Cycling the UK 7 times in a row, 100 miles a day?

just1moreperson

Hiya everyone, first post.

I'm looking for advice on whether or not cycling 100 miles a day for a period of 2 months is possible and a reality?? I have set myself the challenge of cycling the UK 7 times in a row and I would like to complete it within a set time of 2 and a half months or less. I've figured out it would take 63 days to complete if I cycled 100 miles a day. So far in training I am doing 20-30 mile rides a day. I plan to up it over the next couple of months before my challenge but on the whole I am not a avid cyclist. Which is why I am here seeking advice on this as I realise its a big challenge but I would like an insight into what you folks think? I am 19 years old and in general I am in good shape, not super fit.....but fit enough. I plan to start the trip in June. I am doing it in aid of Huntington's Disease and I'm cycling in honour of 7 young people (hense 7 in a row) who died at the hands of Huntington's Disease. Please let me know what you think. I would really appreciate some proper cyclists insight.

Thank you, Matt.

alienator

Anything's possible, whether you'll be up to it, is another matter. The best thing you could do, now, would be to get a coach. If check local cycling forums, local bike shops, and etc., someone should be able to point toward a coach. Also, talking with local teams is great way to find a coach. Given the charitable nature of your ride, I'd think it's likely you'd find coach who would help you, certainly, at a reduced rate and maybe even gratis.

Google bike coach in your area or UK.

You definitely need a structured training program. You're going to have to build up your endurance on the bike and your strength. Cycling has special requirements so endurance, as a runner, may not translate directly to endurance as a cyclist. At some point in the very near future you need to start working, into your week, a couple of rides that are significantly longer than what you're doing now. Rides can't just be exercises in pedaling with the same effort every day. Some rides need to be high intensity; some need to be moderately intense and longer, some rides need to be easy recovery rides.

If you also google bicycle training methods or training regimens, that'll be a good start. It'll give you a better idea about to what I'm alluding. I'm no training expert, not in the slightest, but I'm trying to direct to sources and people with the knowledge you need.

Good luck.

dgregory57

If you go for a trainer, be sure to get someone who doesn't want to make you a racer, but works with you to accomplish a slow steady pace for long durations.

For scale, the Tour de France this year wiull cover about 2175 miles in 21 stages, with 2 rest days sandwiched in. You are aiming to do this sort of mileage with no rest days... You will be doing it much slower, but for 3 times longer.

Going from 20-30 miles per day to 100 miles in a day is a relatively easy task at your age. Doing it for several weeks in a row is going to be tough.

A few questions.

Will you be self-supported and carrying your own gear?

Camping or other?

The equipment you may need to carry with you could make a huge difference.

Will the route be hilly or flat? Winds? Weather conditions?

At your age, I would say that it is a possible task, but it will be extremely tough. If I recall properly from some reading, organized tours across the US tend to ride less than 100 miles on most days, and have support vehicles to carry their stuff. In addition they tend to have a rest day built into the schedule at least once per week.

But, these rides are for recreation and not endurance.

Some things to consider...

Your caloric needs to sustain an average 100 miles per day for more than two months will be extreme. Eat well, hydrate well etc. Get used to eating and drinking on the bike.

Your biggest enemy won't be fitness alone... if you can ride 20 or 30 miles in a day, you might be as fit as you need to be... you just need to ride for 8-10 hours a day instead of 2. Time in the saddle will cause issues that are beyond just fitness. You need to develop toughness of skin, and learn to deal with saddle sores.

I would suggest logging in at bikeforums.net and asking this in the "Long Distance Cycling" forum. There are people over there that ride the PBP (Paris-Brest-Paris) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris-Brest-Paris which is basically `1200 km with minimal rest breaks... many only stop for 1 or 2 hour naps from start to finish. What you are hoping to accomplish has more in common with their style of riding than any other event. You will be getting full nights of rest, but the gruelling nature of what you want to accomplish may have been tried by some of these people before.

Good luck!

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TheDarkLord

Another long distance forum I recommend is http://forums.bicycling.com/eve/for...frm/f/652104717. There are many randonneurs who participate there.

just1moreperson

Hiya Gregory, thanks for the reply I will definately check out that site and seek advice. To answer your questions I will be cycling alone without support so I will be carrying my own gear. I will be camping most nights but will use B&Bs at certain stages. The route is a mix really, not hugely hilly though. Winds and weather in a UK summer I'd imagine I will recieve a fair bit of rain, winds will possibly not be as bad.

I realise the challenge I've set is massive but I am determined to give it a go so any help is greatly appreciated.

Matt.

Yojimbo_

Good advice from the others, but I'm not confident that you'll be able to do it.

I am reasonably fit, and I have done back to back rides of 110 miles, and I am very tired after that. I can't imagine doing that day after day after day, all alone and carrying my own stuff.

You might want to ride 100 miles with all your stuff to get a feel for what it will be like - maybe do two back to back 100 mile rides to get a better feel.

Not saying it's impossible, just that it will be very very tough.

Bro Deal

After four to five days you get used to it (if you have a sufficent training base). Touring is not like doing a training ride or an organized century. You can go slooow. You get up in the morning and ride for a few hours. Stop, eat lunch, rest, then ride for a few more. It doesn't matter if it takes eight to ten hours to get to your sleeping destination for the day.

It is a lot easier if you have someone to talk to.

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"You are like the wind and I like the lion. You form the tempest. The sand stings my eyes and the ground is parched. I roar in defiance but you do not hear. But between us there is a difference. I, like the lion, must remain in my place. While you like the wind will never know yours." -- Mulay Hamid El Raisuli, Lord of the Riff, Sultan to the Berbers, Last of the Barbary Pirates

just1moreperson

So what training do you think I should do?