Cycling UK Forum

mullinsm wrote: I'd recommend getting a lot of practice in...

definately! it would really ruin the trip coming back dead!

but have a year to prepare - will be getting rollers at the end of the month to increase my stamina, yes I could get a turbo trainer but i'm aiming more for long distance at steady speed and heart rate training which seems easier on a roller plus it's a quicker setup.

but yes! definately need training beforehand - I have family near the peak district so i'm planning numerous weekend trips away before next year.

I could probably stretch to 16 days if needed. Perhaps if there were bank hols around the time could do 2 weeks before and then go back to work on the monday i.e
friday I finish at 12:30 so say leave saturday 12th may (for example) two weeks off would mean coming back to work monday 27th which is a bank holiday so therefore making tuesday back to work day. meaning 15 days - 16 if I count the friday, finishing at 12:30 means most of the day is still free...ish

but that's just me I'm not wanting to screw an entire trip up on my account of not being flexible

where do you do your long sunday rides? I live in norwich but really not keen on riding with the clubs - all seems a bit too serious for me but would really like to start increasing my mileage.

also back to the beginning - French I can order beer in french so we're sorted there at least 2 weeks would really be my limit of taking time off work, they don't like to let us have too much fun so 2 weeks really is the max I could do.

as to the trailer, Yep would be nice to borrow one and see how it goes but I think i'll just buy the carry freedom and have some weekend testers so if you ever fancy some short trips this year I could probably do with the additional experience before hitting mountains....i mean we don't even have sizeable hills here!!

if your looking for an additional windger count me in

i'm still quite new to cycling so really looking to spread my wings with cycling in general let alone amazing trips! but for the record im 27, also from norfolk no kids but a job that likes to see me work away.

if you fancy giving a noob some pointers on long distance cycling i'd be a happy student. Really wanting to make next year insane with an end to end and LEJOG of my own.

out of interest do you do it with a tourer or road bike with support van etc. Mainly because i've only got the allez and currently thinking of getting a trailer to suit touring needs

I think the trouble comes in when people don't know what they should define their riding as I mean I like a 100 mile ride every so often is that touring? or I cycle to work should I get a hybrid etc... Cycling seems such a challenge getting into in that respect as some sections are quite interchangeable (above situations were hyperthetical )

anyway, wasn't meaning to be rude just one mans tour is another man sportive or even one mans long ride is another mans ride home....or woman

wasn't so much of a jibe if it came across as one i do whole heartidly apologise!

to be honest i hadn't actually looked what CTC stood for so missed that one

As I said though was merely an opinion I would go on to further defend myself but that could probably lead to lengthy discussions detracting from the OP. Sorry for any offence - moving on..

I must say this forum is very "pro-touring" orientated and any hint of touring in the OP means that lots of suggestions are geared solely along the lines of a touring bike.

Surely the audax option is a good one? a road geometry would be better for fitness riding comfort and having the ability to have racks and arches should serve the purpose of limited cycle touring - i'm guessing as a MTBer much of your current day out gear is in a good quality backpack? so upping to touring would surely be very dependant on how far you consider a tour

i'm no pro or expert but my wants are very similar to yours and i'd definately not go to the touring bike section in the LBS they just seem far too specialized for one aspect of riding.

I disagree that a road bike cannot be used for touring - perhaps not a full carbon job but sticking to your cannondale routes would still provide a good bike.

Yes I am slightly biassed as i'm going to be using my specialized allez for touring by getting a carry freedom trailer but the fact remains that the mainstay of my riding is fitness/convinience/sportives which would be horrible on a touring bike. I have a triple gearset that has a nice range (off a cycle cross) not the fastest gearing but is certainly confortable up a hill.

Just offering a different OPINION but i'd look to something like a ribble audax bike - it would seemingly tick all your boxes and a well equipped/geared one would be around £850 leaving enough for either panniers or a carry freedom (I'd go the trailer route, much easier to remove should you wish to go for normal riding)

I'm not really looking for SAT-NAV style mapping, sorry I should've been clearer all long distance routes will be prepplanned so the 705 with it's course folder sounds ideal.

as to recording, mick your sounding the same as me, I like keeping a diary of rides etc...bit of a statistic geek so having things available like HRM, cadence etc are all high on the "want" list

Krad wrote:Hello,

Just finish at university and now starting to think about jobs. I did my degree in Computing but also enjoy cycling wound how I might combine the two?

I also been thinking about what place would be best to relocate to for cycling? I enjoy cycle touring and love to have access to a train line that i can get my full load bike on. Would be great to find a job that would fit my cycling life style and IT interests too. Or find a company that has good shower and changing facility and cycle parking? If any one can point me in the direction of search terms or business to try that would be great.

come live in Norwich and work in Aviva doing something computer related (I don't work there just a suggestion) they have a thriving group of cyclists who do wednesday chain gang training, loads cycle to work in full lycra and have full changing washing facilities - also good perks for careers there.

Norwich as a whole has a busy train station that will take you anywhere and also 2 miles from the city and you're in the countryside giving nice options for gentle rides.

plus it's pretty flat so no problems with hills

ok well got a little pay out oon eone of those PPI reclaim jobbies and thinking about getting a cycle c omputer, but really a little lost on what to get.

Ideally i'll look at the £250 mark but obviously prefer to get the best option over the cheapest.

I would like to use it for touring so mapping would be cool but that only comes in on the 705 which is out of my price range I think :S

was looking at the edge 500 which says you can upload routes to it? anyone got one? is this very usufull as i'll be using it for routes that are completely new to me.

http://www.superdrug.com/superdrug/supe ... spromotion

would this be suitable?

LollyKat wrote:

Hudson1984 wrote:i'm definately one of those people that don't enjoy malt loaf...it smells amazing! but can't stomach the flavour, maybe I just need to try another one rather than just plain

I like the flavour of malt loaf but it gives me terrible indigestion. However I find fig rolls are great for a quick energy boost - you can easily carry a few in your pocket. Personally I prefer Tesco's own brand to Jacobs as they have more filling and less pastry.

hmm have to take alook in one of the 15 tescos that are local to me

I like the idea of making my own drink especially as I can adjust the glucose levels to suit the ride.
And adding something like fig rolls to longer rides to break up the flavours/mix solids with liquids

I am planning a 90 mile ride over the bank holiday so probably take two bottles of the (TESTED!) mix and a few fig rolls, ideally it will see me through

Deckie wrote:You can get larger quantities of Glucose at cheaper prices from home brew suppliers, just try to avoid being tempted by the rest of the produce or all the weight loss ideas go flying out of the window faster than Concorde!

The salt is a very serious ingredient - we have had the low salt message rammed down our throats for so long many people are afraid of the stuff. The truth is we would die without it! Our nervous system requires salt for the transmission of electrical signals. Loss of salt is as dangerous as dehydration. We're not talking about mixing a teaspoon of salt into your water bottle, just a small pinch to counter what you loose through perspiration.

haha definately! I used to brew beer so well versed in the temptation of the home brew shop....perhaps it's better to buy it online.

as with the salt I have more than likely too much anyway but will add a small pinch and hopefully we'll be getting somewhere

cheers all, very helpfull.

Now where do I find just glucose, surely it's not just a case of putting some sugar in my ribena

But yes in essence it seems better to stop using anything in the way of energy products for sub 20 milers and just suck it up and get fitter but for what I would consider longer rides, taking some of this mystery concoction should help keep me on the road and going over hills.

i'm definately one of those people that don't enjoy malt loaf...it smells amazing! but can't stomach the flavour, maybe I just need to try another one rather than just plain

must admit the deer that was by the roadside lastnight did look tempting

But in all seriousness, I generally have a pint of milk before bed (or after a ride) for the protein but just looking to fuel my rides.

Am I better off with squash/water and an energy bar? (or something similar to an energy bar that doesn't require me steering into rabits when i see them)

Ayesha wrote:Example.

Sleeping, 65 kCals/hr
Sitting, 70 kCals/hr
Walking, 300 kCals/hr
Cycling at 15 mph, 800 kCals/hr

Sleeping 7 hrs = 455
Sitting 16 hrs = 1120
Walking 1 hr = 300

Total 1875 kCals per day. Office dweller. Eat 1750.


Sleeping 7 hrs = 455
Sitting 11 hrs = 770
Walking 2 hrs = 600
Cycling 4 hours = 3200

Total 5025 kCals per day. 100km Brevet. Eat 3275 & lose 1/2 lb fat.

I just need to up my sleeping then and screw everything else

I never thought of it like you've out it which is daft, obviously what I eat has to go somewhere whether that is fuelling sleeping, sitting or my rides so thanks for that.

I guess what I need then is a low fat option or even nuetral option. Something that will keep energy up on rides without adding too heavily to calorie counts.

does anything like this exist? I mean i'm happy to stop using energy products for my 18 mile ride as from all the information you've all provided it seems that natural fitness will be better than taking energy supplements.

but I would still like to take something with me on say 50 mile rides or even my average 35 miler. So if there anything for this? should I tak squash to keep hydrated and a healthy snack? or do you have a good suggestion ayesha, you do seem to be the guru on this topic so anything you suggest i will at least consider as a good opinion to explore