On preparing for my first 'race'

Simon L said:

What about kit? I've got all my nylons and lycras but I'm wondering
about waterproofing and food. I've got my energy drink, take a small
amount of solid food? (I don't want to ride with anything on my back).

Waterproofing's a no-no IMHO. The ultimate problems with getting wet
are comfort and, more importantly, cold. Since you'll be working hard
and the weather's probably going to be warm the cold bit should be a
non-isse, and since it's a race comfort will be too (as long as you're
comfy enough on the saddle to keep pedalling then anything else is moot).

If you are worried about getting cold then look for a very light pertex
or similar top which can easily stow in a jersey pocket or a seat wedge
(the wee ones pack down to about the size of an apple). That will be
windproof and keep off the lion's share of the rain so you'll stay
reasonably warm, if not exactly dessicated.

For food, suggestions from Proper roadies will probably be better than
mine, but I'd suggest nibbles that can go into back pockets on the
jersey. Stuff like raisins, maybe some salted nuts.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Simon L said:

Having been really enjoying my cycling this year, I allowed myself to
be persuaded by an over fit friend to join the Cyclosportive ride
starting from Highclere on the Sunday of the Bank Holiday weekend
coming (three weeks).

I'm confident of doing 50 miles in the time allowed (something like
11.5 mph minimum) although I havn't had a 50 mile day since May ...
anyone recommend some last minute rides I should consider? I'm doing 50
miles a week commuting but it doesn't do much more than keep my legs
stretched.

Three weeks is not all that long to prepare. It's important to have a
realistic goal which in your case should probably be to get round
comfortably within the time limit without feeling you've just done the
RAAM at the end of it. I would try to get out in the evenings and the 2
remaining weekends and do a mixture of short fast rides (10 - 15 miles
at a speed that makes you breathe moderately hard) and longer steady
ones (30 - 35 miles at around 15 mph). If you can manage 35 miles like
that you will have no trouble doing 50 in the actual event.

Taper right down in the last 3 or 4 days before the event, just using
the commuting to keep the legs turning over gently.

Quoted message said:

What about kit? I've got all my nylons and lycras but I'm wondering
about waterproofing and food. I've got my energy drink, take a small
amount of solid food? (I don't want to ride with anything on my back).

As in Pete Clinch's answer a light weight long-sleeved top you can
squeeze down into a back pocket or saddle wedge is probably all you
need. For food energy bars or energy gels should be enough. Again you
can easily carry these in your pockets. Needless to say you should not
eat or drink anything on the event that you haven't tested first on
your training rides as people react differently to them.

On the event it's easy to get swept up into a fast group by the
excitement. If you find yourself struggling to hang on to a group after
10 miles you should probably let them go and try to latch onto a
slightly slower one when it catches you up.

Quoted message said:

Thanks.

Good luck!

--
Dave...

In article <[email hidden]>

Simon L said:

Having been really enjoying my cycling this year, I allowed myself to
be persuaded by an over fit friend to join the Cyclosportive ride
starting from Highclere on the Sunday of the Bank Holiday weekend
coming (three weeks).

I'm confident of doing 50 miles in the time allowed (something like
11.5 mph minimum) although I havn't had a 50 mile day since May ...
anyone recommend some last minute rides I should consider? I'm doing 50
miles a week commuting but it doesn't do much more than keep my legs
stretched.

You could probably at least double the length of your commute without
noticing.

Quoted message said:

What about kit? I've got all my nylons and lycras but I'm wondering
about waterproofing and food.

Wicking and windproofing are much more important than waterproofing.

Quoted message said:

I've got my energy drink, take a small
amount of solid food? (I don't want to ride with anything on my back).

Bananas are good, and easy to carry in the back pockets of your jersey -
just don't sit/lie on them because you forgot they were there :-)

in message <[email hidden]>, Peter Clinch

(') said:

Simon L said:

What about kit? I've got all my nylons and lycras but I'm wondering
about waterproofing and food. I've got my energy drink, take a small
amount of solid food? (I don't want to ride with anything on my back).

Waterproofing's a no-no IMHO. The ultimate problems with getting wet
are comfort and, more importantly, cold. Since you'll be working hard
and the weather's probably going to be warm the cold bit should be a
non-isse, and since it's a race comfort will be too (as long as you're
comfy enough on the saddle to keep pedalling then anything else is
moot).

If you are worried about getting cold then look for a very light pertex
or similar top which can easily stow in a jersey pocket or a seat wedge
(the wee ones pack down to about the size of an apple). That will be
windproof and keep off the lion's share of the rain so you'll stay
reasonably warm, if not exactly dessicated.

I would recommend this unless the weather's really warm. You can get
chilled very quickly, particularly going over a brow from a long climb
onto a long descent. Something which will break the wind and provide
some degree of waterproofing (particularly on your chest and shoulders)
is a good thing - even a light gilet will do.

Quoted message said:

For food, suggestions from Proper roadies will probably be better than
mine, but I'd suggest nibbles that can go into back pockets on the
jersey. Stuff like raisins, maybe some salted nuts.

Cereal bars work well; The Soreen malt loaf people now do a bar
confusingly called a 'Go' bar - very different from the SiS 'Go' bar-
which is extremely good.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

Morning had broken, and there was nothing left for us to do
but pick up the pieces.