Training for a long trek - whats the best technique

[Mattie]

A bit of hiking is a great way to build strength in your legs, if you have any trails around your way. I am lucky round here because we have miles of cliff paths along the coast. Terrific for low impact all weather training. Also a pleasant way to get some exercise in.

I find that cycling is fairly easy compared to running or hiking so you have to do more of it to get the same benefit. Sorry if I have just complicated things !

[snibgo]

I agree that "just do it" or "do something simpler first" or "don't do a tour with those constraints" are alternative answers.

Hopefully, we haven't frightened off the OP, who might come back and say, "Gosh, I hadn't thought of that," or "I've arranged to cycle with a group from A to B over Z days, and that's what I have to do," or something.

[tonythompson]

Just finished a 2929 Km tour and due to work pressure I was unable to get on my bike for 4 months prior to the tour. So was not as fit as I wanted to be. However, by taking it easy the first few days I was soon up to between 70 &105 Km a day and still plenty of day light to pitch camp. I'm 64 and was ridding a very loaded bike.

So don't worry too much, just get as much ridding in as possible and when you start, ride well within your capacity so that you arn't wrecked at the end of each day. I personally rarely have a destination for each day but keep going until I feel ready to stop - not very scientific but suites me

Good luck

[nspire]

.................... My eventual target is 100km per day on a fully loaded touring bike.......................

Why? Is it a competition?

+1

Long trek? It sounds like you already think its some sort of trial rather than something to enjoy.

Al

It is a long trek - London to Capetown. I'm looking forward to it (but also confess to an element of fear) I want to give it the best chance of success. It all comes down to training and preparation. Currently have knee issues which I put down to lack of training. See http://www.london2capetown.net

[nspire]

Hi Dan

I am also in the planing stage of my "Dreaming Tour", a ride from Darwin to Perth avoiding highways where reasonably possible, so a distance of 5,000 km. I have three months long service leave (thanks to Mother England for this throw back) so have a reasonably amount of time for the ~5,000 km. For planning purposes, that is to give me a rough idea of time required, possible meet up points with my partner etc I am planning around 50 km a day for the off-bitumen sections (read gravel, sand bogs, corrugations, river crossing, carrying lots of water etc), 75 km for days which are a mix of dirt and bitumen roads and 100 km for bitumen days. That said I am factoring in a reasonable amount of "off bike" to allow for "hey this is a nice waterhole to share with the freshies" days.

I have done to many walks/tours based around tight schedules to want to avoid that if I can.

Andrew

Sounds excellent. Good luck! and enjoy.

[nspire]

Whats the best way to prepare for such a trip?

I suppose that in one way it is sensible and practical to prepare physically for a trip that has defined mileages, destination points, time limits, flights back home etc. And even if you didn't set out to do a certain time and distance, fixed flight tickets and holiday entitlement would probably do it for you.

Having said that, I share the unease of some of the posters above. Surely the best way to "prepare" is to go on the trip? And in any case how do you "prepare" for the "preparation"? Is not the best thing about cycling that while doing one thing (viewing the scenery, reaching one's hotel) another thing is achieved - physical fitness, well being and a sense of satisfaction? And as one trip is achieved, another comes into view. Perhaps I am trying to say that the physical achievement shouldn't be central to the preparation, even though one has to be aware of what one is letting oneself in for. One post you rarely see on here is along the lines of: what do I really need to know to appreciate what I am going to see, which books should I read, what languages should I learn?

There is a danger perhaps that it is over before it begins. Is this not what people mean when they say that life isn't meant to be a rehearsal?

NB This post was not meant to query the wisdom of some physical preparation, just reflect on the philosophy of it.

Thanks for the detailed repsonse!
The only real concern I have is physical - right knee pain - hence the advice on training.
http://www.london2capetown.net

[LANDSURFER74]

Of course the right choice of bike is very important for a ride of this distance ........ BMW 1200 GS .... Ideal ....

[nspire]

:) Of course the right choice of bike is very important for a ride of this distance ........ BMW 1200 GS .... Ideal ....

It has crossed my mind

[531colin]

The only real concern I have is physical - right knee pain - hence the advice on training.

There is loads on here about knee pain...have a search.

It seems to me that "Winkeladvokat" has some specialist knowledge...http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42781&p=345231&hilit=+vastus#p345231

I would be very careful with exercise if you have a swollen knee, I think thats how I tore a cartilage.

[boblo]

Knees are pesky little blighters... I've been riding for years and have completed some quite long tours (longest ~4000miles). This year I had an attack of ITB in my right knee for no apparent reason. We were 40miles from home on the tandem when I started getting knee pain and I rode the 40miles back. That was followed by 2 months sitting on my ar$e and visiting the physio.

The only thing I conclude is, listen to your body. You can't always cycle through it and grin and bear it...

[nspire]

The only real concern I have is physical - right knee pain - hence the advice on training.

There is loads on here about knee pain...have a search.

It seems to me that "Winkeladvokat" has some specialist knowledge...http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42781&p=345231&hilit=+vastus#p345231

I would be very careful with exercise if you have a swollen knee, I think thats how I tore a cartilage.

Thanks. this has been very helpful. I have no knee swelling and the article on the benefits of squats looks like it might just be the direction I should investigate further.