Fatal Swan
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Ever since I started going to the north east where my wife's family are I've fancied doing to the coast to coast ride (they live literally backing onto part of the route near Consett). This summer I want to do it, and to challenge myself to achieve something I'd feel proud of I'd like to give it a bash in a day - I guess something like 7am to 9pm. It will probably on my own, though I have a brother-in-law who might tag along.I'd love to hear any good advice on the route/planning/training etc from anyone who's done the route or day-long rides of this kind of length (probably going to be around 125-130 miles).
I'm late 30's, reasonably fit. I mostly ride on the road nowadays and while I don't get out so much having a young family, when I do I tend to do 30-35 miles inside a couple of hours. Again, as the years have passed I've started to run more than I ride (takes less time, I can do it in the dark when the kids are in bed) and I run 5K in about 21mins, 10K in about 45. So I'm quite active but have almost no experience near the C2C distance. Over Christmas I decided I wanted the challenge of riding solo to my parents' house, 90 miles away. I managed it, and learned a lot in the process. Mostly about needing to fuel properly over that length of activity. Also about not choosing a day with a stiff westerly breeze to ride 90 miles due west :roll: The mental side of needing to self-motivate was also something I hadn't considered either until I was 50 miles in and struggling!
Gear-wise, I'll either take the modern road bike (viewtopic.php?f=23&t=317602&start=10) modified with a big cassette, or if possible the '94 Dyna Tech Diablo set up for the road (viewtopic.php?f=6&t=292714&start=30). Garmin Edge 1000 should take care of the navigation (it did a great job on the 90-mile ride at Christmas) and I've mapped a provisional gpx out on Strava, largely following the C2C route but with some adjustments here and there avoiding anything too rough. The kit will go in a rucksack. I'll only do it if the weather's favourable and there's a clear day while I'm up there over the summer.
Any advice? Cheers!
Edit - it happened, the report is here if you want to skip to it: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=381405&p=2849031#p2849031
I'm late 30's, reasonably fit. I mostly ride on the road nowadays and while I don't get out so much having a young family, when I do I tend to do 30-35 miles inside a couple of hours. Again, as the years have passed I've started to run more than I ride (takes less time, I can do it in the dark when the kids are in bed) and I run 5K in about 21mins, 10K in about 45. So I'm quite active but have almost no experience near the C2C distance. Over Christmas I decided I wanted the challenge of riding solo to my parents' house, 90 miles away. I managed it, and learned a lot in the process. Mostly about needing to fuel properly over that length of activity. Also about not choosing a day with a stiff westerly breeze to ride 90 miles due west :roll: The mental side of needing to self-motivate was also something I hadn't considered either until I was 50 miles in and struggling!
Gear-wise, I'll either take the modern road bike (viewtopic.php?f=23&t=317602&start=10) modified with a big cassette, or if possible the '94 Dyna Tech Diablo set up for the road (viewtopic.php?f=6&t=292714&start=30). Garmin Edge 1000 should take care of the navigation (it did a great job on the 90-mile ride at Christmas) and I've mapped a provisional gpx out on Strava, largely following the C2C route but with some adjustments here and there avoiding anything too rough. The kit will go in a rucksack. I'll only do it if the weather's favourable and there's a clear day while I'm up there over the summer.
Any advice? Cheers!
Edit - it happened, the report is here if you want to skip to it: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=381405&p=2849031#p2849031
