After you’ve finished all the hard work of getting a big bike ready for the journey ahead, the last couple of weeks see you getting your physical fitness into top gear. This means gradually increasing your mileage to nearer your maximum, and ensuring you’ve got everything in place in your saddle bags.
For many cyclists, a long-distance ride is a rite of passage, a way to test and train themselves for longer, more remote rides. But no matter how much you practice, you can’t ride a long-distance ride until you’ve ridden a shorter distance. So, what’s the best way to prepare? Here are five tips to help you tackle your first long-distance ride.
If you’re planning to do a long-distance ride, then you’re gonna need some extra stuff. Whether you’re going on a day ride, an overnight mission, or even if you’re riding a century, you’re going to need a few extra things on your bike to make your ride safe and comfortable.. Read more about far ride and let us know what you think.
Sean Conway, the world-record-holding endurance adventure cyclist, explains the requirements for conquering a lengthy ride.
1. Get your bike used to it.
Before embarking on a multi-day or multi-week trip, familiarize yourself with your bike and understand its quirks via training rides.
For my round-the-world journey, I purchased a used Trek Madone on eBay and customized it. I modified my a slightly for my trans-Europe effort, installing electronic gears (Shimano Ultegra Di2) with a remote at the end of my aero bar to make shifting easier.
2. Work on your strength.
I’m lucky in that I have a lot of ‘endurance.’ I have no difficulty riding for hours, but I find that practicing hill climbs before a long ride helps me build up extra muscle and stamina.
It’s easy to forget that you need that extra strength in the saddle when you’re carrying your own stuff.
3. Keep your thoughts busy.
It helps to have some cerebral stimulation along the way, something to keep you going when the going gets difficult. My vital data and physiological responses were being tracked for a scientific research throughout my European record attempt, which kept me focused. It also helps to keep up with my progress on social media and to carry notes from loved ones that I open every 1000 kilometers.
4. Take some time to ponder
After getting struck by a vehicle while riding across America, I customized my cycling gear with luminous tape and material to guarantee I’m visible on the road. I’ve sewed luminous fabric into my arm warmers, taped everything, and while I’m not riding, I’ll cover my panniers with my reflective waterproofs.
5. Be prepared for the unexpected.
I created a handmade toolkit using the tools that are most suited to my bike. Generics are OK, but if you’ve modified your bike, be sure you can quickly repair it while on the road.
I also have a first-aid box with basics like caffeine pills to keep me alert, paracetamol to relieve aches, and a variety of plasters in case anything happens.
Sean is covered by Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance, which covers UK citizens riding anywhere in the globe.
As with any fitness activity, cycling is as tough as it is rewarding. You spend hours pedaling, but the return on your efforts is in the invisible and silent efforts of your legs and your lungs. It’s these hidden costs of cycling that can make you want to quit after just a single hard day on the bike. But, you can’t quit, you have to keep going. That means you need to make sure you’re fighting the invisible costs too. So, here are five simple tips that will help you get through a long-distance ride and feel good about it.. Read more about things to do before a long bike ride and let us know what you think.
Related Tags
This article broadly covered the following related topics:
- long distance bicycle
- far ride
- tips for long bike ride
- what is considered a long distance bike ride
- how to stay comfortable on a long bike ride
