London to Paris training help

andyuk1974

Hi all

I have a space doing the London to Paris ride for the Royal British Legion in september. I am looking for some training advice as this will be my first time at such a event. I ham currently doing 30 mins on a turbo trainer every other day. If people have any advice as to what to include in training plan and what sort of things i now need to start doing.

Thanks

Bhima

How long is the distance of the trip?

Can you do that distance?

If not, go out every day and add a mile or two to your training every few days - build it up slowly until you can do the distance easily.

It's better the get out there and try to do the distance as turbo trainers wont give you an accurate picture.

Just try to do the distance and, only then, try and do the distance quicker each time if you want to do the Paris ride as quickly as possible (is it some kind of race?).

Shezzer

Bhima is right ... build up your distance slowly and you'll avoid injury. There's a common rule of 10% ie increase your total weekly mileage by not more than 10% and your longest ride should be no more than 10% longer than your previous best. Based on this and the 6 months you have to train you should be able to easily (and safely) get up to the required distance.

Turbos are good for training when the weather is crappy or if you're focussing on improving pedalling technique but there's nothing like training on the roads. Being outdoors on the bike will get you more accustomed to hills, headwinds, avoiding potholes, etc which you will come across during the event.

Good luck with the training and the event. Let us know how it's going.

andyuk1974

Hi guys

Thanks for the advice it is well noted.

Bhima for your information it is 280 miles over 4 days and i will be in the 10mph speed group as i just want to make sure that i get to the end.

Shezzer thanks for the welcome adivce im upgrading my bike in the next week so once thats done and my lbs said they will help with making sure that its fitted and set up is ok, i can get out on the roads.

Thanks again

chill123

HI. I did london to paris a couple of years ago - it is a great ride!

the key to successful training is using a structured plan that incorporates different kind of workouts. you need to get the right balance of power, endurance recovery, speed workouts just right to get the best from your body.

LorneC

Have you not received a training plan from the Royal British Legion?

I am doing L2P for Action Medical Research this summer (Route 4 - 343miles) and the initial pack sent to me included two possible training programmes - one 20 week (+taper week) for beginners/social cyclists and a 10 week (including taper week) to follow:

PM me your email address and I can scan these in and send it you.

sicrow

LorneC wrote:

Have you not received a training plan from the Royal British Legion?

I am doing L2P for Action Medical Research this summer (Route 4 - 343miles) and the initial pack sent to me included two possible training programmes - one 20 week (+taper week) for beginners/social cyclists and a 10 week (including taper week) to follow:

PM me your email address and I can scan these in and send it you.

See you there Lorne i'm on route 3

Pokerface

I did L2P last year and it was a blast!

As far as training goes - it will depend on your overall level of fitness. There were people on the ride that hadn't been on a bike in years (and pulled their 20 year old bike out of the shed for the event) - and even a couple of girls who had NEVER ridden a bike before! And they did it on heavy mountain bikes with no special equipment (think £99 Halford's special).

The ride is structured in such a way that you can go at your own pace and you stop regularly for food and water. There are no major hills to climb either.

There may be at least one long day in there - so get used to being in the saddle for many hours at a time (even with the rest stops).

I would recommend getting out on the weekends for a minimum of 3 hours at a time over the coming months - simply to get used to the time in the saddle.

I personally did a LOT of riding prior to the event (almost every day for months), but I had the time to do it. And I spent every day trying to be one of the first people to get to the next rest stop or hotel. Some people arrived several hours after I did.

Good luck and enjoy!

sithebike

I did L2P last year, It rained for 3 of the 4 days but I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute.
Have you received a training plan from the charity yet? If not look on the internet and you should be able to find one.
If you are in the 10mph group just concentrate on long steady miles, getting plenty of miles in your legs and backside!! but remember to slowly increase your mileage.. general rule is 10% a week to avoid injury.
The longest day we did was 96 miles
Each day is well structured with plenty of food and water stops, the support team will brief you in the morning before the start of the day's riding what the route will be like.
Make sure you have got some decent cycling shorts
Good luck for the ride... you'll love it

Pokerface

giantscr2.0 wrote:

I did L2P last year, It rained for 3 of the 4 days but I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute.

You must have been on the ride the week before me. I remember them saying how miserable it was. We arrived in Paris for the final day of the Tour de France - and had sunshine every day!

sithebike

Must be, we were 1 week to early to see the tour, all the stands were in place.
Even though it rained.. it was heavy rain!! I still want to do it again.
It is a great sense of achievement.