Any experienced cyclists out there??

[PrincessButtercup]

Please help!

I signed myself up for the London to Brighton race months ago and somehow forgot about it. Also, when I signed up, I had visions of breezing along country lanes, my basket full of sandwiches and lashings of ginger beer, etc., etc. DH was and when I told him this and urged me to get training sharpish. So, here I am...

I'm not unfit (gym/run/swim)and have a decent new hybrid bike but am a total cycling novice. So far my training has included as many spin classes as I've been able to fit into the past couple of weeks and 3 outings to Richmond park (built up to 4 x 7 mile circuits today but def. felt I could do more). A few questions...

1. Should I withdraw and retain some semblance of dignity now?!
2. How far should I be aiming to cycle and how regularly before the day?
3. Do I need to take any precautions to avoid discomfort during the race? I have glasses, helmet of course, a gel seat and padded shorts. Vaseline? And if so, where?!
4. How much water will I need to carry. Is there plenty available along the way?
5. Baskets: practical or pathetic?

Thanks!
PB

Come on Princess you can do it

1. Don't withdraw. The cycle route will be very busy with cyclists and you really won't get much speed up until well outside the M25 it will be fun

1. I cycled through Vietnam last November, 508km in 8 days with about as little preparation as you! and I finished (I just cycled 5 or 10 miles once every weekend for my training) and the pace was 26km per hour. Faster than you will be doing. Once you get going, it's fine - until you get to the hills!

1. Essentials: helmet, fingerless cycling gloves, cycling glasses and for a novice cyclist use a camelback* (water rucksack thing) not a bottle full of water. A comfortable ladies saddle (not those skinny mens racing things) + Gel saddle on top (I got one in Tesco's which was perfect) and get a cycling top with the funny elasticated pocket the the back. Dead useful for glucose sweets and lots of tissues + glasses cleaner, lip salve and anti bacterial hand gel. (for hands and to cleanse cuts!)

Don't do padded shorts, they look ridiculous, like you are wearing a nappy when you stand up and you don't need them with a ladies saddle and gel cover honestly.

*My camelback was a 3 litre one and I would 3/4 fill it. Very easy to refill + if you take the chest strap and use it, it's a great place to hang the camera from and easy to access for on the move shots

1. Basket: pathetic!

Good Luck

Thanks Kaloo! Huge respect for your Vietnam expedition. That must have been an amazing experience. I am inspired; this year Brighton, next year..... well, let's see how I go!

Right, I'll do it. Will invest in a camel pack & cycling top and will ditch the padded shorts (NOW you tell me I look ridiculous! I've been wearing thm for 2 weeks!) and basket [sniff!].

Thanks again for your advice and support. I'm actually getting quite excited. I think cycling could be myy new 'thing'! Have you done much since Vietnam?

a few 5 mile cycles which seemed extremely easy after Vietnam but were hard work before I went.

Are you cycling alone or with friends ?

Speaking as an experienced cyclist:

Your bottom will hurt less afterwards if you wear padded shorts; most people will have them on.

Does your bike have water bottle holders? I'd bring 2 bottles and money to buy more. Camelback gets you hotter, is more work to carry.

Baskets are fine, just an old-fashioned barbag, plenty folk have those. But your stuff could easily fall out of it.

... experienced cyclists can reach forward and pull out a water bottle from it's holder whilst cycling ... novices can't without wobbling !

I would definitely wobble! So I'll be the one wobbling all over the road, with a padded a*se and a pathetic basket!

Kaloo - I'm training alone but doing the race with ex work-mates. I hope that we'll be doing it as a team. I'm sure that will help when it comes to the hills..