a little help?

[d1bble]

Can you pros help me out a little?

I’m cycling from Nottingham to Leicester tomorrow (approx 30 miles) and wondered what I should take and be ready for.

Cycling the scenic route on a racer and packing water, puncture kit, light waterproof jacket, phone and map.
I’m not in any rush, but I have a tendency to try and keep up with cars (this won’t help over a longer distance)

The worrying fact is that I haven’t done anything like this before, except I do run marathons (11 in total) so could run the bloody thing if needs be, BUT I know it’s a different sport and fitness type. Should I be worried?

Would really appreciate some advice.

[saddle bum]

d1bble said:

Can you pros help me out a little?

I’m cycling from Nottingham to Leicester tomorrow (approx 30 miles) and wondered what I should take and be ready for.

Cycling the scenic route on a racer and packing water, puncture kit, light waterproof jacket, phone and map.
I’m not in any rush, but I have a tendency to try and keep up with cars (this won’t help over a longer distance)

The worrying fact is that I haven’t done anything like this before, except I do run marathons (11 in total) so could run the bloody thing if needs be, BUT I know it’s a different sport and fitness type. Should I be worried?

Would really appreciate some advice.

Tools: Allen keys, tyre levers, spare tubes, puncture kit, mobile phone. If you don't have q/r hubs, a spanner to get wheel off. Cash and credit cards.

Fluid: Water or better still a pre-mixed sports drink, at least one litre, (two bidons). Normal "Fat" Coke, mixed 50/50 with water is a good substitute. Breakfast bars/malt loaf/jam sarnies/Dextrosol.

Use Sudo Cream (lots) on your bum, with proper shorts. It has anti-acid properties and prevents blisters and soreness. Make sure saddle area is clean. Dress sensibly. Wear eye protection. Helmet is optional.

Use mitts, hands get sore. Wear cotton sox. Make sure your saddle height is the optimum and not too high. Pump tyres up hard. Lube chain.

Finish breakfast, (porridge plus raisins) one hour plus before setting off. Make sure you have a bowel movement before riding, (sorry, but it's basic common sense). Hydrate well with water before starting out.

[d1bble]

saddle bum said:

Tools: Allen keys, tyre levers, spare tubes, puncture kit, mobile phone. If you don't have q/r hubs, a spanner to get wheel off. Cash and credit cards.

Fluid: Water or better still a pre-mixed sports drink, at least one litre, (two bidons). Normal "Fat" Coke, mixed 50/50 with water is a good substitute. Breakfast bars/malt loaf/jam sarnies/Dextrosol.

Use Sudo Cream (lots) on your bum, with proper shorts. It has anti-acid properties and prevents blisters and soreness. Make sure saddle area is clean. Dress sensibly. Wear eye protection. Helmet is optional.

Use mitts, hands get sore. Wear cotton sox. Make sure your saddle height is the optimum and not too high. Pump tyres up hard. Lube chain.

Finish breakfast, (porridge plus raisins) one hour plus before setting off. Make sure you have a bowel movement before riding, (sorry, but it's basic common sense). Hydrate well with water before starting out.

Wow, thank you. Thats superb. Im quite looking forward to it.

just one quick thing. Will i really need to take something to eat?

[dilbert]

I reckon one of these might be a good idea!

[saddle bum]

d1bble said:

just one quick thing. Will i really need to take something to eat?

30 miles will take over 2 hours. The body can last about one hour without risking plummeting glucose levels. Cyclist call it "the Bonk", (yes really), I suppose marathon men call it "the Wall". Depending on level of effort, a club cyclist will expend 600-1000 calories in an hour. You are advised to take something even if it is just a reserve. You should eat something every half-hour and drink every 15 minutes.

Seriously, if you get hypoglycaemia, you will wish you had never been born. If you start to "go flat", its too late, you will have to stop and take in sugar.

[d1bble]

where did that post go?

[d1bble]

saddle bum said:

d1bble said:

just one quick thing. Will i really need to take something to eat?

30 miles will take over 2 hours. The body can last about one hour without risking plummeting glucose levels. Cyclist call it "the Bonk", (yes really), I suppose marathon men call it "the Wall". Depending on level of effort, a club cyclist will expend 600-1000 calories in an hour. You are advised to take something even if it is just a reserve. You should eat something every half-hour and drink every 15 minutes.

Seriously, if you get hypoglycaemia, you will wish you had never been born. If you start to "go flat", its too late, you will have to stop and take in sugar.

good point.

i'll time it and let you know.

[docevi1]

d1bble said:

where did that post go?

which post?
Whilst accurate, I guessed it would cause more headaches than it was worth.

Edited by docevi1 on Saturday 19th August 21:13

[d1bble]

docevi1 said:

d1bble said:

where did that post go?

which post?
Whilst accurate, I guessed it would cause more headaches than it was worth.

Edited by docevi1 on Saturday 19th August 21:13

I sort of agree with you. I have never took a drink with me whilst running, be it 1 or 3hrs. I once (quite foolishly) got dropped off on the other side of Burton on Trent and proceeded to run back on fresh air (roughly a 30mile run). I can still remember the grin on my sisters face as she dropped me off. I made it back, but it was hard going, in fact I did hallucinate little. Real warm day as well.

Anyway, I didn’t learn a thing from that and always wait until I get home for a drink.
Might change my login to ‘the Camel’.

Edited by d1bble on Saturday 19th August 22:16

[docevi1]

I guess it depends on how serious you are taking the cycling. If something happened to the bike whilst I was out, I'd walk to the nearest road / pick up point and call in the cavalry hence not carrying any tools. I guess that, and the various creams is the difference between someone doing it as a hobby and a "pro".

[d1bble]

Bloody hell. The wrists!!!

You didn’t mention the wrists

That’s me out of action for a week or so.

2 & half hours.

I have learnt two important lessons.

- Invent a comfy seat.

- don’t go the scenic route (those bloody hills).

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[saddle bum]

Well done.

If you can do a couple of miles tommorow, it will help tone up the muscles.

[d1bble]

saddle bum said:

Well done.

If you can do a couple of miles tommorow, it will help tone up the muscles.

Cheers. Really?

[JPJ]

Well done on getting there all the same, those saddles do get more comfy over time (or maybe the arse gets more used to it, I don't know) but keep at it and you will be knocking minutes off the time over the next few trips.

Also, try and strectch the wrists, neck and shoulders as you go along and that should help next time.

[d1bble]

Have just done the same route again and am well chuffed.

I decided this time to pace myself, by not sticking it in a high/low gear (?) whilst down hill and pedal like hell, but instead just free rolling down hill.

My arse is also feeling ok this time.