Bike Riding

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Re: Bike Riding

Right guys, I'm going on a rugby tour next year with school and they're doing a sponsored bike ride at the end of June. We're riding the coast to coast route, starting in the west and heading east, which is 150 miles over 3 days. It's pretty hilly (lake district, Pennines etc) but all on roads.

The thing is, I've never cycled seriously - the biggest distance I've ever gone is about 6 miles - and I've been on my bike maybe 2 or 3 times in the last couple of years. The bike I've got isn't suitable for longer distance road trips and I have no cycle gear at all (well, I've got a helmet :p) I actually managed to fail my cycling proficiency in primary school as well :)p) though that was more down to there being no road markings than anything else.

Firstly, do you think there's a realistic chance of me being able to complete the ride?? My parents are very dubious, especially after seeing how seriously the games teachers cycle, and considering 50 miles a day is many times further than I've ever cycled. And secondly, if so how would you recommend I prepare for it?
 
Re: Bike Riding

Well... I have to say... I do think you're mad.

However, you're fit :D

My worry is not the 150 miles but the little hills you are planning to go over. If you are not a cyclist, your leg muscles [especially the gastrocnemius] are not going to cope terribly well. If you had 12 weeks to train I would say it would be easy.

What are the contingency plans? It may be worth giving it a try. I am sure there will be a minibus or something similar to help out those who cannot go any further on the day and remember, once you are at the top of these mountains, it's down hill... if you survive ;).

Try cycling up hill as much as you can between now and the time you go and pray we don't get a heatwave.
 
Re: Bike Riding

good on you! get out on your bike and ride! its more a case of putting in the miles litterally!
 
Re: Bike Riding

OK thanks guys. I'm gonna give it a go and see how it works out. If I'm dying near the time I might give it a miss and raise money doing something I'm more comfortable doing (ie walking, skiing etc) and I'm already getting sponsored per wicket I take this season :p
 
Re: Bike Riding

Jelly,

you should be ok, if you break it down its not that many miles in a day.

what sort of time would you be starting and aiming to finish?
 
Re: Bike Riding

mate if you were local i'd help u train!

i usually ride a 10 mile circuit after work, which is 60% off road and very hilly. My Bike is designed for going down hill and off off stuff weighs in at 40lb with wide knobely tyres so its pants on the road!

It takes me 1hr and 5 mins! 55 mins if i'm on the ipod!
 
Re: Bike Riding

Cool. I think I'll train all on-road because the whole trip is on-road. I think I'll aim to do about 5 miles a day for a few days, then 10 and then maybe a bit more and leave it at that per day.
 
Re: Bike Riding

:laugh: yeah, how could I?

Where I live practically everything is a hill or some sort or another so just cycling the back roads should be good training. Nearer the time I might try some focused hill climbing as there's a fairly steep hill fairly close to where I live that I could go up and down loads.
 
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