Noob saying hi with questions :)

[Rob87]

Evening all,
Long story short I made a bet with a friend that I could cycle from sunderland to leeds about 89miles.
I have been training in the gym (3 days excercise bike 2 days upper body/leg day) 5 days a week.
Thing is i don't have the bike yet, being picked up in 2 weeks, the ride is on hune 11th so only excersion I know is on a gyms bike.

Here's the thing, after 2 months of training I have noticed a dull pain in my left hip, Im only 28! Could this be down to naff geometry of gym bikes?

Not a cyclist but have fallen in love with the idea with a view to commute 40miles a day. Iltimate goal is a JoGLE.

Anyways hope to learn more about this wonderful sport/past time n' hopefuly even seeing some of you on the trails.

Take care and thanks.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Buy a second hand cheap bike £40and ditch the gym bike.
Ride 20 miles every other day for two weeks.
Take your sandwhiches some water bottles.
Don't ride for more than two hours at a time and get off bike to eat and drink, drink a bottle an hour on bike.

Even school kids can do this, hardly a bet.

[531colin]

... Here's the thing, after 2 months of training I have noticed a dull pain in my left hip, Im only 28! Could this be down to naff geometry of gym bikes?...

All you have to do is get your ass in the right place relative to the pedals. Go here http://wheel-easy.org.uk/ride-calendar.html and download "bike set up" for my basic guide.
Cyclists fall prey to all sorts of aches and pains, but hip pain is not one of the usual ones. I would recommend you see a physiotherapist. Muscle pain is treatable, if its a joint issue that could stop you in your tracks.

[Mick F]

Hi,
Buy a second hand cheap bike £40and ditch the gym bike.
Ride 20 miles every other day for two weeks.
Take your sandwhiches some water bottles.
Don't ride for more than two hours at a time and get off bike to eat and drink, drink a bottle an hour on bike.

Yep.
Sounds like good advice.

[Rob87]

Thanks for the replies people. Fetting bike this friday now so will ditch gym bike for sure.
Aye it is a joint paint so shall see how it goes uaong an actual bike (its a trek 3 if that makes any odds) n if it doesnt go away then yup, zimmer time.

Also I know it's not a great distance in bike terms but everyone whose bet against me seems to think it is (none cyclists ofcourse). Might be easy money this .

But money isnt the aim the aim is to maintaine fitness and do the odd challenge here n there.

Thanks again people.

[AJ101]

Silly question but are you stretching after rides?
Hamstring stretches, quad stretches and pigeon stretches should all help keep you looser around the mid section where you are getting the pain

[old_windbag]

When I started out Rob87 I kept setting myself little challenges in terms of mileage. My bike was a hybrid bike weighing about 27lbs, not a racing bike. Anyway my first big challenge, was north shields to morpeth and back( 36 mls ). This was fine, no issues. My next challenge was north shields to warkworth and back, unfortunately I decided, feeling fit at the turning point, to continue to Alnwick . I ended off with hip pain for the last 40mls and the total of 77mls though making me happy was a very painful one. I raised my saddle about 5-10mm at home and never experienced that hip pain again. So small position changes can have big effects. But its using the bike for real that finds the fit issues/pressure points and all the little tweaks you need. I think you'll be fine, as others have said just break it down into chunks, mileage or time, and eat and drink well. Enjoy it, its a nice feeling when you complete a challenge.

[53x13]

Absolutely get out of the gym! Buy any cheap bike on gumtree, ride it three /four times a week, gradually increasing your mileage each time you go out. Start off at 20 miles, then step up gradually. You'll then be able to sell your 'starter' bike for not much less than you paid for it and buy a 'proper' bike which your new fitness will love!

I never met anyone got good aerobic fitness or endurance in the gym.. Joint/muscle pain is normal when starting cycling, it WILL go away! When I got back into cycling a few years ago the first six months were tough, sore shoulders, knees, neck, but after that my body adjusted and now I cycle like an old pro

[Stradageek]

Well done you for taking it on!

89 miles is excellent and will be a serious achievement

[eileithyia]

you can do it, split into short chunks; Breakfast: Ride 20/25 miles to 11's cafe stop, tea/coffee/cake/toast. Ride 20/25 miles to Lunch, light lunch. Ride 20/25 miles to 3's, again repeat of 11's, remaining miles to destination..... that way you are only riding to each stop / refuel point. carry some emergency food, spare clothes and waterproof.
Ride bike beforehand to ensure it is 'bedded' in and get a pre-ride service to adjust anything that may have slackened off.

Word of warning; daily 40 mile commutes are hard.. I Know i have done 36 mile ones... they take a fair chunk out of your day.... make your working day much longer..... you may want to consider alt days or a park and ride option...