Advice..........lots!

[ClockworkOrange]

Leading on from my previous ongoing thread WOOHOO! What a charity ride. Now I am going to need a lot of advice and help.

I average about 100 miles per month, broken down the most I do is 12 miles in one ride. The most miles I have ever ridden is 26 for sponsored bike rides.

I've decided as I am reaching the big 60 next year and wanting to raise £10,000 for Leukaemia Research, I want to do 52 miles.

My partner is already saying it will be too much and I have to think of my health, well, all that is going to do is make me even more determined to achieve it.

So, I am going to double up on what I have ever achieved before, I have 269 days before the ride!

Might be opening the flood gates here but any advice gratefully received.

Clock

[Biciclista]

you have lots of time to train for that ride. start in the spring in earnest with 15 mile rides, then go to 25 the next week then 30, then 40, etc...

I don't see why you can't do it. really, you don't have to go like a maniac!

[Trek420]

52 miles is almost a metric century. Tell us a little about your goal route. Is it hilly? Expect headwinds? Besides the distance how hard is it?

You'll probably need to average 13-15 mph or higher to finish ahead of the sweep wagon. Or slow and steady and be incredibly efficient in and out of rest stops.

Sounds like you're doing fine right now. What do you feel stops you from longer rides now? Any pains, discomfort? Work to resolve those issues.

[ClockworkOrange]

52 miles is almost a metric century. Tell us a little about your goal route. Is it hilly? Expect headwinds? Besides the distance how hard is it?

You'll probably need to average 13-15 mph or higher to finish ahead of the sweep wagon. Or slow and steady and be incredibly efficient in and out of rest stops.

Sounds like you're doing fine right now. What do you feel stops you from longer rides now? Any pains, discomfort? Work to resolve those issues.

Cheers Trek for taking the time to post.

Only a couple of minor hills, don't expect headwinds in June in London, hope not anyway.

It is not a race and for those who do intend getting there quickly, I won't be anywhere near them.

I suppose the main problem occasionally, is the burning in my legs after about 12 miles while going up any hills, it soon wears off. On the flat I am fine.

One question you can probably answer, do most people do warming up exercises, as it is something I have never done and know nothing about?

Clock

[Trek420]

One question you can probably answer, do most people do warming up exercises, as it is something I have never done and know nothing about?

Clock

Some do, some don't.

Because of my arth and various joint boo boos on longer rides I do not warm up before riding. Instead I start out slow, oh heck, who am I fooling I'm always slow ..... what I mean is I start with an easy spin the first few miles. Regardless of speed I'm just spinning and "feathering the pedals" no pressure.

Then I stop, get off the bike and do a few stretches once the joints are warm.

If this is a PB, longest ride pay close attention to what fuels you, what's best for staying fed, hydrated.