London to Southend Charity Bike Ride

[doorframe]

This Sunday is the annual BHF London to Southend Charity Bike Ride. I've never done anything like it before so this is a definite 1st for me. My cheap old mountain bike is a heavy beast so I bought a second hand Claude Butler hybrid from Ebay. Needed a ton of work but now it's ready. If all goes well and I don't keel over with a 'connery' I'll be doing as many London to Wherever rides as I possibly can. I'm 48 and a little overweight, BTW.

Anyone here done this sort of thing before? Anyone got any stories or advise? I'd love to hear from you.

 

[joethedrummer]

Do the Ford Dunton to Harwich for the Essex Air Ambulance but its on a Z1000 Kawazaki,, see you don"t have to pedal Go for it ,, raising money for good causes,, makes you feel good,,,,,

 

[devonwoody]

Southend, I did that ride when I was nine years old from Wood Green, and only a hard boiled egg sandwich to eat nearly seventy years ago. (and back)

 

[Jacob]

Main thing is to take it steady - don't try too hard or you will just run out of energy sooner. Especially hills - change into bottom straightaway and go slow. You will be overtaken but you will catch up with some of them if you don't over do it. If you have any strength left on a hill you can save it for a sprint over the top!

 

[devonwoody]

Jacob, no hills on the way to Southend. don't reckon it rises or falls more than 30ft.

 

[Jacob]

Jacob, no hills on the way to Southend. don't reckon it rises or falls more than 30ft.

30ft is a f***ng big hill when you are knackerd!

 

[bugbear]

This Sunday is the annual BHF London to Southend Charity Bike Ride. I've never done anything like it before so this is a definite 1st for me. My cheap old mountain bike is a heavy beast so I bought a second hand Claude Butler hybrid from Ebay. Needed a ton of work but now it's ready. If all goes well and I don't keel over with a 'connery' I'll be doing as many London to Wherever rides as I possibly can. I'm 48 and a little overweight, BTW.

Anyone here done this sort of thing before? Anyone got any stories or advise? I'd love to hear from you.

I've helped (as mechanic) as well as ridden on several sponsored group rides. The commonest issues are:

* saddle too low (which is nice 'cos you can put your feet down, but doesn't allow you to use your muscles nicely)

* tyres too soft

* using too high a gear

So - check these, or (if you feel that you lack the knowledge) get them checked.

More high-falutin' stuff involves looking after yourself. Drink lots of fluid, watch out for sun-burn, eat some slow-release food the night before or in the morning (pasta and porridge are the classics here).

BugBear

 

[Jacob]

.....
* using too high a gear....

Yes. Inexperienced cyclists do it a lot. It feels like you are working harder (you are) but you aren't necessarily going any faster. Keep gears low. Never use top gears at all unless you are on a long descent with the wind behind.

 

[doorframe]

Hmm, my daily ride to work is pretty flat, so the hills (although not that bad) and the East wind are my main fears.

I have been told to eat a Mars bar before the start.

DW, I reckon you could still beat me to Southend.

 

[bugbear]

Jacob, no hills on the way to Southend. don't reckon it rises or falls more than 30ft.

http://www.strava.com/activities/7629715

BugBear

 

[devonwoody]

Jacob, no hills on the way to Southend. don't reckon it rises or falls more than 30ft.

http://www.strava.com/activities/7629715

BugBear

:lol: :lol: :lol:

You certainly found a long and high route Something wrong, the graph displays around 300ft max. height yet verbally they are quoting 1700ft. (and I used to live at Wickford in the 50's)

this is the one any cyclist would use. 40 miles using the A127 with cycle track back in the 50's .

North Circular then the A127 used to have a cycle track. Looking at google they wanted to put you on the M25 (with a bike!!!!!!!) at 15 mph under 2 1/2 hours each way. a ride in the park.

 

[bugbear]

Jacob, no hills on the way to Southend. don't reckon it rises or falls more than 30ft.

http://www.strava.com/activities/7629715

BugBear

:lol: :lol: :lol:

You certainly found a long and high route Something wrong, the graph displays around 300ft max. height yet verbally they are quoting 1700ft. (and I used to live at Wickford in the 50's)

this is the one any cyclist would use. 40 miles using the A127 with cycle track back in the 50's .

North Circular then the A127 used to have a cycle track. Looking at google they wanted to put you on the M25 (with a bike!!!!!!!) at 15 mph under 2 1/2 hours each way. a ride in the park.

The Strava thing is claimed to be the BHF route from 2010. I suspect the "elevation" is total amount of climbing.


Here's 2013:

http://www.bike-events.co.uk/Ride.aspx?id=362

They claim 52 miles for their route.

BugBear

 

[Jacob]

And tyre pressure - look at the tyre sidewall it'll probably say 80 - 100 psi for which you need a track pump as you can't do that with an ordinary bike pump - they are for emergencies only. Makes a big difference to rolling resistance and if you are used to low pressures (most people are) you will notice the improvement (and a harder ride).

 

[doorframe]

And tyre pressure - look at the tyre sidewall it'll probably say 80 - 100 psi for which you need a track pump as you can't do that with an ordinary bike pump - they are for emergencies only. Makes a big difference to rolling resistance and if you are used to low pressures (most people are) you will notice the improvement (and a harder ride).

On my mountain bike I keep the pressures to max, and it's still a very soft ride with dual suspension, a sprung seat post, a soft seat and a gel seat cover. But using the road bike all last week (to get used to it) I felt every single little bump with the tyres at about 80 (as you say, my pump can't reach the max 110) and NO suspension!! I've added the gel seat cover but it's still horrible. My son's mate has got a track pump so we'll be pumping up before we leave in the morning. Can't wait to get back on my heavy old comfortable MB on Monday!

 

[Jacob]

Hope you have a nice day out.
If you survive and want to do it again I'd suggest a few days rest (mainly the sore ar*se!) and then slip in a few short local excursions as often as possible. The more you do it the easier and more enjoyable it gets. Including short ones, you don't have to kill yourself.
We've just been out for a lazy 40 miles: home - Monsal trail, High Peak trail and back. Hilly in parts. One pub stop, one coffee and bun stop, one ice cream stop. NB we nearer 70 than 48 (and she's a fat lass - it's all that stopping!)

 

[bugbear]

This Sunday is the annual BHF London to Southend Charity Bike Ride.

How did it go ?!?!?

BugBear

 

[doorframe]

What a great day. Can't wait to do it again. I'll pace myself a bit better next time. The last few miles were torture. My son did 3hrs 17mins, and I did 4hr 10mins.

The next ride should be the London - Southend off-road on 1st Sept, but the old mountain bikes will need some major surgery before that!!

Here's me and my son with our medals at the finish (I'd just finished, while he'd already had beer and pizza!!)

 

[Mike.C]

Well done, especially in this heat =D> =D>

Cheers

Mike

 

[bugbear]

What a great day. Can't wait to do it again. I'll pace myself a bit better next time. The last few miles were torture. My son did 3hrs 17mins, and I did 4hr 10mins.

The next ride should be the London - Southend off-road on 1st Sept, but the old mountain bikes will need some major surgery before that!!

Here's me and my son with our medals at the finish (I'd just finished, while he'd already had beer and pizza!!)

Well done.

=D> =D> =D>

=D> =D> =D>

=D> =D> =D>

And please accept my apologies for not recommending cycling shorts - they're great, and I took it for granted you'd have some.

BugBear

 

[doorframe]

And please accept my apologies for not recommending cycling shorts - they're great, and I took it for granted you'd have some.

And you would be right.... I do already have some. But, one look in the mirror was enough to convince me of what a lemon I would look like if I wore them to the event. After all, no-one else would dare to look that stupid, would they?



Errr, YES!! 99% of them. Oh well.... next time then!