Any tips for my first road bike marathon this weekend?
Any tips for my first road bike marathon this weekend?
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Discussion

beanbag

Original Poster:

7,346 posts

264 months

Thursday 4th September 2008
quotequote all
The day is pretty much on me now and this Sunday I will be heading out to Salzburg in the Alps for my first 148km road bike marathon with 2200m of elevation.

My equipment isn't ideal since I'm riding it using my Specialized Sirrus hybrid on 28c's, however I've improved the riding position by adding some aero bars, but the rest is standard.

For practicality, I've added a couple of bottle cages so I can take at least 2 litres of water and I'm about to buy a saddle pouch to keep a couple of inner tubes, tyre lever and energy snacks handy. This way I can avoid taking my camelpak.

Apart from this, what should I expect or do to prepare myself in the last few days before the marathon?

Edited by beanbag on Thursday 4th September 22:30

mat205125

17,790 posts

236 months

Thursday 4th September 2008
quotequote all
Make sure your bike is tip top. Nothing else to do really now. Too late to start thinking about training, but live on Pasta until the big day. Loads of it.

I'm doing my first 100mile ride this weekend. Pics to follow.

AbarthChris

2,259 posts

238 months

Thursday 4th September 2008
quotequote all
beanbag said:
The day is pretty much on me now and this Sunday I will be heading out to Salzburg in the Alps for my first 148km road bike marathon with 2200m of

My equipment isn't ideal since I'm riding it using my Specialized Sirrus hybrid on 28c's, however I've improved the riding position by adding some aero bars, but the rest is standard.

For practicality, I've added a couple of bottle cages so I can take at least 2 litres of water and I'm about to buy a saddle pouch to keep a couple of inner tubes, tyre lever and energy snacks handy. This way I can avoid taking my camelpak.

Apart from this, what should I expect or do to prepare myself in the last few days before the marathon?
Chamois Creme - Do not leave home without it!

JPJ

421 posts

272 months

Thursday 4th September 2008
quotequote all
Yep, just gets some carbs in ahead of the event, make sure you've got some suitable chamois cream and a few varied energy bars or food products to keep you going, particularly as little treats if you start to flag a bit during the ride. If you're using a cycling jersey you can put a few bits in the rear pockets. I agree that not taking a camelback is definitely the way to go.

Don't rest up completely, make sure you do a little light riding today and tomorrow, but nothing strenuous, and get plenty of fluid in you in advance, plus lots of sleep.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

beanbag

Original Poster:

7,346 posts

264 months

Thursday 4th September 2008
quotequote all
AbarthChris said:
beanbag said:
The day is pretty much on me now and this Sunday I will be heading out to Salzburg in the Alps for my first 148km road bike marathon with 2200m of

My equipment isn't ideal since I'm riding it using my Specialized Sirrus hybrid on 28c's, however I've improved the riding position by adding some aero bars, but the rest is standard.

For practicality, I've added a couple of bottle cages so I can take at least 2 litres of water and I'm about to buy a saddle pouch to keep a couple of inner tubes, tyre lever and energy snacks handy. This way I can avoid taking my camelpak.

Apart from this, what should I expect or do to prepare myself in the last few days before the marathon?
Chamois Creme - Do not leave home without it!
What's that!?!?! Never heard of it before.....

snotrag

15,488 posts

234 months

Thursday 4th September 2008
quotequote all
Your bike shop will have it.

You are wearing proper cycling shorts with a Chamois, arent you?

AbarthChris

2,259 posts

238 months

Thursday 4th September 2008
quotequote all
beanbag said:
AbarthChris said:
beanbag said:
The day is pretty much on me now and this Sunday I will be heading out to Salzburg in the Alps for my first 148km road bike marathon with 2200m of

My equipment isn't ideal since I'm riding it using my Specialized Sirrus hybrid on 28c's, however I've improved the riding position by adding some aero bars, but the rest is standard.

For practicality, I've added a couple of bottle cages so I can take at least 2 litres of water and I'm about to buy a saddle pouch to keep a couple of inner tubes, tyre lever and energy snacks handy. This way I can avoid taking my camelpak.

Apart from this, what should I expect or do to prepare myself in the last few days before the marathon?
Chamois Creme - Do not leave home without it!
What's that!?!?! Never heard of it before.....
Its comfort in a tub! go for Assos creme and get a nice tingle to go with it smile

Basically its anti-chafe creme, spread it on your chamois (the padded bit in your shorts) and around your gooch and it will help you complete your ride

beanbag

Original Poster:

7,346 posts

264 months

Thursday 4th September 2008
quotequote all
AbarthChris said:
beanbag said:
AbarthChris said:
beanbag said:
The day is pretty much on me now and this Sunday I will be heading out to Salzburg in the Alps for my first 148km road bike marathon with 2200m of

My equipment isn't ideal since I'm riding it using my Specialized Sirrus hybrid on 28c's, however I've improved the riding position by adding some aero bars, but the rest is standard.

For practicality, I've added a couple of bottle cages so I can take at least 2 litres of water and I'm about to buy a saddle pouch to keep a couple of inner tubes, tyre lever and energy snacks handy. This way I can avoid taking my camelpak.

Apart from this, what should I expect or do to prepare myself in the last few days before the marathon?
Chamois Creme - Do not leave home without it!
What's that!?!?! Never heard of it before.....
Its comfort in a tub! go for Assos creme and get a nice tingle to go with it smile

Basically its anti-chafe creme, spread it on your chamois (the padded bit in your shorts) and around your gooch and it will help you complete your ride
Ah, gotcha! wink

I've got proper shorts of course, but I was thinking of using bog standard Vaseline to combat the leg chafing. I guess this stuff is better! thumbup

I'll see what my bike shop has to offer......

JPJ

421 posts

272 months

Thursday 4th September 2008
quotequote all
Another option is Sudocreme which is usually found as nappy cream in the baby section of supermarkets. Does much the same, lot cheaper but you don't get the 'Assos tingle'

Matt H

542 posts

245 months

Thursday 4th September 2008
quotequote all
JPJ said:
Another option is Sudocreme which is usually found as nappy cream in the baby section of supermarkets. Does much the same, lot cheaper but you don't get the 'Assos tingle'
My wife gets a bit funny when I use the kids things on Stephen & the twins!

beanbag

Original Poster:

7,346 posts

264 months

Thursday 4th September 2008
quotequote all
Matt H said:
JPJ said:
Another option is Sudocreme which is usually found as nappy cream in the baby section of supermarkets. Does much the same, lot cheaper but you don't get the 'Assos tingle'
My wife gets a bit funny when I use the kids things on Stephen & the twins!
Cardinal internet rule: "Never reveal the name of your meat and two veg to all on a public forum!!!" teacher
hehe

The Londoner

3,964 posts

261 months

Thursday 4th September 2008
quotequote all
beanbag said:
AbarthChris said:
beanbag said:
AbarthChris said:
beanbag said:
The day is pretty much on me now and this Sunday I will be heading out to Salzburg in the Alps for my first 148km road bike marathon with 2200m of

My equipment isn't ideal since I'm riding it using my Specialized Sirrus hybrid on 28c's, however I've improved the riding position by adding some aero bars, but the rest is standard.

For practicality, I've added a couple of bottle cages so I can take at least 2 litres of water and I'm about to buy a saddle pouch to keep a couple of inner tubes, tyre lever and energy snacks handy. This way I can avoid taking my camelpak.

Apart from this, what should I expect or do to prepare myself in the last few days before the marathon?
Chamois Creme - Do not leave home without it!
What's that!?!?! Never heard of it before.....
Its comfort in a tub! go for Assos creme and get a nice tingle to go with it smile

Basically its anti-chafe creme, spread it on your chamois (the padded bit in your shorts) and around your gooch and it will help you complete your ride
Ah, gotcha! wink

I've got proper shorts of course, but I was thinking of using bog standard Vaseline to combat the leg chafing. I guess this stuff is better! thumbup

I'll see what my bike shop has to offer......
Assso chamois cream has been the revelation of the year for me. Works way better than vaseline or sudocream. Well worth the price so don't leave home without it. Good luck on your ride by the way!

beanbag

Original Poster:

7,346 posts

264 months

Saturday 6th September 2008
quotequote all
People I've decided are the biggest fking assholes in the world.

After training for 2 solid months, changing my diet to give me more energy, spending over £120 on parts for my bike and servicing and declining what could have been a golfing holiday this weekend, I am not longer able to go on the bike tour tomorrow.

The person taking us has decided he no longer wants to wake up at 4am to drive us to the place yet he insisted it was fine a week ago, and however hard I tried, I am not able to get a rental car as they are all out and the only ones available start from €200.

On top of this there is no train that will get us to Salzburg for 7am when we need to be there and unfortunately none of my friends can offer me the lift.

Why is it when people let you down, they seem to do so in spectacular fashion.

The guy is a fking cock....he's even switched off his phone and was previously ignoring the texts and calls I made to him.

So....after all that, I'm fked and no longer able to do my first marathon.

Needless to say, I'm massively disappointed.

snotrag

15,488 posts

234 months

Saturday 6th September 2008
quotequote all
Try a long ride(century?) tomorrow. Get a map out and go out on your own - it may seem like pointless hard work but if you can go out on your own and hit a target distance you'll feel mighty pleased with yourself tomorrow night.

Honest, people will never beleive it till they try it, but its the best feeling in the world.

'Mate' sounds like a prize tosser.