Longish ride, few questions training, clothing,

[jakesmith]

Hi, I'm doing a Bristol - London cycle next month (mid Oct), it's all along canal paths so on the flat, with 1 other person, for charity.

I haven't done any training for this yet as I pulled a calf muscle 2 weeks ago and it is greatly recovered but not 100% yet so don't want to aggravate it
I normally cycle about 20 miles round Surrey Hills (quite hilly) on my hybrid bike and don't find it too difficult, this is more like 40 miles a day
We're staying in B&Bs along the way BTW

Should I do any training for this & how much? Or just leave it so my calf is as well recovered as possible to avoid re-injury?

Also what gear would you wear, for the SE England in October? I'm guessing we'll be on the bikes for 4-5 hours a day so is there any point wearing anything more than light waterproof top & some leggings, if there is heavy rain surely everything will fail over that time period

And finally, what about a more comfy saddle... I am not overweight, not big, any recomendations for something really suited to a longish few days of rides?

[r1mike1983]

I’d just keep up with the 20 mile rides you do for training. If you don’t struggle with those I can’t see 40 miles along the canal path being a struggle for you either.

[RoadToad84]

Agree with the previous poster. 40 flat miles at a steady pace is unlikely to bks ya. Just keep hydrated

[Dnlm]

On the canal paths around bath, a loud bell is a must have! you might get annoyed doing those narrow routes with walkers on for so long - 10 miles was more than enough for me during a recent gravel ride.

Otherwise agree with above posters re kit not being a big issue

[jakesmith]

THanks chaps, what sort of saddle should I get for comfort? I don't know anything about bike equipment / brands

[Evanivitch]

jakesmith said:

THanks chaps, what sort of saddle should I get for comfort? I don't know anything about bike equipment / brands

Padded bib shorts will be better than a change in seat, IMO.

[RoadToad84]

Evanivitch said:

Padded bib shorts will be better than a change in seat, IMO.

Seconded. You'll get used to the discomfort after a couple of days. Do ensure you've got your saddle height correct though.

[numtumfutunch]

RoadToad84 said:

Evanivitch said:

Padded bib shorts will be better than a change in seat, IMO.

Seconded. You'll get used to the discomfort after a couple of days. Do ensure you've got your saddle height correct though.

Thirded

If you sat on my best bikes saddle youd be sobbing like a baby in 2 minutes

With 'proper' bibs I can ride all day

Saddle is carbon and weighs nothing hence why I love it despite its minimalist approach to padding - which is unecessary if youre wearing the right kit

Good luck, and enjoy the ride

[Gruffy]

Don't change your saddle at this point. It's a minefield trying to find a saddle that works well as everybody is different. There's no universal recommendation for a saddle that will be comfortable. Stick with what you know. Cycling shorts with a chamois pad (worn without underwear) will be much more straightforward.

[Evanivitch]

Evanivitch said:

jakesmith said:

THanks chaps, what sort of saddle should I get for comfort? I don't know anything about bike equipment / brands

Padded bib shorts will be better than a change in seat, IMO.

DHB are a decent starter brand.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-bib-shorts-1?la...

[RoadToad84]

Evanivitch said:

DHB are a decent starter brand.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-bib-shorts-1?la...

Planet X are good if you catch them at one of their clearance events.

[deeen]

Agree re padded shorts / leggings! For wet weather, I'd say waterproof overshoes, and I might be in a minority but I'd go with mudguards, so at least the bike isn't throwing the water back up at you!

[Evanivitch]

deeen said:

Agree re padded shorts / leggings! For wet weather, I'd say waterproof overshoes, and I might be in a minority but I'd go with mudguards, so at least the bike isn't throwing the water back up at you!

I prefer SealSkinz socks myself, a bit pricey, but simple to add to cycling kit list.

[RoadToad84]

Evanivitch said:

I prefer SealSkinz socks myself, a bit pricey, but simple to add to cycling kit list.

I've been tempted a couple times by these. Are they effective? Got at work swears by toe covers, but I'm not keen

[RoadToad84]

deeen said:

Agree re padded shorts / leggings! For wet weather, I'd say waterproof overshoes, and I might be in a minority but I'd go with mudguards, so at least the bike isn't throwing the water back up at you!

+1 for mudguards. I got a set of removable full fenders for my gravel bike for the winter months. They've not come off since. They suit the bike and aren't causing much drag (certainly not enough at my ability level) and keep me and the bike much cleaner

[Evanivitch]

RoadToad84 said:

Evanivitch said:

I prefer SealSkinz socks myself, a bit pricey, but simple to add to cycling kit list.

I've been tempted a couple times by these. Are they effective? Got at work swears by toe covers, but I'm not keen

Yes. I use them for cycling and weekends in wet ditches (when there's not too much walking involved).

[RoadToad84]

Evanivitch said:

Yes. I use them for cycling and weekends in wet ditches (when there's not too much walking involved).

Re: walking, is that cos they aren't breathable? I'm a bit of a sweaty bugger at the best of times.

[Evanivitch]

RoadToad84 said:

Evanivitch said:

Yes. I use them for cycling and weekends in wet ditches (when there's not too much walking involved).

Re: walking, is that cos they aren't breathable? I'm a bit of a sweaty bugger at the best of times.

They're just not the best for blister/hotspot management. I'd rather carry additional pairs of dry socks in that scenario.

[millen]

One possible issue, especially if rainy, is whether you can dry out your kit overnight at the B&Bs. On an October 8-day tour of the Scottish Isles we stayed mainly in hostels, which all had brilliant drying rooms for hikers etc. One night in a B&B wasn't so good - heating not yet on so resorted to using all the supplied bath towels to extract moisture before the next morning.

[Gruffy]

Ultra racers trick is to rinse the kit, lay it on a towel which you then roll up and walk up and down. That sucks most of the moisture out and then it's likely to be 'dry enough' in the morning. Getting the salt out is more important than it being bone dry.