Coast to Coast - for an amateur!

Egon · 9 Jun 2015 at 11:50

Quick update....

Been out on 3 rides so far,

11 miles
11 miles
13 miles

Each ride a little easier than the last and building up slowly, but tbh they were quite comfortable. Still need some gear, so far only bought:

*a new pump as the last one just didn't cut
*decent lights (for being seen)

To limit my spends, as this could turn out to be quite expensive, I plan to borrow a few things, so my essential items list is currently:

*Shorts - I have a sore arse already!
*Bottle and holder
*Gloves
*Bar ends
*2x Inner Tubes
*Multitool
*Vest perhaps, but not sure whether to bother.

touch · 9 Jun 2015 at 12:03

I'd get those tubes up to the top of the list.
Your new pump is pretty much useless if you dont have spare tubes with you.

Vonhelmet · 9 Jun 2015 at 12:04

What do you mean by vest? If you mean a jersey, get one. If you mean a base layer, you can probably live without if the weather is decent.

Egon · 9 Jun 2015 at 13:33

touch said:
I'd get those tubes up to the top of the list.
Your new pump is pretty much useless if you dont have spare tubes with you.

Will do, the list wasn't necessarily in order as such... more a semi order

Vonhelmet said:
What do you mean by vest? If you mean a jersey, get one. If you mean a base layer, you can probably live without if the weather is decent.

That's what I was thinking... OK, without wanting to be a total scrimp merchant, what would you recommend shorts and vest wise that is lowish/mid range, but still reasonable i.e. bang for buck ( or miles for buck

) I'm trying to keep the ever increasing costs down a bit.

Was also thinking of baggy shorts rather than the tight shorts... don't think I'm quite ready for that yet

touch · 9 Jun 2015 at 13:44

Wiggle have cheap base layers at the moment:
£5 short sleeve
£7 long sleeve

I have a short sleeve one. It's nothing fancy but it does the job.

Not sure what the best value shorts are just now - possibly the ones in decathlon? I'll wait to see if anybody else has any suggestions.
Dont get baggy shorts though. If you must, get some proper cycling shorts and wear baggy shorts over the top but even then you can still get seams and folds of material getting in the way.

FrenchTart · 9 Jun 2015 at 13:46

I really like the Wiggle short sleeve base layer. I might have to get another couple.

Egon · 9 Jun 2015 at 15:36

touch said:
Wiggle have cheap base layers at the moment:
£5 short sleeve
£7 long sleeve

I have a short sleeve one. It's nothing fancy but it does the job.

Not sure what the best value shorts are just now - possibly the ones in decathlon? I'll wait to see if anybody else has any suggestions.
Dont get baggy shorts though. If you must, get some proper cycling shorts and wear baggy shorts over the top but even then you can still get seams and folds of material getting in the way.

Thanks for that, they are now added to my shopping list

Spec me some shorts next please

Vonhelmet · 9 Jun 2015 at 16:59

£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.

George Hincapie · 9 Jun 2015 at 20:27

I've done this (Whitehaven to Tynemouth). Easy.

Get some Specialised Armadillos or similar and you're good to go.

Egon · 9 Jun 2015 at 22:06

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.

Cheers, they look good thx.

George Hincapie said:
I've done this (Whitehaven to Tynemouth). Easy.

Get some Specialised Armadillos or similar and you're good to go.

You haven't read the OP or the thread have you?

FrenchTart · 9 Jun 2015 at 22:11

Indeed. Easy is relative. That said, I'm sure you can do it

George Hincapie · 9 Jun 2015 at 22:41

Egon said:
You haven't read the OP or the thread have you?

I read the OP. When I did the C2C it was in my pre-Road Cycling days on a Carrera Kraken. I wasn't massively fit then either

George Hincapie · 9 Jun 2015 at 22:42

FrenchTart said:
Indeed. Easy is relative. That said, I'm sure you can do it

It should be over 3 days. As long as he's not carrying the kitchen sink on his back/in panniers

Vonhelmet · 9 Jun 2015 at 22:49

I'm planning on doing it in one day next year, and I expect it to be quite hard work... Particularly if I go the route I've plotted out which takes in a cat 2 up the highest A road in the country.

xb8browney · 9 Jun 2015 at 22:59

I'm jealous, it's definitely something I want to do.

FrenchTart · 10 Jun 2015 at 08:01

George Hincapie said:
It should be over 3 days. As long as he's not carrying the kitchen sink on his back/in panniers

Agreed, over 3 days it shouldn't be that hard - though once again it's all relative. I'm sure it will feel hard for the OP.

You do make a good point though...

@Egon. Definitely definitely do a practice ride whilst fully loaded with everything you intend to carry. Be sure to make it relatively long and with a few hills. After you do that, go back and remove all the stuff you thought you needed but now realise you don't

Egon · 10 Jun 2015 at 10:41

I'm looking forward to it, I think the first day is going to be challenging, but yeah, spread over 3 days it should be doable for us. The posts in this thread so far have been encouraging, thanks

I don't plan to carry much, small back pack with a change of clothes for the evening, plus the essentials as already listed and that's about it.

We've got a 40mile ride planned for the week before, cycling a circular from Darlington to Hartlepool. I'm building the distances up slowly and I'm planning a 20m ride this weekend. Most of all, I'm enjoying it, the evening rides have been relaxing and I've been needing something to motivate me into improving my fitness and diet so it's win win really!

George Hincapie · 10 Jun 2015 at 19:30

Get in the gear you want to climb the hill in at the bottom of the climb and establish a rhythm you can stick to. You just want to get to the top, don't try and break any records

Good luck.

Egon · 16 Jun 2015 at 11:16

Another update for those interested in following my progress:

I've purchased a fairly cheap set of gear from Wiggle - jersey, shorts, gloves and glasses - which make me feel less of a noob, but do genuinely enhance the riding experience. Happy with everything, but need still a proper set of cycling shorts for the big event.

I've clocked a couple of 20 miles rides now, I'm finding my fitness has improved (I've dropped 4 pounds) and I'm getting faster too. Every ride I'm finding I can push myself a little further/harder/faster. I've also tackled a few hills... this is the worrying part, because I'm bloody knackered on anything too steep.

I'm finding my thighs have a very mild constant ache in them now, doesn't it affect my riding at all though, it's just my legs telling me the ride last night was tough! Although last night it hurt a little bit on the inside leg behind the knee... not had that before. Makes me wonder if I'm over doing it or my riding position is poor.

Here's my profile on strava so you can see what I've done and offer any advice on future rides... if you can be bothered

https://www.strava.com/athletes/5851704

FrenchTart · 16 Jun 2015 at 11:30

If you're getting knee pain it's usually down to saddle height/position. Have you had a bike fit of any kind?