Help - 300 miles in 5 days

I've just got my bike and have 4months to train for this. I'm mid forties and quite fit but haven't ridden a bike since school! We're travelling up the spine of the country so mixed terrain. Any advice or training plans would be much appreciated.
0
Posts
What is more important is comfort. I'd agree with the previous poster with regard to comfy shorts and add a point about bike set up. Make sure you have the saddle height and reach set up to suit as a little niggle on a 20 mile ride can become a real pain over 50 miles..
On top of this just get the miles in as this will help with the whole comfort thing.
I was scared about 6 months to do my first 100 mile ride and frankly I could have done it after 3 pretty easily, so 60 miles a day isnt going to be too hard once you get a few miles under you, and some good bibshorts
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-crunched-C ... roduct_top
I would start with a low mileage and increase this by approx. 10% a week plus additional shorter, harder sessions.
I followed the "Beginner Century" programme in preparation for a 340-ish mile in 4 day ride (Lands End to Twickenham) - and 4 months prep should be plenty, as this programme is set to span up to 12 weeks, so you have a month beforehand to prepare!
I would recommend at least a heart rate monitor to track the training intensity, but I "up-specced" to a Garmin 500 - which was great for the actual ride as well.
I second (or 3rd, 4th etc) the advice for good bib shorts (at least two pairs - and, for me it helped to have two different brands), good (for you) saddle & bike fit.
If you are doing the ride in a group, try and train with the people involved, so you can motivate each other - failing that, try and find a local club to ride with - as this makes the longer runs in the training plan more interesting.
Neil
Help I'm Being Oppressed
Definitely agree on the quality bib shorts and crème.
Good luck – and hope you keep up cycling also after the event, maybe join a local club