How to train for long distance cycle touring

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
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AM7
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Location: North West Essex

Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by AM7 »

Wise words :D
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Vantage
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Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by Vantage »

Especially the "signing out" bit. Wise man indeed.
Bill


“Ride as much or as little, or as long or as short as you feel. But ride.” ~ Eddy Merckx
It's a rich man whos children run to him when his pockets are empty.
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jamesgilbert
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Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by jamesgilbert »

Excellent stuff, thanks for posting
theDaveB
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Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by theDaveB »

Aimed a bit towards being single or you and your partner/family are going. Don't think my wife and kids would be very happy if I sold the TV and Fridge ;-)

Dave
Psamathe
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Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by Psamathe »

Interesting, but I think different people (at different ages) achieve the "getting fit" at very different speeds. Two weeks after you start (and starting gently) might be true for younger generation, but as you get older so the process of putting on muscle seems to take longer.

Not that I disagree with the points raised about lifestyle, just very unsure about the physical fitness aspects for people a bit older.

Ian
robing
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Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by robing »

Nice article, not sure I'd want to turn my house into a hostel though!
vjosullivan
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Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by vjosullivan »

Sign up for warmshowers.org. Disconnect the internet. Turn out the lights. Disconnect the electricity and sell your home? That'll confuse anyone that turns up for a room. :)
E25
Sooper8
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Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by Sooper8 »

Great!
b1galus
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Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by b1galus »

a far greater cyclist than I once said there are only three things you need to do
1) ride your bike
2)ride your bike
3) ride your bike
Pandaz
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Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by Pandaz »

Yep. Ride longer distance rides everytime.

there's no substitute for miles!
vjosullivan
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Joined: 31 Oct 2010, 12:06am

Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by vjosullivan »

Pandaz wrote:...there's no substitute for miles!

Kilometers?
E25
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Farawayvisions
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Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by Farawayvisions »

Just go. You'll get fitter day by day.

I went on a long trip - gave away all my 'stuff'. Practised living on my own in a small house first.

The-cottage-comp1.jpg
gplhl
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Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by gplhl »

Tom Allen, a very nice guy as are most long distance tourers I've met! His words were very inspirational to me when I was planning my current trip. I was getting bogged down in planning until I read his website. :-)

Gary
www.longbikeride.co.uk
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CJ
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Re: How to train for long distance cycle touring

Post by CJ »

Farawayvisions wrote:Just go. You'll get fitter day by day.
The-cottage-comp1.jpg

Only if you start off slow and don't push yourself to ride further in a day than feels comfortable. Too much too early will wear out and discourage you.

Anyone who rides the End to End will meet a number of people who on Day1 rode as far as they thought they could or should be able to go in one day (probably after reading too many articles about it!). Day2 they struggled to do the same again. Day3 finished in the dark with saddle sores. Day4 added a painful knee and by half way were in a very sorry state and considering abandoning the trip.

So by all means just get out and ride, but not too far until you're thoroughly 'ridden in'. This may take only a couple of weeks if you're 20-something, but a month or three for oldies.

As a rule of thumb, you can expect to enjoy riding about two-thirds as far day after day, with luggage, compared to your longest recent one-day ride. If after a week at that rate you want to go a bit further, that's good.
Chris Juden
One lady owner, never raced or jumped.
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