70 mile round trip with little training on a mountain bike
70 mile round trip with little training on a mountain bike
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MotorsportTom

Original Poster:

3,343 posts

190 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
As per title, I have decided I want to cycle to the south coast (live in south Somerset) and it's just shy of 35 miles each way.

The only equipment I have to use is a mountain bike with dirt tyres and toe clips fitted, is it wise to do it? or just MTFU and get it done?

I don't currently have the money to buy a road cycle but I'm thinking the larger distances I do on a bike not built for the conditions means my fitness will get better quicker...right?

Oh and if anyone fancies riding from around the Templecombe/Sherborne/Stalbridge area to Lulworth Cove then come and join me this weekend biggrin

one eyed cat

62 posts

198 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
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You'll be fine, to make it a little easier try fitting some slicker tyres, I recommend schwable city jets for commuting on a mtb.

MotorsportTom

Original Poster:

3,343 posts

190 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for the heads up but at current without an income I can't afford anything but it's definitely something I've though about doing. As soon as funds permit I'll be pricing some up.

Any other advice or tips for the cycle? I forgot to say the biggest cycle I've done recently is only 13 miles so I dont know whether I'd be up for it although I did do an average of 13mph

BoRED S2upid

21,047 posts

269 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
Its going to take you all day. Ofcourse you can do it, you don't have to go flat out all the way but a road bike will be 10 times easier and quicker.

MotorsportTom

Original Poster:

3,343 posts

190 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
Oh I'm well aware how much better a road bike will be but as I say it's not something I can get at the moment.

And all day you say? I reckon I can crack it in under 4 hours easily, challenge accepted wink

Mr E

23,041 posts

288 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
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MotorsportTom said:
And all day you say? I reckon I can crack it in under 4 hours easily, challenge accepted wink
70 miles in 4 hours on a MTB running off road tyres?

Good luck!

MotorsportTom

Original Poster:

3,343 posts

190 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
Mr E said:
70 miles in 4 hours on a MTB running off road tyres?

Good luck!
Sorry should have said 70 miles is the full tour trip not one way aha, I expect it to be around 4 hours one way as I'll be taking some gear in a bag with me too!

nammynake

2,658 posts

202 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
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Pumping up your tyres high will help with lowering rolling resistance. As a guide look to inflate to the max pressure guide, which is usually printed on the side wall of the tyres.

Long Drax

744 posts

199 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
MotorsportTom said:
Oh I'm well aware how much better a road bike will be but as I say it's not something I can get at the moment.

And all day you say? I reckon I can crack it in under 4 hours easily, challenge accepted wink
You are going to average 17.5mph on that machine, with those tyres?

Not a hope in hell, mate! But I hope you enjoy your ride.

trashbat

6,305 posts

182 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
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BoRED S2upid said:
Its going to take you all day. Ofcourse you can do it, you don't have to go flat out all the way but a road bike will be 10 times easier and quicker.
So he's going to average 150 mph with only the most minimum effort? Whither yon devil-cycle?

OP, you will be fine. It's a bit of a jump from 13 miles so if you can do some intermediate distance rides as preparation then it will be really helpful. Have you got plans in case of breakdown (bike or you), just in case?

Edited by trashbat on Wednesday 25th July 13:34

madbadger

11,752 posts

273 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
MotorsportTom said:
Mr E said:
70 miles in 4 hours on a MTB running off road tyres?

Good luck!
Sorry should have said 70 miles is the full tour trip not one way aha, I expect it to be around 4 hours one way as I'll be taking some gear in a bag with me too!
Easily doable on an MTB. Think of it as being training rather than doing it without any training.

However it would apparently only take 24 minutes to do 35 miles on a roadbike.

BoRED S2upid said:
Its going to take you all day. Ofcourse you can do it, you don't have to go flat out all the way but a road bike will be 10 times easier and quicker.
wink

Edited by madbadger on Thursday 26th July 08:46

BoRED S2upid

21,047 posts

269 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
MotorsportTom said:
Mr E said:
70 miles in 4 hours on a MTB running off road tyres?

Good luck!
Sorry should have said 70 miles is the full tour trip not one way aha, I expect it to be around 4 hours one way as I'll be taking some gear in a bag with me too!
Thats 8 hours for the trip which is all day in my book. You didn't say it was half way!

MotorsportTom

Original Poster:

3,343 posts

190 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
Yeah I am looking at it as a training session for my first large distance cycle, but tbh I just want to go to the beach for as cheap as possible biggrin

I'm sure the max PSI on the sidewall says 65 so I'll put them up to that, I'll also use the map my ride app to track my exact data and I'll let you all know when it's done.

Cheers for the kind words and support, it'll be a laugh I hope!

MotorsportTom

Original Poster:

3,343 posts

190 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
BoRED S2upid said:
Thats 8 hours for the trip which is all day in my book. You didn't say it was half way!
Sorry yes should have said and I suppose I was thinking all day was more sunrise to sunset

MotorsportTom

Original Poster:

3,343 posts

190 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
trashbat said:
OP, you will be fine. It's a bit of a jump from 13 miles so if you can do some intermediate distance rides as preparation then it will be really helpful. Have you got plans in case of breakdown (bike or you), just in case?

Edited by trashbat on Wednesday 25th July 13:34
I was thinking perhaps doing a 15-20 mile cycle in preparation possibly tomorrow and do the coast ride on Saturday, as for breakdown, I was thinking spare inner tube, couple of spanners and a pump, as for the bike...

trashbat

6,305 posts

182 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
Sounds like a plan - treat Saturday as a single 70 mile ride though, and go as far as you can before then, with some hills as well. The more prep you do, the easier it will be, but you could just MTFU and do it.

Don't worry too much about your choice of bike - the MTB is good for up hills, and if you're going quick enough then it's aerodynamics rather than tyres that slow you down.

Mr E

23,041 posts

288 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
MotorsportTom said:
Mr E said:
70 miles in 4 hours on a MTB running off road tyres?

Good luck!
Sorry should have said 70 miles is the full tour trip not one way aha, I expect it to be around 4 hours one way as I'll be taking some gear in a bag with me too!
35 miles on well inflated MTB tyres is certainly within range. Depends on wind and hills I guess.
My ride home is 5 miles and I can do it in 20 mins on a MTB without killing myself.

MotorsportTom

Original Poster:

3,343 posts

190 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
Mr E said:
35 miles on well inflated MTB tyres is certainly within range. Depends on wind and hills I guess.
My ride home is 5 miles and I can do it in 20 mins on a MTB without killing myself.
I did a commute of 10 miles a day (5 each way) and managed to do it on hilly areas at about 28 minutes but I was a lot less fit then. I think it should be easily doable it's just I haven't done anything like this before really

JustNeil

636 posts

256 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
You'll be fine. Just take some obvious repair kit (inner tube, etc). Don't set off too quick and enjoy the ride. 70 miles is easily do-able if you keep yourself hydrated and fuelled up properly, and wear some decent shorts...

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

238 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
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Remember it's not a race. If it takes you six hours... So be it. When you get home you'll feel amazing.

Take your time and remember to drink, LOTS.