Coast to Coast - for an amateur!

Egon

Egon

Egon

Soldato
Joined
9 Jan 2003
Posts
6,801
Location
Darlington
So, I'm planning on doing the coast to coast (Whitehaven to Sunderland) in about 6 weeks (I was only asked on Monday). I bought a bike last summer in a cycle to work scheme with the aim of cycling more.... I think it's fair to say I haven't got my £600 out of it yet!

It's a Boardman MX Comp (hybrid) - this one here to be exact http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes-and-classic-bikes/boardman-mx-comp-bike

So, I'm looking for advice. We're planning on doing it in 3 days, so as not to be too strenuous for non-serious cyclists. But I'm lacking in equipment, I have the bike and a helmet and that's about it... I have no idea what I really need to invest in. So hence the reason for my post, this is the start f my research! What would you consider the essentials and what would you consider good purchases but non-essentials. I've considered the following:

  • Water bottle
  • Spare inner tube
  • Some sort of tool kit (help needed here)
  • Gloves
  • Clothing - but what?
  • erm ???

Any help greatly appreciated. As you can see, I need it!
 
I'd get two bottles on the bike and you'll need a saddle bag to store a multitool, two spare tubes and some tyre levers.

Practice changing your tubes. Several times. Many times I've stopped on my commute to help folks who have all the kit but are stumped when it comes to actually doing it.

A repair kit is a good idea but Park Tools self adhesive patches are easier to use by the side of the road.

Get some decent padded shorts and ride with them before you do the big ride; if they chafe then you'll be in trouble for three days.

Gloves aren't mandatory for riding but they are great for falling off.
 
water bottle x2
innertube x2

toolkit personally would just bring my usual ride tools.
almost everything on the bike will be hex screws but you could get an all in one cycling tool like the swiss army knife for cycling.

maybe a few spare chain links and a chain tool

gloves pfft
clothing you'll feel the wind most likely once you get towards Newcastle


Bare in mind most the cycling friendly pubs and cafes along the c2c route will be out of the way, near Newcastle some of them are actually on farms etc and you could ride past and never know so might be an idea to make postcode notes of where they are or just ask a passing cyclist when your in need of a rest stop.

make sure to visit pedalling squares once you hit newcastle/gateshead
http://www.pedallingsquares.cc/cafe.html


might see you on strava flyby on the hadrians cycleway segment if I go for a ride on that day :P
 
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spare tubes
tyre levers
pump

padded bibshorts
chamois cream
baselayer (depending on weather)
cycling jersey
waterproof jacket
arm warmers
leg warmers

food: energy bars, gels, etc (you need to try this stuff out beforehand and make sure none of the stuff you choose gives you any tummy problems)
 
Make sure the bike is well fitted and comfortable for you. Something that is barely noticeable over 10 miles could become excruciating by the end of day 3.

Also make sure the bike is in good working order before you set off. Check it over yourself if you know what you're doing, or get a cycling savvy mate to do it, or just take it to a bike shop and ask them to take a look.

Six weeks takes you to mid-July, so fingers crossed the weather will be good. Get some gel padded bib shorts and a proper cycling jersey. Decathlon or Wiggle are good for decent stuff that isn't too expensive. As touch has said if the weather is unseasonably cold then a base layer will be a good bet. A waterproof jacket can be had for £10 or so at either of those places and you'll be glad of it if the heavens open.

In terms of bags and tools and pumps, I'd recommend Topeak or Lezyne stuff. I have Topeak Aero Wedge bags, and I have a Topeak Hexus II multi tool. On one bike I have a Lezyne Pressure Drive pump and on another I have a Topeak Pocket Rocket DX. I'd recommend the Lezyne pump, as it has a little tube to connect to the valve, rather than having to fit the pump directly. An alternative is a CO2 inflator.

Don't rely on puncture repairs kits - take at least two spare tubes. Have puncture repair kits as a fallback, by all means, but it's much quicker to just replace the tube and bin the old one or patch it at home if you can be arsed.

The best advice I can give is to take your time. 40odd miles a day is not a huge amount, so take it slowly and pace yourself. Better to take your time and make it there in one piece and actually enjoy yourself doing it than to flog yourself for 5 miles and then have another 35+ to do when you're already dying.
 
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Build up to your distance. If you're going to be doing 40-45 mile days you should be confident that you can do at least 30 in your training. Get out a couple of evenings in the week and do longer rides at the weekend. Start out small and build up. If you're not riding at all at the moment then 5 miles at a time might be hard enough, so you need to build up to the longer distances.

There's training plans for this kind of thing on British Cycling and bikeradar and the like. I'll try to find something for you when I'm at a computer rather than on my phone.
 
How much riding have you done, out of interest?

If it's virtually none then you'll need to get out almost immediately and start riding most days (4-5 days a week). Go for a 5 mile loop to start with by all means but you'll also need to increase your distances relatively quickly.

How many days are you doing the c2c route in (basically I'm asking how many miles per day you'll ride)?
 
I think it's fair to say virtually none, I'm not an enthusiast and haven't been on my bike since last September/October, I only really use it for occasional family rides even though the intention when I bought it was otherwise! I think the longest ride I've done is about 20k a couple of summers ago, which I didn't find too bad.

I'm not unfit, although I have definitely been fitter, I play football weekly and run occasionally, but don't cycle.

We're planning to do it over 3 days, so 45m a day (so about 70k)... quite a bit longer than 20k!
 
Ah, that should be quite doable though you'll probably be kind of saddle sore towards the end :)

Get a few decent rides under your belt before then and you'll be set. Try doing 35/40 miles two days in a row (e.g. Sat and Sun) some time before then too.

Make sure you get plenty of rest in the couple of days leading up to your c2c. No major exercise (though extremely light stuff is okay), decent amounts of food and sleep.
 
Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles and PlanetX are all good. PX are most likely to have things like electrolyte tabs, bottles, inner tubes, etc at decent prices. Wiggle and CRC will have a better selection of tools and such.
 
Oh, what about footwear? Is it worth getting cycling shoes and clipped pedals (is that the correct term) or is that overkill?

Sorry, I have questions popping up in my head every minute at the moment! :)
 
They are worth getting but they do require some adjustment (which you've got plenty of time to do).

The only thing that would make me worried about getting them is that saddle height and position becomes more important with them and if you don't have it set up right you're more likely to injure yourself when you go on these long rides. If you are getting a bike fit or have a shop/person that can help you set them all up correctly then I'd go for it.
 
I wouldn't ride without proper clipless pedals and shoes these days, but it is extra expense (£50 minimum for pedals and shoes) and it will take some practise. It's not as essential as, say, decent shorts.
 
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