Fat man on a bike Vs. The Ridgeway

phatboy

phatboy

phatboy

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Don't think that I have ever posted in here before but thought...hey why not.

Just before Christmas I decided that I was going to give myself a BIG challenge for charity cycling the 87 mile ridgeway trail

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BowlesysBikeRide

6 months and LOTS of training later and its one week to go.

Never been a gym nut or fitness lover so this is quite a big thing for a 6ft4 23 stone (in January) behemoth as my lovely self. Over the training period I have dropped nearly 3 stone, gone from a 40/42 waist to v comfy 38 and my body fat ratio has dropped from over 40% to 28% when I checked 2 weeks ago :D. That alone makes it worth while for me but add to that the £600 I have raised for MIND and Cancer Research UK, its a great thing :)

Not touting for sponsorship, just wanted to share something that to me is a life changing experience and I cannot wait for next weekend

Ta

Ben
 
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That's awesome, well done :)

All the best for the ride :cool:

(Take more intra-ride snacks with you than you think you'll need, the further towards the end you are the more your body will want them, avoid 'bonking' at all costs)
 
Thank you :) and also cheers for advice too, really appreciate it

Yeah got nuts, protein bars, bananas n that on list of "in the bag" stuff

Dropped a bit low on a few training rides n felt the after effects in form of horrific cramps and a migraine in one case. Hopefully understand a bit more when my body is making a proper request for an energy fix at a safe point now :)
 
Yeah, I wouldn't try anything new on the actual ride itself, just stuff you know that sits well with you after eating and continuing to ride.

Some additional electrolyte tabs (if they're not already on the list).

I usually use big or hard climbs as markers to make sure I've taken on fluid prior and also post along with some food. That or at half hour intervals because no matter how ravenous you are day to day strangely appetite does disappear on the bike. A variety of stuff can help as just eating bananas, harribo, chocolate for 4-5 hours will quickly get boring and stop you wanting to eat.

An energy gel too should always be in the saddle bag :)
 
you sound like an utter pro compared to me lol, all great advice so thanks again :)

We did the last 20-30 miles a month or so back and this end of the ride is going to be the hardest I think, seemed to be a 600ft climb in a matter of miles over by wendover towards the woods.....Which was nice!

Where in bucks are you based btw?
 
phatboy said:
you sound like an utter pro compared to me lol, all great advice so thanks again :)

We did the last 20-30 miles a month or so back and this end of the ride is going to be the hardest I think, seemed to be a 600ft climb in a matter of miles over by wendover towards the woods.....Which was nice!

Where in bucks are you based btw?
Click to expand...

I'm far from a pro! only been road riding since December but quite keen.

I'm in Aylesbury, so I usually head over that way for some hills (Whiteleaf, Kop, Aston Hill etc, you've also got Ashridge etc over that way too. Also some good climbs by closer to Bicester/Oxford with Waddesdon, Ashendon and Brill)

The more often you climb the less daunting they become, I learnt very early on climbs are all about pacing and maintaining a sustainable effort/output or you'll not reach the top with out blowing.

The Pedal Powered Sub Forum would be a good place for more advice.
 
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