Coast to Coast - for an amateur!

Egon · 16 Jun 2015 at 11:46

No I haven't, I did wonder last night whether I needed to raise the saddle.

Egon · 16 Jun 2015 at 12:33

Unexpectedly, cycling over the last 2 weeks has made me want a road bike... have loved the rides so far!

However I think my hybrid is probably best for the C2C.

Egon · 29 Jun 2015 at 15:33

1 week to go...

43 mile ride on Saturday which took me 4 hrs, admittedly not much in the way of uphill climbs, but it's still my longest ride to date and other than some sore legs the next day, I felt pretty good doing it.

Bring on next Monday!

2 things left to buy - Still need some decent shorts, could do with a decent backpack.

touch · 29 Jun 2015 at 15:49

Try to keep the weight on your back to a minimum. It'll start to hurt after a while.

A saddle bag for tools/spare tubes and a 'Tribag' (like this type) for phone/bars/gels will help.

Egon · 29 Jun 2015 at 15:57

Got a saddle bag already but I like the look of that tribag too.

Struggling to find a decent backpack that doesn't cost the earth and is comfortable, I don't plan to carry much in it mind you.

PermaBanned · 29 Jun 2015 at 17:24

Why not just get a handlebar bag? I think halfords have a few on sale.

Egon · 1 Jul 2015 at 20:15

Vonhelmet said:
£35 for decent bib shorts at Decathlon.

Now sure, you could buy 3 pairs of terrible shorts for that, but seriously, you'll thanks me at the end of day 3.

OK, so after a lot of looking around I ended up buying these bibshorts that von recommended a while ago. They arrived today, I ordered a large which at 6ft I thought would be fine, however I'm not sure if they're too small. Is it normal they give you a... well... a camel's toe?

arknor · 1 Jul 2015 at 20:47

Egon said:
OK, so after a lot of looking around I ended up buying these bibshorts that von recommended a while ago. They arrived today, I ordered a large which at 6ft I thought would be fine, however I'm not sure if they're too small. Is it normal they give you a... well... a camel's toe?

Should have got MTB shorts pal

Egon · 1 Jul 2015 at 20:52

I bought a cheap pair of them and tbh I could use them, but their padding isn't great.

arknor · 1 Jul 2015 at 20:56

Egon said:
I bought a cheap pair of them and tbh I could use them, but their padding isn't great.

you could always use some undershorts underneath them I guess for extra padding (basically cycling shorts designed to be worn as underwear)
I've got http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Endura-Mesh-Boxer-Padded-Undershort_44387.htm
and they are pretty comfortable under jeans, although if your wearing them I guess you might as well just wear regular shorts over them instead of cycling specific

or just use your cycling shorts with a camel toe as under shorts

Vonhelmet · 2 Jul 2015 at 20:03

Yeah, bib shorts can be a bit... graphic. But hey, if you're worried it's a problem then I think you've probably got other things to be happy about

Egon · 5 Jul 2015 at 21:09

Well, we're in Whitehaven, we've had our meal and now ready for tomorrow. Had to get some last minute rack and panniers after realising carrying a backpack for 3 days was going to be torture.

Weather here is fab right now, but that is supposed to change.

Egon · 8 Jul 2015 at 22:25

Well I did it! I'm back and home and surprisingly feeling OK.

We arrived in Sunderland at about 6pm today after what was a very cold, wet and windy start to the day. Climbing Rookhope and crossing the moors in what was awful weather was possibly the toughest part of the 3 days, but Whinlatter, Hartside, Nenthead and Blackhill were all very tough climbs and had me questioning what I had let myself in for.

For someone who had done barely any serious riding before 4 weeks ago, there's a real sense of achievement, I'm pretty chuffed with myself tbh. I'd recommend it to anybody thinking of doing it.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice and suggested kit to buy. It all came in very useful

Oh... and I noticed I am currently top of the OcUK strava leaderboard... That'll soon change tomorrow

touch · 8 Jul 2015 at 22:26

Egon said:
That'll soon change tomorrow

Not if you go and do some more miles

Vonhelmet · 8 Jul 2015 at 22:48

Well done!!

PermaBanned · 8 Jul 2015 at 22:50

Congrats! Hope you'll keep it up now?

FrenchTart · 8 Jul 2015 at 22:56

Nice work

Definitely make sure you keep it up. In 12 months time you'll be knocking out 24 hour C2Cs without too much effort

Egon · 9 Jul 2015 at 14:05

touch said:
Not if you go and do some more miles

Ha, my legs say no! They're a bit sore this morning.

PermaBanned said:
Congrats! Hope you'll keep it up now?

FrenchTart said:
Nice work Definitely make sure you keep it up. In 12 months time you'll be knocking out 24 hour C2Cs without too much effort

I do intend to carry on riding, I've really enjoyed it. Next step is to get my first road bike... However I can't see myself being any more than a casual rider, so doing the C2C in one day is pretty unlikely for me I think. But never say never.