traning for charity ride

sirdjango
sirdjango Posts: 123
edited December 2010 in Training, fitness and health
hi, im planning to join a two day charity ride at the end of the month. its my first time to do long distance ride. the first day is a 67km hilly ride and the second day is a 171km mostly flat route. can you guys give me tips on training and preparation for this event. and also currently im on 8 speed with a standard double crank. do i really need to upgrade to 10 speed to prepare for this ride because im afraid that i might struggle in the hills with my 8 speed.
ride like the wind... with the wind... to the wind...

Comments

  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Depends on the ratio of your 8 speed. What's your lowest gear?


    Not much time to do a lot of preparation really. I'd suggest upping your mileage on an almost daily basis at this point! And try and get at least two hard back to back rides in once before the event - so your body knows how to react.

    As it's a charity ride, take it at your own pace - it's not a race. More important to finish it than arrive there first! The second day will be the tough one - just make sure to keep hydrated and fed and keep on going!

    Best of luck.
  • sirdjango
    sirdjango Posts: 123
    Pokerface wrote:
    Depends on the ratio of your 8 speed. What's your lowest gear?
    .

    my 8 speed is 12-25
    ride like the wind... with the wind... to the wind...
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    sirdjango wrote:
    Pokerface wrote:
    Depends on the ratio of your 8 speed. What's your lowest gear?
    .

    my 8 speed is 12-25


    Guess it will depend on your own fitness and comfort level - and the size of the hills! 39-25 is enough for a lot of people to climb comfortably.

    If you're going to be tackling 20% gradients, you might want a 27. If they are rolling hills, you should be OK. But it's down to you!

    Can you get a 27 on an 8-speed cassette?
  • Buckled_Rims
    Buckled_Rims Posts: 1,648
    10 speeds usually cover the same ground as 8 speeds, it's just they have a closer ratio somewhere in the lower ratios. If you have an 8 speed with (compact) 34t front and 25t cassette, this is exactly the same as a 10 speed with 34t/25t.

    Your front chainset is either going to be a standard at 39/53 or a compact at 34/50. For the risk of being flamed (and I have been for mentioning this) a compact is better suited to a beginner then a standard especially if hills are involved.

    If you have a compact, great, just get a new cassette with 12-27 or if you're a Campy I think you might get up to 29t. This will cope with 99% of roads and hills you should encounter.
    CAAD9
    Kona Jake the Snake
    Merlin Malt 4
  • 16mm
    16mm Posts: 545
    If its a charity ride then just walk up anything that you can't up on a 25. You'll we walking at about the same speed as riding anyhow.

    Basically training should involve getting used to riding a bike for the amount of time you'll be riding for. Get your bum, wrists, back and neck used to riding the bike, so you're comfortable. Then you'll enjoy the rides and be back for more.

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