of bounds to us, what would be the best app/website to get a bike friendly route for us to use?
Thanks in advance for your answers, even the ones that will flame me
I would say you're incredibly brave and perhaps slightly naive. Your friends will be in a far better position to complete the miles given that they ride socially already. It's a long way to go in a day, and if it's hilly you'll need to be fit.
Some might disagree with me, but 2 months is pushing it if you work. If you're retired, get out on your bike as often as possible and aim to stay in zone 2 using a heart rate monitor (smart watch will do). Every now and then chuck a few short sprints in (20 - 30 mins fast). You might just manage it.
All the best, and let us know how you get on. I'm 34 and struggle after 30 miles due to the hills by me. If it's quite a flat ride you should be alright.
As for routes, use Strava or Garmin.
Some might disagree with me, but 2 months is pushing it if you work. If you're retired, get out on your bike as often as possible and aim to stay in zone 2 using a heart rate monitor (smart watch will do). Every now and then chuck a few short sprints in (20 - 30 mins fast). You might just manage it.
All the best, and let us know how you get on. I'm 34 and struggle after 30 miles due to the hills by me. If it's quite a flat ride you should be alright.
As for routes, use Strava or Garmin.
Discendo Discimus said:
I would say you're incredibly brave and perhaps slightly naive. Your friends will be in a far better position to complete the miles given that they ride socially already. It's a long way to go in a day, and if it's hilly you'll need to be fit.
Some might disagree with me, but 2 months is pushing it if you work. If you're retired, get out on your bike as often as possible and aim to stay in zone 2 using a heart rate monitor (smart watch will do). Every now and then chuck a few short sprints in (20 - 30 mins fast). You might just manage it.
All the best, and let us know how you get on. I'm 34 and struggle after 30 miles due to the hills by me. If it's quite a flat ride you should be alright.
As for routes, use Strava or Garmin.
Thanks, DD, this is precisely the sort of advice I need. Definitely not brave, definitely naive and yes, I'll be at the back of the group for sure.Some might disagree with me, but 2 months is pushing it if you work. If you're retired, get out on your bike as often as possible and aim to stay in zone 2 using a heart rate monitor (smart watch will do). Every now and then chuck a few short sprints in (20 - 30 mins fast). You might just manage it.
All the best, and let us know how you get on. I'm 34 and struggle after 30 miles due to the hills by me. If it's quite a flat ride you should be alright.
As for routes, use Strava or Garmin.
I'm 57 now and in full time work with a part time job. It's going to be incredibly difficult to get out and do very much training given that I've entered two half marathons in September and October so running will take up much of my spare time.
GloverMart said:
I'm 57 now and in full time work with a part time job. It's going to be incredibly difficult to get out and do very much training given that I've entered two half marathons in September and October so running will take up much of my spare time.
Considering your training status, your combined running and cycling goals read like a recipe for injury. Could you focus on running for now (e.g., your half-marathon training), and then decide what to do next? You could always include some cycling on days when you’re not running, improving your aerobic base while your running muscles recover.
Also, you’d be well advised to schedule a weight training session (a proactive measure for injury prevention) at least once a week, scheduled before a rest day. Plus, it s worth investing in stretching for a few minutes daily (again, it’s injury risk reduction).
Edited by Salted_Peanut on Wednesday 18th June 21:36
Sorry, but I’d say it would be a real struggle to do 80miles from pretty much no riding IMO.
You’ll probably have fitness from running from the sound of it, but you’ll probably struggle to ride at the same pace as your friends and would be just holding them back.
2 months is also not enough time to get the mileage and training in to get fitness levels up either.
If the aim is to just get to the end of the ride whatever, and none of you particularly enjoying it, then go for it!
You’ll probably have fitness from running from the sound of it, but you’ll probably struggle to ride at the same pace as your friends and would be just holding them back.
2 months is also not enough time to get the mileage and training in to get fitness levels up either.
If the aim is to just get to the end of the ride whatever, and none of you particularly enjoying it, then go for it!
Ladders said:
Sorry, but I d say it would be a real struggle to do 80miles from pretty much no riding IMO.
You ll probably have fitness from running from the sound of it, but you ll probably struggle to ride at the same pace as your friends and would be just holding them back.
2 months is also not enough time to get the mileage and training in to get fitness levels up either.
If the aim is to just get to the end of the ride whatever, and none of you particularly enjoying it, then go for it!
Agreed, with no riding I would say at least 6 months to get to the required level for an 80 mile ride but you would need a lot of training rides, start with 10 mile rides, then 20, 30 and onwardsYou ll probably have fitness from running from the sound of it, but you ll probably struggle to ride at the same pace as your friends and would be just holding them back.
2 months is also not enough time to get the mileage and training in to get fitness levels up either.
If the aim is to just get to the end of the ride whatever, and none of you particularly enjoying it, then go for it!
i spent 9 months training for unsupported LeJoG, 9 day ride. The most i ever rode in training was 52 miles.
TBH there isn't much difference in fitness between 30 and 80 miles and it comes down to fuelling and hydration. Biggest decision will be what seat suits you and bike setup and that needs to be sorted ASAP.
As others have suggested get out now on those 10 milers!
TBH there isn't much difference in fitness between 30 and 80 miles and it comes down to fuelling and hydration. Biggest decision will be what seat suits you and bike setup and that needs to be sorted ASAP.
As others have suggested get out now on those 10 milers!
How often are you running a week? Do you have the bike you would use already? Any gear like decent bib shorts (circa £100 IMO)?
As above, you need to get used to a long(ish) day on the bike eg six hours plus in the saddle. Getting three hours in and finding your perineum is in tatters isn't going to make for an enjoyable couple of days.
Route planning, RideWithGPS has already been mentioned. The Open Cycle layer (map) can be useful. NCN Route 4 is London to Fishguard and goes to Bath / Bristol so you might find that useful as a base. It does use sections of towpath and they wouldn't be my first choice for long distance at a steady pace as, IMO, there are too many interruptions like walkers, dogs, fishermen, low bridges which sees your average speed dropping and becomes frustrating.
As above, you need to get used to a long(ish) day on the bike eg six hours plus in the saddle. Getting three hours in and finding your perineum is in tatters isn't going to make for an enjoyable couple of days.
Route planning, RideWithGPS has already been mentioned. The Open Cycle layer (map) can be useful. NCN Route 4 is London to Fishguard and goes to Bath / Bristol so you might find that useful as a base. It does use sections of towpath and they wouldn't be my first choice for long distance at a steady pace as, IMO, there are too many interruptions like walkers, dogs, fishermen, low bridges which sees your average speed dropping and becomes frustrating.
Thanks to all for their comments and really appreciate the fact no one has ripped into me yet for being stupid!! To answer some of your questions...
Wouldn't want to use a e-bike really, needs to be a "proper" bike.
Focusing on running is a good shout, I've enjoyed building myself up in running from someone that stopped three times on his first parkrun to now where I can complete a 10k without too many issues.
As far as timing goes, someone else is organising it and although the date is yet to be nailed down, it's likely to be August 30th.
I don't have a bike or any gear yet (you can tell I'm under prepared )
Running schedule at the moment is a parkrun on Saturday plus another 5-6k and a 10k in the week, most weeks.
Appreciate all the help given, thanks a lot. Just getting it down on paper so to speak has highlighted just how under cooked I will be and that time is against me making a success of this. Might be time to admit defeat gracefully and slink off quietly!
Wouldn't want to use a e-bike really, needs to be a "proper" bike.
Focusing on running is a good shout, I've enjoyed building myself up in running from someone that stopped three times on his first parkrun to now where I can complete a 10k without too many issues.
As far as timing goes, someone else is organising it and although the date is yet to be nailed down, it's likely to be August 30th.
I don't have a bike or any gear yet (you can tell I'm under prepared
)Running schedule at the moment is a parkrun on Saturday plus another 5-6k and a 10k in the week, most weeks.
Appreciate all the help given, thanks a lot. Just getting it down on paper so to speak has highlighted just how under cooked I will be and that time is against me making a success of this. Might be time to admit defeat gracefully and slink off quietly!
Edited by GloverMart on Thursday 19th June 10:18
Will this be on road or off road as that will be one of the biggest challenges?
I have one or two friends that ride and run and they always say it uses very different muscles so while you might be doing lots of training it might not be of the same benefit for fitness (losing weight by any means is still a positive though).
I have one or two friends that ride and run and they always say it uses very different muscles so while you might be doing lots of training it might not be of the same benefit for fitness (losing weight by any means is still a positive though).
I wouldn't consider it a defeat - it's being pragmatic and lets you focus on your two big objectives (the half marathons). It's not like you turned the bike ride down because you couldn't be bothered to put in the hard work. Over-training and getting injured or ill could wipe everything out.
Harpoon said:
I wouldn't consider it a defeat - it's being pragmatic and lets you focus on your two big objectives (the half marathons). It's not like you turned the bike ride down because you couldn't be bothered to put in the hard work. Over-training and getting injured or ill could wipe everything out.
Yes, badly worded on my part, not a defeat at all. To be honest, I would have been doing it as a favour to the guy that is heavily involved in organising it - he is an ex-pro footballer that is doing it for a heart charity after he received a triple heart bypass in February. Not worth putting myself in trouble for, really. How far is work from home? Can you incorporate a bike ride into your commute. I commute 17.5 miles each way daily and built up to it over a few years, if your commute is 10 miles or less doing that twice a day will go a long way to helping and fit in with your routine more easily than finding "spare" time to go for a ride.
Most people have mentioned fitness but the other big barrier is comfort. Even with a well fitting saddle and expensive bibs, 80 miles on an untrained bum is gonna get very painful. I’ve been riding since Covid and still haven’t hit 80miles in one ride. 76 is my max according to Strava and it’s always saddle pain, not legs that gets me.
Work is about 12 miles from home and the car commute is dreadful, most of it is along the Ring Road around Bristol if you know it, shocking. That would be a reasonable alternative, actually, as some of it has a detached cycle path, e.g. not a painted-on-the-road path but one a distance from it. There's also showers at work too although I'm not a great fan of doing that as I still always end up sweaty after them anyway.
I'll chew it over this weekend, am having a meeting with my mate on Monday, I think, and I'll decide then. The potential saddle issue might be the defining point....
I'll chew it over this weekend, am having a meeting with my mate on Monday, I think, and I'll decide then. The potential saddle issue might be the defining point....
I'd say it's very realistic if you get a bike now and get on it as much as you can in the next few weeks. You need time in the saddle as much to get used to it as anything. Learn how much you need to eat and drink etc
80 miles is not difficult with any decent level of fitness. It's a long day in the saddle at 12mph or so. If that's on the road that's pretty easy going. It's all about pacing and fuelling, plenty of breaks
80 miles is not difficult with any decent level of fitness. It's a long day in the saddle at 12mph or so. If that's on the road that's pretty easy going. It's all about pacing and fuelling, plenty of breaks
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