100 Mile South Downs Ride
Discussion
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Havent done any charity 'work' in my lifetime so liking a challenge Ive signed myself up for the 100 miles British Heart Foundation ride from Winchester to Eastbourne in July. This should give me enough time to train properly. However has anyone done this before? Im keen not to have to use the services of the charity afterwards!
Anyone have any experience of this - any tips?! Its off road all the way and my bike should be up to the job (Trek Fuel ex8). Im thinking about purchasing a big saddle as ive been told it takes around 13 hours!
Havent done any charity 'work' in my lifetime so liking a challenge Ive signed myself up for the 100 miles British Heart Foundation ride from Winchester to Eastbourne in July. This should give me enough time to train properly. However has anyone done this before? Im keen not to have to use the services of the charity afterwards!
Anyone have any experience of this - any tips?! Its off road all the way and my bike should be up to the job (Trek Fuel ex8). Im thinking about purchasing a big saddle as ive been told it takes around 13 hours!
king hard work for you and your bike ( lots of spares needed ) and it will take longer than 13hours.
Good on you. Nice challenge and for a good cause.
Advice: Stay hydrated and keep taking additional nutrients throughout the ride. The powdered sports drinks are v good for this I find, but try them a few times before the big ride to make sure you get on with them. Carry power bars etc and start eating small amounts early on, and often, in the ride, and if its hot (mid July) salt loss etc could effect your performance (e.g. cramps) ... oh and keep an emergency pack of jelly babies for near the end.
Otherwise conserve energy where you can, and don't get carried away with any macho sprinting from the start.
Training: ride your bike! nothing like some nice long road rides to build endurance and learn about nutrition if you have not tried it before
Advice: Stay hydrated and keep taking additional nutrients throughout the ride. The powdered sports drinks are v good for this I find, but try them a few times before the big ride to make sure you get on with them. Carry power bars etc and start eating small amounts early on, and often, in the ride, and if its hot (mid July) salt loss etc could effect your performance (e.g. cramps) ... oh and keep an emergency pack of jelly babies for near the end.
Otherwise conserve energy where you can, and don't get carried away with any macho sprinting from the start.
Training: ride your bike! nothing like some nice long road rides to build endurance and learn about nutrition if you have not tried it before
I would strongly suggest you look at longer training rides than 25-50miles, the SDW is a tough ride physically, and the time requirements make it tough mentally. You need to be comfortable with 10 hour training rides and 80 miles distance in the run up to the event, either that or have some incredible determination.
The main issues will be dealing with the combined amount of climbing and the length of the route. Three of the most tiring ascents are at the Eastbourne end so getting out now and plugging away on hills will help a lot. You need to assess what energy drinks/bars work for you, and how litle you can get away with carrying to complete the route - every extra pound in weight is going to take it's toll over time. I've not done the charity ride, but knowing where the water taps are in order to top up fluids is critical if doing it as a normal ride.
My preference would be for a hardtail or a light full sus bike to ensure you are being efficient and not carrying undue weight with you. Get as many spares on to the bike and out of your backpack as well, and if you're doing it with anyone else you might know, share the burden and split what you carry between you.
It's not a technical ride, a few descents can be slippery due to the chalk base, but overall it's very much a bridleway/hillside path. Weather conditions can have a big impact on the ride, a following wind is a major blessing and dry weather will make the path less slippery.
The main issues will be dealing with the combined amount of climbing and the length of the route. Three of the most tiring ascents are at the Eastbourne end so getting out now and plugging away on hills will help a lot. You need to assess what energy drinks/bars work for you, and how litle you can get away with carrying to complete the route - every extra pound in weight is going to take it's toll over time. I've not done the charity ride, but knowing where the water taps are in order to top up fluids is critical if doing it as a normal ride.
My preference would be for a hardtail or a light full sus bike to ensure you are being efficient and not carrying undue weight with you. Get as many spares on to the bike and out of your backpack as well, and if you're doing it with anyone else you might know, share the burden and split what you carry between you.
It's not a technical ride, a few descents can be slippery due to the chalk base, but overall it's very much a bridleway/hillside path. Weather conditions can have a big impact on the ride, a following wind is a major blessing and dry weather will make the path less slippery.
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