L
I'm doing the Exmouth Exodus this weekend - http://www.exmouthexodus.co.uk/
I've never done anything like this before, so any advice would be
welcome.
I'm not too worried about the hills - I climb fairly similar ones on
my commute home at least twice a week. And I'm reasonably confident
about finishing the distance - I did 73 hilly Cotswold miles a couple
of weeks back in 7 hours elapsed time on a less than ideal bike
(nobbly tires, 12 speed lacking hill climbing ratios, not quite the
right size) and was OK and commuted as normal next day.
Things I found from the 73 miler were: I didn't have enough water
(drank over 3 pints when I got back); I didn't have anything like
enough food - the bike computer said I'd used 3,000 calories, which I
take with a pinch of salt, but I didn't eat anything close to that;
set off too fast - averaged 15 mph for the first 20 miles which were
seriously hilly wtih two big climbs, remaining miles were relatively
easier but average dropped to 13 mph. (Speed drop may have been due
to poor eating as well.)
My questions:
1) How much water do I need to carry. Route card shows water stops at
20, 50 (not certain about this one but seems likely) and 80 miles .
Will 2 litres be enough to get me between stops?
2) Food recommendations. Presumably some sort of energy cereal bar,
bananas. How many, how often should I eat? I don't think normal hunger
will be a good guide.
3) Any spares/tools I should carry beyond obvious puncture repair kit/
spare tube and batteries/basic multi tool? For a day time run I
wouldn't bother, but there ain't going to be many cycle shops open in
the wee hours of Sunday morning.
4) Presumably people won't pedal all night without stopping, but will
they just sit on the verge for a rest? Tea will be provided at 50
miles, but no shelter.
5) I can't imagine falling asleep on a bike, is sleepiness an issue?
Any other advice welcome (pre-ride eating? ride etiquette for this
sort of thing?) as there are probably other questions I don't yet know
I should ask.
Rob
I've never done anything like this before, so any advice would be
welcome.
I'm not too worried about the hills - I climb fairly similar ones on
my commute home at least twice a week. And I'm reasonably confident
about finishing the distance - I did 73 hilly Cotswold miles a couple
of weeks back in 7 hours elapsed time on a less than ideal bike
(nobbly tires, 12 speed lacking hill climbing ratios, not quite the
right size) and was OK and commuted as normal next day.
Things I found from the 73 miler were: I didn't have enough water
(drank over 3 pints when I got back); I didn't have anything like
enough food - the bike computer said I'd used 3,000 calories, which I
take with a pinch of salt, but I didn't eat anything close to that;
set off too fast - averaged 15 mph for the first 20 miles which were
seriously hilly wtih two big climbs, remaining miles were relatively
easier but average dropped to 13 mph. (Speed drop may have been due
to poor eating as well.)
My questions:
1) How much water do I need to carry. Route card shows water stops at
20, 50 (not certain about this one but seems likely) and 80 miles .
Will 2 litres be enough to get me between stops?
2) Food recommendations. Presumably some sort of energy cereal bar,
bananas. How many, how often should I eat? I don't think normal hunger
will be a good guide.
3) Any spares/tools I should carry beyond obvious puncture repair kit/
spare tube and batteries/basic multi tool? For a day time run I
wouldn't bother, but there ain't going to be many cycle shops open in
the wee hours of Sunday morning.
4) Presumably people won't pedal all night without stopping, but will
they just sit on the verge for a rest? Tea will be provided at 50
miles, but no shelter.
5) I can't imagine falling asleep on a bike, is sleepiness an issue?
Any other advice welcome (pre-ride eating? ride etiquette for this
sort of thing?) as there are probably other questions I don't yet know
I should ask.
Rob