Cycling - London to Paris?

[triple9tommy]

Hi all

Last February, my girlfriend was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, age 19.
She was treated with an agressive form of chemotherapy, and has thankfully been in remission [no leukaemia] for nearly a year. Im just finishing off my Uni course [been a busy couple of years for us!] and ive FINALLY decided to do something worthwhile to payback a very small amount of the treatment Carla received, living in and out of hospital for 6 months.

We talked amongst friends about doing a charity cycle ride, 'Portsmouth to Paris'.
However Clic Sargent, a charity who focus on children with cancer, are organising a ride, London-Paris in September 2012.

I have a road bike, and like going to the gym. However, this is a great excuse to get fitter, and im in a pretty manual job already.

I know many of you guys like your cycles...has anyone ever done a similar ride?
What general tips would you guys suggest for training for an event like this?!

Cheers Tom

 

[Karl]

I take my hat off to you. Trust you will feel alot of pain doing the ride but once done it will be worth it and make you feel so good to have done something to help people in need.

All i would say is go out cycling on weekends i normally do sundays as there peiceful plus i work every other saturday. Do as many miles as your body can cope with and push yourself each week. Also in between cycling day have a day or 2 rest.

Hope this helps and good luck mate

 

[DrDrew]

+1 from Karl's points

I cycled Nottingham to Paris unassisted {fully laden touring bike carrying everything you might need for 5 days on the bike} a year ago, so know what you're likely to go through . My biggest tips from my training would be,

On big cycling days, eat lots and eat right. You'll need lots of calories, and things like carbohydrate sport drinks will keep you going, and banana is a great source of potassium to stop your mussels cramping. You'll need to build in plenty of little food stops if cycling a long way in a day. It's surprising how much food controls your mood. Don't eat too much in one sitting either. (you want to be satisfied, but not feelin very full or stuffed) That cramp is not fun to deal with, and can effect you in future days.

When going uphill, train the little mussels down the side of your legs. Stay sat down, change into an easier gear and peddle fast. Whilst standing up uses your bigger more powerful mussels, they get tired much more quickly. If you train he mussels up the side of your legs to be stronger, you'll find it much easier as they have much more stamina.

I'll have a look back through my training logs later on and try and remember if there's anything else major to note.

 

[triple9tommy]

Cheers guys! Feeling really motivated about it, hence why I posted.

I cycled Nottingham to Paris unassisted {fully laden touring bike carrying everything you might need for 5 days on the bike} a year ago, so know what you're likely to go through

Fair play...the cycle from Nottingham to the ferry would have put me into a sweat just thinking about it a year ago!

 

[pritchp]

I would LOVE to do something like this!

 

[Karl]

Im consider london to brighton

 

[DrDrew]

I would LOVE to do something like this!

I would recommend it. From my experiences it's awesome

 

[Karl]

Just thinking out loud

Maybe we could do it as a forum effort and all do it together?

 

[maggi200]

Not sure how but a bloke in the office cycled to paris from london for the marathon in paris and back again :lol: he's not even that fit, in fact I remember run fat boy run being passed around the office as official footage

 

[DrDrew]

Just thinking out loud

Maybe we could do it as a forum effort and all do it together?

Twingo133.net cycling jerseys?

I'm in.

 

[Karl]

Just thinking out loud

Maybe we could do it as a forum effort and all do it together?

Twingo133.net cycling jerseys?

I'm in.

Dont tempt me to start looking :lol:

 

[DrDrew]

Just thinking out loud

Maybe we could do it as a forum effort and all do it together?

Twingo133.net cycling jerseys?

I'm in.

Dont tempt me to start looking :lol:

I'd wear one especially if you could get one in blue with the logo (in White & orange) across the front & back

 

[Karl]

Just thinking out loud

Maybe we could do it as a forum effort and all do it together?

Twingo133.net cycling jerseys?

I'm in.

Dont tempt me to start looking :lol:

Enquiry sent to a custom cycle top supplyier

 

[triple9tommy]

Ahh boys...
This would be great...
There are official trips [that id be more inclined to follow seeing as not too many people I know are too interested] but seeing as there are some brains on the forum who have previous experience, it might be worthwhile starting from scratch

A big charity event would be super.
However...Paris = France = Renault = Twingo = Us... maybe a charity drive?

 

[Karl]

Ahh boys...
This would be great...
There are official trips [that id be more inclined to follow seeing as not too many people I know are too interested] but seeing as there are some brains on the forum who have previous experience, it might be worthwhile starting from scratch

A big charity event would be super.
However...Paris = France = Renault = Twingo = Us... maybe a charity drive?

Now someone is getting worryied about the cycle :lol:

Im sure we can work something out even if it a UK cycle from point to point

 

[TURBO]

id b well up for this as long as karls not allowed to pick the jersey designs