Blatant non boaty plug for your hard earned

Gary,

enjoying this thread a lot!

since I've read a few interesting things that some sound right but are wrong and building on my 6yrs of race bike cycling experience (almost 10K km pa :eek: ) when I was a student and at the uni (OK close to 30yrs ago!) I'd like to add a few bits of info if I may:

  • decide on the bike NOW and use it throughout the training. Totally unacceptable to change bikes a fortnight or even a month before the event
  • I'd opt for a mountain bike, relatively light (not silly light though) with quick release wheels. Front suspension only, rear adds weight and energy loss in pedaling.
  • I'd definitely change the tyres to road tyres and relatively thin, may have to change the width (not dia) of the rims though. Inflate them silly, they have to be like that!
  • get chamois cycling lycra for both you and son. No underwear! Learn to sit on the saddle, possibly get a embarrassing thin saddle that feels completely wrong, they are comfy.
  • get spd shoes and pedals! that alone will give you 20% over the competition (and 50% more chances of having an embarrassing fall at zero speed when coming to rest). Legs/feet work on lifting the pedals not only pushing them down ;)
  • get a heart monitor. Best if you get a combo odometer/cadence/heartbeat/altitude/whatever meter that straps on the handlebars. The heart sensor straps on the torso and wirelessly sends signal to the dial. Use it on training and of course on the race. Due to low level of training and experience on long routes, stick your eyes on the heartbeat rate (OK, you DO CHECK THE ROAD!!!). Stick to the acceptable max rate (based on age, weight, med condition et al, your GP should be able to advise) and DONT OVERDO it: you go over the threshold for a few mins, you feel knackered for the next 15-20min and recovery will be painful, slow and embarrassing (tends to happen halfway through a steep hill ;) )
  • get a decent lightweight helmet
  • check your diet before the race, carbohydrates, drinks, sugar, easy to find out what works.
  • A LOT of TRAINING, more training and a bit more training. But start slowly and built up (makes sense)
  • finally, both on training and the race you aim to work your legs on lowish load and lots of revs (think two stroke petrol rather than 4stroke diesel) Avoids cramps and overall fatigue.

that's about it, easy :p

good luck

V.
 
vas said:
Gary,

enjoying this thread a lot!

since I've read a few interesting things that some sound right but are wrong and building on my 6yrs of race bike cycling experience (almost 10K km pa :eek: ) when I was a student and at the uni (OK close to 30yrs ago!) I'd like to add a few bits of info if I may:

  • decide on the bike NOW and use it throughout the training. Totally unacceptable to change bikes a fortnight or even a month before the event
  • I'd opt for a mountain bike, relatively light (not silly light though) with quick release wheels. Front suspension only, rear adds weight and energy loss in pedaling.
  • I'd definitely change the tyres to road tyres and relatively thin, may have to change the width (not dia) of the rims though. Inflate them silly, they have to be like that!
  • get chamois cycling lycra for both you and son. No underwear! Learn to sit on the saddle, possibly get a embarrassing thin saddle that feels completely wrong, they are comfy.
  • get spd shoes and pedals! that alone will give you 20% over the competition (and 50% more chances of having an embarrassing fall at zero speed when coming to rest). Legs/feet work on lifting the pedals not only pushing them down ;)
  • get a heart monitor. Best if you get a combo odometer/cadence/heartbeat/altitude/whatever meter that straps on the handlebars. The heart sensor straps on the torso and wirelessly sends signal to the dial. Use it on training and of course on the race. Due to low level of training and experience on long routes, stick your eyes on the heartbeat rate (OK, you DO CHECK THE ROAD!!!). Stick to the acceptable max rate (based on age, weight, med condition et al, your GP should be able to advise) and DONT OVERDO it: you go over the threshold for a few mins, you feel knackered for the next 15-20min and recovery will be painful, slow and embarrassing (tends to happen halfway through a steep hill ;) )
  • get a decent lightweight helmet
  • check your diet before the race, carbohydrates, drinks, sugar, easy to find out what works.
  • A LOT of TRAINING, more training and a bit more training. But start slowly and built up (makes sense)
  • finally, both on training and the race you aim to work your legs on lowish load and lots of revs (think two stroke petrol rather than 4stroke diesel) Avoids cramps and overall fatigue.

that's about it, easy :p

good luck

V.
Click to expand...

Thanks, this is brilliant advice.

This is the bike I usually ride when having spurts of "I need to get fit"..
535434_4387191557861_461422145_n.jpg


I believe it's referred to as a hardtail so it sounds like all I need to do as you, Howard and others have mentioned is fit slicks to it. The bike's alloy so relative light. I currently have the bobblies inflated to 45psi and they're pretty rock hard. seem to recall inflating slicks more than that though (60psi?)

I'll practice with the SPD's so thanks for the advice there, sounds a must have if they add that much benefit.. I hear it's easy to fall flat on one's mush if you're not careful so I'll train with them before the ride.

Got the helmets and they will be worn.

I have a heart monitor or three from when I used to frequent the gym so will dig them out (they're the one's that strap around the chest)..

will post a picture later, got an idea regarding the training when the weather is inclement... going to call it the 'torture room' :)

was intending on eating a big bowl of pasta the night before the event and banana's etc during the ride with drinks that replace electrolytes so sounds like I am doing the right things there

thanks again for the advice, really useful :encouragement:
 
I used to have a Johnson rowing machine.... "Would you like to straddle my Johnson ladies?"

In reality if you get on with the training you'll be fine. A set of thinner wheels with road tyres makes a massive difference to the point where you'll think you're cheating. Adult wheels are usually 700C size, not sure what yours will be. Loads of people around to advise you of the right size.

Very wise words in terms of staying in your comfort zone. In theory you exert a constant effort and change gear to maintain the same input. If you train enough it will be relatively easy so long as you stay in that comfort zone. Get some advice on setting the bike up as well. Seat position, stem height and possibly crank arm. People get bikes fitted to them these days.

Christopher made a video about fitting bicycles.





Henry :)
 
was intending on eating a big bowl of pasta the night before the event and banana's etc during the ride with drinks that replace electrolytes so sounds like I am doing the right things there
Click to expand...

and take a bag of jelly babies with you to eat on the way... or do a Lance Armstrong..:encouragement:
 
oGaryo said:
Thanks, this is brilliant advice.

This is the bike I usually ride when having spurts of "I need to get fit"..
535434_4387191557861_461422145_n.jpg


I believe it's referred to as a hardtail so it sounds like all I need to do as you, Howard and others have mentioned is fit slicks to it. The bike's alloy so relative light. I currently have the bobblies inflated to 45psi and they're pretty rock hard. seem to recall inflating slicks more than that though (60psi?)

I'll practice with the SPD's so thanks for the advice there, sounds a must have if they add that much benefit.. I hear it's easy to fall flat on one's mush if you're not careful so I'll train with them before the ride.

Got the helmets and they will be worn.

I have a heart monitor or three from when I used to frequent the gym so will dig them out (they're the one's that strap around the chest)..

will post a picture later, got an idea regarding the training when the weather is inclement... going to call it the 'torture room' :)

was intending on eating a big bowl of pasta the night before the event and banana's etc during the ride with drinks that replace electrolytes so sounds like I am doing the right things there

thanks again for the advice, really useful :encouragement:
Click to expand...

It was... the only thing I'd add (and I do about 3K miles a year) is that THE best thing I ever discovered was kevlar lined tyres (puncture proof), and twin them with slime filled inner tubes (also puncture resistant)

I ride a hard tail hybrid and I use a road type tyre tread, I keep mine at 60-70 psi (they're rock hard) to reduce resistance... you vibrate a bit due to road surfaces generally being cr*p, but front shocks will keep your wrists from exploding... :D

If I'm doing significant distances I wear the padded lycra... but in order to prtect inncoent members of the public from the sight, I wear normal shorts over the top.
 
Another huge donation from Mat (MatM) and Linda.. thanks guys, really appreciated. look forward to seeing you on the 1st at the Beer and Natter event :encouragement:
 
My aunt had and pulled through breast cancer a few years ago, a charity close to my heart.

Gary, stock up on the pills that replace lost salts or you may suffer cramp. Important to replace salts as you sweat them out.

Anders
 
Anders_P42 said:
My aunt had and pulled through breast cancer a few years ago, a charity close to my heart.

Gary, stock up on the pills that replace lost salts or you may suffer cramp. Important to replace salts as you sweat them out.

Anders
Click to expand...

Will do Anders and wow, what can I say, thank you so much for your donation, cannot believe it total's now over £1.5k in a short a time as a week since creating the page.

thanks again :encouragement:
 
Anonymous, thanks also for your donation and yep, been looking at a few videos of folk climbing (literally) Ditchling Beacon, it's gonna hurt :)

cheers Gary
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top