Cycling UK Forum

boink wrote:Don't overdo it early and put yourself off. Build slowly over successive rides going up in 5 or ten miles increments every other weekend, carrying a bit of stuff as you go. I did a 50 to Ludlow from Staffs that nearly killed me beacuse I'd never done more than 12 before that..so a bit of a slow build up is a good idea IMO. Surprising how achievable 70 + miles a day is at a steady pace, with the odd tea and cake stop thrown in. You're in the right place for advice, as I was in your shoes some years ago. People like Mick F have a ton of great advice on routes out of Cornwall and much, much more.

I did a recommended CTC route - which did take you miles off course but to some amazing hostels, including Welsh Bicknor and Carbisdale Castle. Carrying a bit extra and camping means you can go a bit more direct I guess. More people involved means more complexity and sometimes more friction..but can be great too.

I did mine on a 20 odd year old Galaxy with some parts upgrades. Great bike and can still be picked up for 3 or 400. My mate used an Edinburgh Coop 'Revolution tourer. Low end and aluminium, but absolutely fine. Mick's done it on a Chopper. For a decent priced steel tourer, Spa cycles are great I think.

Here's a link to the blog my mate James and I wrote at the time. One of hundreds out there that offer insights and alternatives. http://blazingpedals.blogspot.com/

All the best. It's a great experience.

NB. Get a saddle you like, bars you like and some cream for the old undercarriage.

thirdcrank wrote:Essentially, it's a matter of being able to sit on a bike and pedal for as long as it takes, day after day, rain or shine till the distance is covered. Once you have reached a basic level of fitness, IMO most of this is dealing with what's going on in your head: the little voice saying "This is stupid."

Get used to the idea of distance riding. For most adults new to cycling or returning after many years, the first hurdle is the sore backside. This comes from sitting on those large muscles and making them work. You may dream that the solution is some saddle padded to be as soft as a cherub's behind but it isn't: riding is the only cure and if you persist it will soon pass.

I'd suggest meticulously keeping a diary of all your rides and all the occasions when you thought better of it. You will either be encouraged by your progress or you will realise that a fortnight of distance riding is not your thing.

One concern for me here is the "lots of friends" comment. Riding with the right group can turn distance riding into something really good but the wrong group is purgatory.

It's a common experience that the organisers of things like coach trips are let down by people who put their names down without thinking it through. That will apply here and infinitely more so. Try and do some of your preparatory rides as a group: at the very least, that should give you an idea of who's committed. Even if somebody turns up at the start, it's not much help if they are totally unfit. Then, group riding means just that, not one show off always riding ahead and waiting with others tailed off the back.

You need to agree group riding policies that all have signed up to. eg What happens if a rider has a problem? Riding time is easily lost and not made up by riding faster, so, breaks need to be kept to a minimum and agreed. A five minute break in every hour of an eight hour day is "only" 40 minutes. If a group of twelve riders each expects to call their own timeouts, then in an extreme case twelve five minute breaks mean no movement for a whole hour.

As you get used to riding greater distances, your experience will grow quickly and people on here will be able to help with queries

From the outset, get used to eating properly during your rides to avoid "hunger knock" AKA the bonk. Ditto hydration. There's been plenty about both those posted n here.

All the best with this: if you all stick to it you'll have the foundations of a new cycling club of by then experienced riders

Bonefishblues wrote:

aneledrazzit wrote:I'm not doing it soon. I'm thinking maybe next year. It gives me time to train so by then I wouldn't be "inexperienced." I understand that it is a crazy thing to want to do, but I want to do it for my friend.

Then you have plenty of time, and a 14-16 day schedule's eminently do-able. What's your bike budget at the moment?