Summer "holiday" training
teagar
Posts: 2,100
Hi guys.
I've just agreed to join a group of guys on a serious cycling holiday through the pyranees this summer. They do a trip like this once a year ( from what I've gathered), and it seems the premiss is that a lot of suffering should be involved.
The route in brief covers around 30 or so cols, including what looks like an awful lot of big ones. All in 5 days...
Anyway, though I'm a keen roadie, I've never undertaken anything like this before, so i'm wondering how to go about the training.
The trip is in late August, and, due to the hell that is my dissertation, I won't be able to get on a bicycle untill April 2nd.
At some point in June I also will have a week off the bike since I'm taking the GF away on holiday.
Basically, how, do you think, should i train for this?
Secondly...
I'm studying in Sheffield, and, though the hills are certainly great for training, when I see the training plans here on bikeradar with "1hr, mainly in zone 2", my heart sinks. The only way out of the city is uphill, and steep. I can't even get 1km out of my house without spending almost all if it in the granny gear pumping at zone 4/5 (and I'm not that unfit!). Any suggestions?
I've just agreed to join a group of guys on a serious cycling holiday through the pyranees this summer. They do a trip like this once a year ( from what I've gathered), and it seems the premiss is that a lot of suffering should be involved.
The route in brief covers around 30 or so cols, including what looks like an awful lot of big ones. All in 5 days...
Anyway, though I'm a keen roadie, I've never undertaken anything like this before, so i'm wondering how to go about the training.
The trip is in late August, and, due to the hell that is my dissertation, I won't be able to get on a bicycle untill April 2nd.
At some point in June I also will have a week off the bike since I'm taking the GF away on holiday.
Basically, how, do you think, should i train for this?
Secondly...
I'm studying in Sheffield, and, though the hills are certainly great for training, when I see the training plans here on bikeradar with "1hr, mainly in zone 2", my heart sinks. The only way out of the city is uphill, and steep. I can't even get 1km out of my house without spending almost all if it in the granny gear pumping at zone 4/5 (and I'm not that unfit!). Any suggestions?
Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.
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Comments
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Anyone?
Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.0 -
I don't understand why writing a dissertation means you can't cycle at all, but I went to uni ten years ago so maybe things have changed. I do work full time though and still manage to cycle most days - by commuting. This a great way to stay fit but it does have limitations - rush hour traffic is such that you can never ride at full speed (there's a lot of stop/starting and a lot of very carefully approaching junctions etc). I go to the track once or twice a week in the evenings to get some speed/power work in then do a longer ride (at least 4 hours) on a weekend. That seemed to work for me in the Alps last year - though it's not structured training in any way. I suggest you simply get used to riding the bike - try to get some long rides in at weekends to get you used to sitting on a bike for longer. I assume your trip will involved full days in the saddle so you need to be used to riding at a pace you can sustain all day. You also need to be comfortable on the bike, so taking time to fine tune your position and kit will really make a difference (no arse/leg/back ache the next day!) Of course finding some long hills and riding up them will help. There's no substitute for the real thing but the fitter and more used to long days in the saddle you are, the easier you will make it for yourself. Riding up steep hills helps you get better at riding up steep hills, but some variety and some longer mileage is probably going to be the best thing for an endurance trip such as this. Fit low gears for your trip. You honestly will use them if they are there and your legs will thank you next day - enabling you to keep going all week in reasonable comfort. There are no prizes for unnecessary suffering and discomfort! I used a triple chain set in the Alps last year with 13-27 sprockets and was faster up several climbs than some of t'lads on the trip - plus I had no leg ache all week....
Be prepared that altitude will make you pee constantly so you will need to drink, drink, drink - I suggest using something like Nuun to replace lost minerals (table salt is not the same stuff!!!). You may feel a bit ropey due to altitude too - headaches are common, no matter how fit you are. You will get stupidly hot on long climbs - take off helmet(if worn), and undo jersey zip fully etc BEFORE you start climbing to maximise cooling effect. Then wrap back up for descents. Take some arm/leg warmers and waterproof jacket etc as weather can change very suddenly in high mountains. Lastly - enjoy the trip! You'll probably find the inspiring scenery helps you keep going if you're flagging!
BTW if you are looking for some alternative terrain than the hills round Sheff'd, why not get a train out to somewhere else one weekend for a change - you'll get good discounts if you're s student.0 -
Talking of dissertation, is that the longest paragraph ever on here?
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