Preparing for a loooooong ride.

Ben M

Ben M

Ben M

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Joined
17 Nov 2007
Posts
10,278
Location
Chester/ Bristol uni
Hey guys and girls.

This summer, me and two friends are cycling from Bristol to Strasbourg. We'll be covering around 700 miles. We're hoping to cover around 70 miles a day, so, depending on ferry times, it'll take us ten or eleven days.

As far as training is concerned, I am going to be trying to ride as much as possible between now and then, with some nice long day rides. I'm hoping that I'll be able to lean down a bit over the course of training and the riding itself. I've got some whey, and I've ordered some creatine from mp.co.uk I was planning on using these, along with oats, to have in shakes after long training rides, and on tour at the end of each day, as a recovery drink. What are your opinions on this? I know that shakes aren't miracle potions, but I'm hoping that they'll allow me to train consecutive days over the summer.

Any other advice is most welcomed, I'm sure that we have some old cycling hands out there somewhere.

The ride is for charity, specifically for Help for Heroes. So, of course, I can't really post a thread without a small plug. If you'd like to know more about the ride, we can be found on facebook, just joining the group as a sign of support would be much appreciated. We also have a justgiving page where you can make donations, there is also some info on the trip there for if you aren't on facebook.

Facebook page
Justgiving page
 
I would say your best bet is to ask on one of the biking forums. You should get some good answers there on how to prep yourself and look after yourself on the tour.

Sounds like it will be an awesome experience thats for sure! lol, I can't imagine doing that, i seem to struggle to get my route down to less that 1:30 for the 20 miles that it is (roads & dirt tracks)!
 
I'd make sure you're eating enough to be able to keep up the training which it looks like you've considered, but what's the creatine for? (I'm not fully clued up on it, I thought it stores water in your muscles and allows you to lift more weights?).
Also make sure you get a cormfortable bike seat and helmet if you're gonna be riding that long :p.
 
Remember the Vaseline or you'll light a fire in your pants :p

Also I wouldn't think the creatine would be appropriate? I'd agree with The Craig's explanation of it. It's more for looking bigger and lifting bigger than endurance, also it means you have to drink a lot more which could be an issue whilst riding all day.

The whey and oats is a good idea, but doesn't negate the need for rest (it will help though).

Good luck to you mate and I hope you have a brilliant time :)
 
Jonny L said:
Remember the Vaseline or you'll light a fire in your pants :p

Also I wouldn't think the creatine would be appropriate? I'd agree with The Craig's explanation of it. It's more for looking bigger and lifting bigger than endurance, also it means you have to drink a lot more which could be an issue whilst riding all day.
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Indeed, I already have a burning bush, so I don't want to add to that! Vaseline and nappy cream are the orders of the day I think!

leaskovski said:
I would say your best bet is to ask on one of the biking forums. You should get some good answers there on how to prep yourself and look after yourself on the tour.

Sounds like it will be an awesome experience thats for sure! lol, I can't imagine doing that, i seem to struggle to get my route down to less that 1:30 for the 20 miles that it is (roads & dirt tracks)!
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Indeed, I shall be starting a thread on a biking forum which I frequent, I just thought that I'd cover all of the bases (and ocuk has a nice big audience for my oh so subtle plug :p )

We're really looking forwards to it, and are already thinking of one next year!

The Craig said:
I'd make sure you're eating enough to be able to keep up the training which it looks like you've considered, but what's the creatine for? (I'm not fully clued up on it, I thought it stores water in your muscles and allows you to lift more weights?).
Also make sure you get a cormfortable bike seat and helmet if you're gonna be riding that long :p.
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I'll be putting in as many miles on the saddle as I can between now and leaving for reasons such as these, hopefully it'll all be perfectly set up by the time that we leave!

With regards to taking creatine monohydrate, from my research into it, it increases the amount of creatine (which is a product of one of the stages of respiration) in the body. Which thus gives you more energy. So would be good to replenish, and increase the levels of it ready for tomorrow.

But, if as you say, it makes you rather thirsty, then I think that I'll keep to using it post-rides in training rather than taking it with me. I'm a thirsty bugger anyway, so i think that it'd get excessive!

Thanks for the words of support guys, they are much appreciated. Most of our friends think we are mad. Admittedly they are of the female variety, and aren't really likely to get the doing it for a physical challenge side.
 
I wouldn't think the distances would too big a concern, are there any climbs en route? My main concern would be making sure you build up your leg muscles to cope with the burn your going to get on a steep incline.
 
marl said:
What sort of distances are you doing at the moment?
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errr... two miles to uni...

did a 20k on an excercise bike today. The long road rides commence after I get my bike.

lakitu said:
I wouldn't think the distances would too big a concern, are there any climbs en route? My main concern would be making sure you build up your leg muscles to cope with the burn your going to get on a steep incline.
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There are likely to be a few. I'll be doing some squats etc. between now and then to help with that.

MikeHunt79 said:
Just cycle loads, and don't eat loads just before cycling as it makes you feel ill! :eek:

Good luck. :)
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Cheers =]
 
I'm sure you have this sorted but I would recommend wear a good pair of cycling shorts otherwise that will really but a spanner in the works.
 
Look at chamois creams, could save you from some nasty sores.

Post ride, I neck a bottle of milkshake. Pay for the fancy For Goodness Shake, or go for good old Yazoo or Friji
 
Ben M said:
errr... two miles to uni...

did a 20k on an excercise bike today. The long road rides commence after I get my bike.

Oh dear - thats not a lot considering what you are planning.

I'd forget about the exercise bike, it doesn't relate to road cycling. You need to get on the road and get get 100's if not 1000's of miles into those legs!

Its also vitally important you get a well set up bike and decent shorts and cycling shoes. Correct position on the bike along with proper kit can make the difference between a comfortable and an agonising ride. I'd suggest you go to a specialist shop as they should be able to help you.

Also learn how to maintain your bike and complete basic repairs such as fixing a puncture.
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Only thing I can add is to emphasise how much you need to get a bike sorted and get riding sharpish! This is a big undertaking!

A very good cause though, just made a donation for you :)
 
andi said:
Only thing I can add is to emphasise how much you need to get a bike sorted and get riding sharpish! This is a big undertaking!

A very good cause though, just made a donation for you :)
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Thank you very much indeed =]

The bikes are in the shop at the mo, getting racks lights etc fitted.

marl said:
Oh dear - thats not a lot considering what you are planning.

I'd forget about the exercise bike, it doesn't relate to road cycling. You need to get on the road and get get 100's if not 1000's of miles into those legs!

Its also vitally important you get a well set up bike and decent shorts and cycling shoes. Correct position on the bike along with proper kit can make the difference between a comfortable and an agonising ride. I'd suggest you go to a specialist shop as they should be able to help you.

Also learn how to maintain your bike and complete basic repairs such as fixing a puncture.
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I have my last exam on wednesday, and will be getting my bike later this week. After then I can start to clock up the road miles. I'm not a member of a gym at home, so it'll all be road miles back home. While I'm at uni I will be doing some cardio work on the bikes, not as a substitute for riding, but for general CV fitness.

As for basic repairs, all of us know how to look after a bike, one of the guys is reading mechanical engineering!

Kit wise, our LBS which we are buying kit from will sort us out.
 
I would love to do this one day, a keen cyclist but even for me 70 miles a day would be a killer even for a seasoned pro, doing that sort of work will result in simple injuries that will slow you down and thus taking you longer, glad you are doing it for a great cause but be wary of it taking longer than expected.
 
I think you need to plan more rest and fewer miles into that thing. 70 miles a day? Blimey. I don't want to be a doomsayer but you must must must train and work out exactly what you can handle.

My bloke's a seasoned rider, cycles to work daily, 6 miles or so each way, come whatever weather. He happily undertakes long rides for leisure, drinks well throughout, is careful with sun cream and keeps himself nourished.

BUT last night I was with him in A&E, he was being given a drip because he'd been feeling sick all of Sunday after a long ride with a housemate Friday afternoon (35 miles) and another ride with me on Saturday (45 miles). Likely cause was heat exhaustion, and left without treatment (he was unable to keep food & liquids down) it might have become heat stroke, and that's pretty nasty - CAN be fatal.

He felt perfectly fine after each ride, it was the morning after the second one he fell ill. So you can't always tell when you've overdone it until it's too late.

This is with your typical hybrid bike. 700c x 32mm tyres, solid frame, flat handlebars, not the lightest of things. It MAY be easier on a proper lightweight road bike. But marginally, especially if you haven't trained up to it extensively.
 
We have spoken to a few "seasoned pros" and they are the people telling us to push for more each day.

Last year one of the other two did a tour in North France, and he was doing 55-65 miles a day on a hardtail mountainbike. So we're pretty confident that we can manage what we have planned.
 
cheets64 said:
I would love to do this one day, a keen cyclist but even for me 70 miles a day would be a killer even for a seasoned pro.
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70 miles on the road as long as you're not climbing the Alps is nothing really, if you're not going at race pace and to a "seasoned pro" would barely register as warmed up. A slow pace with an average of 14mph for 5 hours is barely moving, but if the OP is only currently riding 2 miles to Uni then good luck :p
 
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