LEJOG long and fast or long and slow
LEJOG long and fast or long and slow
Author
Discussion

N8CYL

Original Poster:

468 posts

179 months

Wednesday 21st May 2014
quotequote all
I am doing LEJOG in June but have been discussing with fellow cyclist the best way of using/conserving energy. Is it preferable to go as quickly as possible during the day and then rest as long as possible, or take the day slowly with less rest at the end.

Anyone know the answer?

Some Gump

13,018 posts

215 months

Wednesday 21st May 2014
quotequote all
Is "medium" not the right answer?

Imo, doing it quick would be the hardest. It would need the max total energy, so must be hardest on your body.
If sloooooow meant no sleep whatsoever, that would be hard too. Therefore my answer is "middle". smile

nammynake

2,658 posts

202 months

Wednesday 21st May 2014
quotequote all
If you want to enjoy the trip then I'd say don't ride late into the evening. Something like 8am-4pm with an hour for lunch plus a morning and afternoon stop. Leaves you the evening to relax and enjoy reflecting on the days ride.

If you want to smash it, or you're limited by time then ignore the above!

p.s. I'm basing this on my experience of riding from Blackpool to Paris. We had some overly long days - the longest being on the road from 8am until midnight!

Edited by nammynake on Wednesday 21st May 21:52

anonymous-user

83 months

Wednesday 21st May 2014
quotequote all
surely you have overnight stops planned which will govern the pace/distance. If you are doing say 100 miles a day, you should be done within 6-8 hours which is plenty enough time to recover if you start early. You should be able to maintain 100 miles a day at 25-30 kmh for a week with the usual cold bath/stretch/big meal within the hour techniques. Unless you have been training at pace over long distances on consecutive days, you dont really have much choice...

I'd also start early in the morning and be done for mid afternoon so you can avoid the midges too...

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 21st May 22:17

Sea Demon

1,168 posts

242 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
quotequote all
I've done it - how many miles a day you can do will depend on the route you take, what your carrying and the terrain (ie: hills/flat)

Most miles I did in a day was 105 miles, least was 56 miles and - the 1st 3-4 days were the worst for me I think. LOTS of hills in Cornwall/Devon but then a few days of quite flat terrain where the world seems great again.

Just go at a pace that suits - no point in trying to smash it from the off every day, on good days we stopped for a break every 40 miles or so for a snack etc & usually did around 10-12 hours a day (sometimes less) - we just decided when & wear to stop each day, set up camp - got a fire going & cooked food we bought near the end of the day.

We finished the ride in 12 days, around 980 miles I think it was & we carried all of our camping gear/clothes/spares etc.

For me, a good breakfast was key - usually egg & beans!

Edited by Sea Demon on Thursday 22 May 13:52

LewisBH

55 posts

148 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
quotequote all
I did it a couple of years ago when I was 19 with my best mate, we stayed at youth hostels and to be fair some of them were quite nice! We did it in 14 days, 998 miles total. Used to find the best way of getting the miles done was to smash out 50-60 miles before midday, have lunch and just take our time in the afternoon. Best of luck to you however you do it!

oyster

13,729 posts

277 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
quotequote all
Surely going JOGLE is a better challenge?

I've done it but walking not cycling.

Some Gump

13,018 posts

215 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
quotequote all
oyster said:
Surely going JOGLE is a better challenge?

I've done it but walking not cycling.
You might think that due to the prevailing winds in the UK, but remember - LEJoG is uphill all the way - a much better challenge.

louiebaby

10,955 posts

220 months

Friday 23rd May 2014
quotequote all
I did it supported on a road bie with a couple of mates a couple of years ago.

We did it in 9 days, so averaged 100 a day. The only day to start early is te first one, as the A30 is a bit busy on th first bit.

For the rest, treat it as a government job, 9-5 with a elevenses, an hour for lunch, and afternoon tea. smile

Loch Lomond to the bottom of Loch Ness was my best day cycling ever.

LewisBH

55 posts

148 months

Friday 23rd May 2014
quotequote all
louiebaby said:
I did it supported on a road bie with a couple of mates a couple of years ago.

We did it in 9 days, so averaged 100 a day. The only day to start early is te first one, as the A30 is a bit busy on th first bit.

For the rest, treat it as a government job, 9-5 with a elevenses, an hour for lunch, and afternoon tea. smile

Loch Lomond to the bottom of Loch Ness was my best day cycling ever.
Loch Lomond to Loch Ness is another world, absolutely fantastic ride. Need to go back!