How are we preparing for LEJOG?
Fathead's Prep
I will be trying to get out on my bike for a ride most weekends, although with a young baby, that is not always possible. However, as I live in Bromley, I am able to commute to work by bike. The journery is approximately 12 miles each way. As of mid Jan, I have been cycling to and from work 2 or 3 times a week which means that I can be clocking up just over 70 miles a week, which sounds quite good until I consider that I will need to do cycle approaching that distance every day for 16 days!
I am rather hoping that the cycling in September will be slightly more relaxing than the gaunlet that I have to run each morning competing with White Van Man, Bendy Buses, Motorcycle Couriers, Pedestrian's plugged into iPod world, and other cyclists who seem to have a death wish!
I am rather hoping that the cycling in September will be slightly more relaxing than the gaunlet that I have to run each morning competing with White Van Man, Bendy Buses, Motorcycle Couriers, Pedestrian's plugged into iPod world, and other cyclists who seem to have a death wish!
Pinhead's Prep
I have been trying to get out on my bike at weekends and during the week although due to changing shifts at work, as well as having two kids, a missus, a new house, and the miserable British weather to contend with, it’s not always possible. However, I have tried to be as strict and regimented as possible.
As well as riding the roads of Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas I have invested in a Tacx Cycle trainer to help me with building up both fitness and stamina indoors if the weather turns or I can sneak in an hour or two. So far it has helped immensely and would recommend it to anyone. It can become a bit boring if you just sit there cycling at the same pace but I have made up some training programs from Tacx’s website which is very useful and make for a much better workout. You have to keep pushing yourself!
As well as riding the roads of Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas I have invested in a Tacx Cycle trainer to help me with building up both fitness and stamina indoors if the weather turns or I can sneak in an hour or two. So far it has helped immensely and would recommend it to anyone. It can become a bit boring if you just sit there cycling at the same pace but I have made up some training programs from Tacx’s website which is very useful and make for a much better workout. You have to keep pushing yourself!
In addition to putting in the miles either during the week or at weekends we will also be taking part in various Audax events and the Evans Cycles 'Ride It' sportives.
An Audax event is a long distance cycle ride where you are given a route sheet and you have to visit certain checkpoints to prove that you have completed the distance. It is not a race against others, but a race against time as you have to complete the distance in a certain time and each checkpoint has a cut-off time. For more info on Audax, click HERE
Either both of us or one of us will be taking part in the following:
Date:
Sun 28th Mar
Sun 4th Apr
Sun 9th May
Sun 13th Jun
Sun 4th Jul
Sun 25th Jul
Sun 15th Aug
Sun 28th Mar
Sun 4th Apr
Sun 9th May
Sun 13th Jun
Sun 4th Jul
Sun 25th Jul
Sun 15th Aug
Event:
Start of Summertime Special
The Triple H
New Forest 150
Evans Cycles 'Ride It'
Two Counties 100
Evans Cycles 'Ride It'
Tour of the Hills
Start of Summertime Special
The Triple H
New Forest 150
Evans Cycles 'Ride It'
Two Counties 100
Evans Cycles 'Ride It'
Tour of the Hills
Location:
Stevenage, Hertfordhsire
Hailsham, Sussex
Lymington, Hampshire
Dorking, Surrey
Bengeo, Hertfordshire
Brighton, Sussex
Shere, Surrey
Stevenage, Hertfordhsire
Hailsham, Sussex
Lymington, Hampshire
Dorking, Surrey
Bengeo, Hertfordshire
Brighton, Sussex
Shere, Surrey
Distance:
115kms (71.5 miles)
112kms (69.6 miles)
160kms (99.4 miles)
96.5 kms (60.0 miles)
110 kms (68.5 miles)
96.5 kms (60.0 miles)
115kms (71.5 miles)
115kms (71.5 miles)
112kms (69.6 miles)
160kms (99.4 miles)
96.5 kms (60.0 miles)
110 kms (68.5 miles)
96.5 kms (60.0 miles)
115kms (71.5 miles)
What kit will we be taking on the ride?
We are doing the ride unsupported so we will have to carry everything either on our bike or on our person. So the less we can carry the easier it will be. The majority of our kit lists will be very similar.
Cycling Apparal:
We will both have 2 sets of Cycling Shorts, Cycling Shirts and Cyling Socks. This will enable us to wash one set each evening and wear the clean set the following day. In addition our cycling kit will both include a base layer, a windproof gillet/jacket, a waterproof jacket, fingerless gloves, windproof gloves, Helmet and sunglasses.
Casual Clothes:
1 pair of trousers with zip off legs, hey presto trousers and shorts 2 in 1, a couple of T-shirts, two sets of under wear. Apparantly, you can get 4 days wear out of a pair of boxershorts: Day 1-wear them normally, Day 2-wear them back to front, Day 3-inside out but wearing them normally, Day 4- inside out and back to front. However, our underwear will be joining the daily wash cycle. One long sleeved top. Lightweight shoes
Bike Maintenance:
We will both be carrying 2 spare inner tubes, multi tool, tyre levers, puncture repair kit, tyre boot, spare brake cable, spare gear cable, zip ties, spare chain links, a C02 pump with spare cannisters and spare spokes
The Bikes:
Below are our trusty steads with the main components detailed. We have both gone for Tubus 'Cosmo' racks with Ortlieb 'Back Roller Classic' panniers
Cycling Apparal:
We will both have 2 sets of Cycling Shorts, Cycling Shirts and Cyling Socks. This will enable us to wash one set each evening and wear the clean set the following day. In addition our cycling kit will both include a base layer, a windproof gillet/jacket, a waterproof jacket, fingerless gloves, windproof gloves, Helmet and sunglasses.
Casual Clothes:
1 pair of trousers with zip off legs, hey presto trousers and shorts 2 in 1, a couple of T-shirts, two sets of under wear. Apparantly, you can get 4 days wear out of a pair of boxershorts: Day 1-wear them normally, Day 2-wear them back to front, Day 3-inside out but wearing them normally, Day 4- inside out and back to front. However, our underwear will be joining the daily wash cycle. One long sleeved top. Lightweight shoes
Bike Maintenance:
We will both be carrying 2 spare inner tubes, multi tool, tyre levers, puncture repair kit, tyre boot, spare brake cable, spare gear cable, zip ties, spare chain links, a C02 pump with spare cannisters and spare spokes
The Bikes:
Below are our trusty steads with the main components detailed. We have both gone for Tubus 'Cosmo' racks with Ortlieb 'Back Roller Classic' panniers
Fathead's Bike
Pinhead's Bike
Bike:
Chainset:
Cassette:
Wheels:
Tyres:
Pedals:
Saddle:
Chainset:
Cassette:
Wheels:
Tyres:
Pedals:
Saddle:
Condor Fratello
SRAM Rival Compact 50/34
SRAM Apex 10sp 11-32
Ambrosio Evolution, 36 spokes
Continental Gatorskin Hardshell 700x28
Crank Brothers Candy C
Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow
SRAM Rival Compact 50/34
SRAM Apex 10sp 11-32
Ambrosio Evolution, 36 spokes
Continental Gatorskin Hardshell 700x28
Crank Brothers Candy C
Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow
Bike:
Chainset:
Cassette:
Wheels:
Tyres:
Pedals:
Saddle:
Chainset:
Cassette:
Wheels:
Tyres:
Pedals:
Saddle:
Specialized Hardrock Comp
Truvativ X-Forge Triple 42/32/22
Shimano 8sp 11-30
Alex DM20, 32 spokes
Continental Sport Contact 26x1.3
Shimano M-520 SPD
Selle San Marco Ponza
Truvativ X-Forge Triple 42/32/22
Shimano 8sp 11-30
Alex DM20, 32 spokes
Continental Sport Contact 26x1.3
Shimano M-520 SPD
Selle San Marco Ponza
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