Planning my first longer road ride.

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

I'm sitting here, thinking what to aim to do next, as I often do. I reckon I could cycle to my dads house, he lives near Gosport, and I live in Bedford.

I'd like to leave my bicycle there, and get a lift back, so would be nice to do this when I get a new bicycle and take my old one down there.

So if I break down and can't fix it, is breakdown cover any good, worth having?

I've never really cycled more than 40 miles, but didn't find it particularly difficult.

Actually, I thought it was going to be 150+ miles, following the same b roads I take little motorcycles on, but looking at google maps, and clicking the cycle button, it's 125 miles, and must be doable with a bit of training. Little more than doing London to Brighton and back again, and I've seen plenty of event finishers cycle home again from Brighton...

Any advice?

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Breakdown cover? Aren't you meant to find the nearest bike shop for parts or failing that get yourself to the nearest train station? Razz

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

bamt · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Dec 2013 Karma :

All you really need is a mobile phone, some shoes you can walk in and a lock. If you can't fix a problem with the tools you have with you then you can call for help, or call a taxi (possibly abandoning the locked up bike to pick up later) and get to a train station.

If you carry basic tools (and know how to use them), a pump and spare tubes/patches you are unlikely to get an issue you can't bodge on the road. I also carry quick-links for the chain, some cable ties, spare cables and some tape.

weasley · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Karma :

For a ride like that I would carry a couple of inner tubes, a pump, some tyre levers and a multi-tool that I knew did the important bolts and screws. I always carry most of this anyway, in a bottle cage tool kit (only room for 1 tube but the rest goes in there). I would also carry water and some food I can eat on the go... fig rolls, jelly babies. But these are things you can stop for (worth checking out if there are any cafes along the way you might aim for as a mid-ride break) so just make sure the bike is in good order and go.
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kgm · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2015 Karma :

There's really not much planning needed. I cycled to Norway without planning more than a day ahead. The only spares we carried were inner tubes and some basic tools. There's not many places in western Europe where you're that far out from accessible help outside of the mountains. Even then...

125 miles in a day is potentially doable but only with the right bike. Even at the tail end of my Norway trip when inwas in awesome condition forn it more than 80 miles was hard going on the hardtail mtb i used. My mates hybrid with larger wheels made it much easier. Clipless pedals and proper shoes make distance riding much easier. Unti I switched to those long days were giving me knee issues.

bamt · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Dec 2013 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Plan to do it when it's not a) Pissing it down and b) Blowing a gale in your face.

Eat BEFORE you feel hungry.

Spare tube, tyre levers, pump. Multitool. If you're being really paranoid, take a multitool that has a chain rivetter then if you get a gear failure, you can shorten back the chain and single-speed it.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

Paris2 · Nearly there... Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Karma :

What type of bike is this?

I think that would make a huge difference to the experience/success.
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Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

A spare derailleur hanger can be very useful. The chances of you needing it are pretty slim but they weigh next to nothing and if you need one then you really need one.

I love my camelbak and would totally recommend them.

As far as is breakdown cover any good, don't they just take you to the nearest bike shop / home / pay for a taxi / something like that?

I wouldn't bother with the breakdown cover. Laughing

What Stinky says about rain and gales is a good point

weasley · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Karma :

I carry a derailleur hanger and wear a hydration pack for MTB rides, but not on the road bike. You're right, they weigh nothing and can fix a potential disaster, but the chances of wrecking a derailleur on the road are pretty slim (and if you do you can always do the stinkwheel singlespeed mod).

But the earlier question about the bike is a good one - the difference in effort to get a cheap MTB over that distance compared to even a half-decent road bike will be considerable. As will the time taken to do it.
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~~Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT~~ | BMW F900XR TE

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

I can fix flat tyre, derailleurs are a dark art that I do not understand.

When I did long distance hiking, (longest walk 65+miles) I was eating over 5,000kcal a day Laughing

, it is great stuffing your face and losing weight

My bicycle is a Marin hybrid that I got second hand for free.

https://s20.postimg.org/rcg216fsd/WP_20171012_09_25_10_Pro.jpg

TbirdX · Crazy Courier Joined: 06 Dec 2015 Karma :

You need,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01xasUtlvw

Bicycle repair man....
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VFR800X - CFMoto 450MT - TTR250

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

You're in the wrong gear. Razz

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Remember vertical distance is as important as horizontal when planning.

I did this on my holiday to Faro later last year. "only" 80km but damn! I'm 17.5 stone and I take a lot of hauling up a hill. Way home was faster...

https://cdn.bcf.44bytes.net/files/screenshot_at_2018-02-14_18-55-53.png
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

Dave.... · Trackday Trickster Joined: 13 May 2016 Karma :

Longest I have done is 115 miles and could have done more.
Travel light, pace yourself and only take the basics and money/phone.
If you can fix a puncture and join a chain back together that covers about as much as you can do on the road.
Watch weather as a headwind in pissing rain will wipe you out and take care which roads you choose.
If you have done 40 miles then you will do it no problem.
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Honda Africa Twin

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

I might need to think again, I just did a 38 mile ride, and I'm tired. Also, I go to pieces if I have to pedal uphill against the wind.

Took me around 3hrs, with two short rest breaks.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

In fairness, there's a fair bit of elevation gain there. Roughly 10m per km?

Maybe find a route with less hills?
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

Dave.... · Trackday Trickster Joined: 13 May 2016 Karma :

A downhill circular route is the preferred option. Wink

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Honda Africa Twin

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

put a bit more effort in today, wore my Ogio flight vest;
https://www.motolegends.com/accessories/ogio-flight-vest-black.html

like that ^^

filled 2litre camel hump, food, spare warm gloves, tools, wallet etc

So, I didn't get off of the bike once, and never stopped to fiddle with strava app, I ate and drank in the saddle. Pumped my tyres up to just over 60psi which helped.

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

Really went for it today, had a days green laning yesterday and set off with wobbly legs.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

I've found going from 20-60 miles is a piece of piss, going from 60-100 is much harder. The most I've managed is 80 and I was dead after.
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TheMadRatter · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Dec 2017 Karma :

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

yeah, I guess you are right, my biggest problem now is route planning

the 120ish miles that google said.... takes me down the A1 Shocked

I have all the OS maps for the country online, so I suppose I can plot a route, and make some sort of "road book" up for the journey

I'm thinking of riding much of the route on my 250cc and making notes, I have to go that way soon anyway.