The practice cycles are very important and permit participants:
- Get an idea of their individual level of fitness
- Pick a group of cyclists of their own ability and get to know them
- Get practice at cycling as part of a group
- This is a very important technique which needs practice
- Have the opportunity to meet all the other cyclists
- Have an opportunity to get used to cycling with feet strapped in or attached to pedal
- To find and correct any mechanical problems on the bike and set-up the bike in the most efficient manner
- Practice Map reading and following
- Give the support teams the opportunity to practice their routines
Be under no illusion that the cycle is easy.
There maybe days that you will ask yourself why you signed up for this cycle.
You will be cycling between 40 and 60 miles on six consecutive days in all sorts of weather.
Rain , hailstones , cold , wind , hills and sunshine are all possible and often there will be a mixture of the lot in one day.
Of course there is always the possibility of beautiful weather.
But no matter what, it is crucial that you prepare properly.
If you are fit next June you will enjoy the event.
If you are not fit, it will be a long road……………..
If starting from scratch and you do not have a base level of fitness we recommend that you should first of all go to your doctor for a check up.
Before you start it is essential to get proper padded cycling shorts.
These can be worn under “cycling “ tracksuit bottom or on their own in fine weather.
It is ill—advised to wear underwear as well as cycle togs!!!
In cold weather long cycle tights will keep the extremities warm.
Ordinary tracksuit bottoms are not recommended as they are not tight and therefore may chaff the insides of legs from the constant rubbing.
They could also cause an accident by getting caught in the chain.
It is important initially not to overdo the training. You need to get used to your bike and build up your fitness slowly. Cycling can literally become a pain in the butt if you progress too quickly.
The following programme should be used as a guide if you have no cycling experience and enjoy a low level of fitness.
As you get stronger and fitter you may increase the mileage when you feel capable of doing more. It is not a disaster if you miss an odd couple of days of your training programme.
The secret to getting fit for this event is to do a little often.
If you have to miss out on training due to weather , work etc., do something else.
Walk, jog or go to the gym.
Assuming that you will being the programme in Mid—September, you will have this part completed by early November , giving you until the end of April to
complete the second part of the programme.
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