Remember when I said that I was going to cycle from London to Paris? Well it’s now only 4.5 weeks ago and it’s all getting a bit real.
This is what happens when you let Google Maps take you down ‘cycle paths’
We’ve written up our kit lists, we’ve received some amazing kit to train in and for the trip (more on that in another post before we leave) and we’ve been getting out on the bikes as much as possible. So how’s that all been going?
Here are some stats and things I’ve learnt from training so far:
- Well over 245 miles clocked up so far
- 5 long rides
- Countless mini rides (less than 5 miles each)
- 3 MyProtein blackcurrant gels swallowed
- 1 portion of fish and chips on Southend Pier
- 2.5 cans of diet coke
- 0 punctures (I know, I’ve just jinxed it)
- 54 billion hills (accurate stat, honest)
- 1 stolen bike
- 1 new bike
- My uphill technique needs work. My downhill technique needs to be given a sense of mortality and I need to use my brakes more often
- All food tastes better after 4 hours in the saddle
- I need to fuel better and more often so I don’t bonk (hit the wall)
- The foam roller is my quads’ best friend
- Long-distance cycling creates exhaustion like nothing else I’ve ever experienced
- Cycling tan lines are ridiculous and suncream must be worn even if it’s not sunny
Post fish and chips feast in Southend
The plan for the next 4 weeks is 3 more long rides including one to Brighton and another one to Southend. The midweek rides will also be upped that I’m riding on consecutive days to get my legs used to working a few days in a row. I’ll also be experimenting a bit more with my fuelling and trying to get food in more often to keep my energy up.
Do you have any tips on fuelling for endurance challenges where you’re working out for 6+ hours at a time?