1. KIT:
When you buy new kit: e.g. a light bike, clothes, helmet, glasses, lights, energy drinks and bars- test them thoroughly before setting off on an 11+ day ride. We did this but did not try out all of gear in appropriate conditions, e.g
- Wet weather kit in pouring rain. We suggest you get in the shower with this kit on. Our all weather Seal Skinz gloves were warm in the wind but soaked and very cold in heavy rain. The supposedly waterproof overshoes were not waterproof either (hence very wet shoes) but at least these were warm when wet. Our Altura night vision waterproof trousers however did the job very well.
- Hanging around waiting in very cold conditions. We had to buy long cycle pants and a lycra hat to keep warm as we went further north.
- We loved our For Goodness (milk)shakes (recovery) PHD woman recovery & Support bars and Clif bars (for energy when riding) but after 11 days of eating them, we had a few digestion problems. Not sure if we recommend trying out eating these for 11 days in a row- but just be aware of what this may do to you (toilet stops are a must)
- Packing- pack much less than there is on the kit list. You can wash stuff and dry it overnight but at least 2 sets of all clothes plus waterproofs is the minimum.
- Get fitted for your bike and get a saddle that is right for your seat bones. It will save your body from pain later.
- Whatever you do your butt will develop welts. It is not designed to sit on a seat for 6-7 hours a day for 11+ days. Assoss butt cream (pre and post) is essential
2. TRAINING:
This is essential. Everyone had a different training program; we followed the Discover Adventure program but upped the mileage and trained on hills. This helped loads.
- We also had a lot of fun training. When we had a long ride to do, we tried to make it fun, by finding places we had not been to before and booking into a B&B and reserving ourselves into a good restaurant as a treat. We did double the mileage but had a great time doing it. If it gets boring, try different routes.
- Find good coffee shops and have some cake! One excellent effect of cycle training is that you can eat alot more and not put on any weight. We were so hooked on caffeine and cake that we had to find a good coffee shop on every LEJOG day just to get the same fix. It became our mission and we even got others on the ride to go off piste to join us (not difficult when the coffee at breakfast was pants!) Sadly it was more expensive. From 3 euros 60 cents in Italy for 2 x coffee and cake to 6 pounds ++ We even stretched to gelato. Here are a selection of epic stops
- Planning the route is great fun but what is worse is the GARMIN over ride. The constant beeping at you when you are certain that going uphill on a dirt track is the wrong way/not good for your road bike/stupid was driving us both mad. Finally on LEJOG, we found the settings that may prevent this in future. (Learn how to use your kit whilst training / before you leave!)
- Make a big effort with the training, you will hurt less and enjoy the journey more.
3. ORGANISED EVENT OR DO IT ALONE?
After this experience with an organised event, we are certain that we could do it alone.
We would:
- Carry much less kit as we would have to haul it and us along the miles/up all the hills.
- Stay in better places - with drying and washing facilities and decent food
- Take more time to see some of the tourist sights of the country (not have to take photos from the i-phone one handed whilst still cycling as you do not want to get left behind)
- Plan our own route along quieter roads, cycle ways and via coffee shops
- Stop less on some routes (no waiting around at lunch as the organisers insist on it) and stop more on others (tourist attractions)
but do you want to do it alone? With others you have the benefit of
- cycling in a pack and drafting along, following the stronger cyclists
- new friends and jokes and laughs (company on your best and worst moments) - Colin surprised us on a photo opportunity outside Exeter Cathedral (above) We cycled with him almost every day after this. Thanks Colin!
- locals who take you off piste and show you around (Craig is a star! - below is a park in Preston - much better than the main road)
- sharing gripes at the food (tomato soup what a surprise!) and standard of the hotels (Thurso on day 11 was the pits)
- comparing recovery techniques - i did try a cold bath once Matt (but never again!) but i love the hairdryer technique for drying shoes quickly. Thanks Pete.
- exchanging photos and comments on facebook before and after
- getting someone else to carry your luggage and organise all the lunches, dinners, hotels
- Sharing the stories of the why (so honorable and admirable e.g amongst others... Angus, Nick, Lizzie, Maria) the day and the hopes and fears (hills and having to get off and push - which is no shame) for what was to come
What we did not get from Discover Adventure was a mechanic on the trip with us. All were led to believe that a mechanic would be with us, but in reality we were alone. All were disappointed by this. The best DA could do was collect us from the road and take us to a bike shop. Otherwise we had to be self sufficient. Lovely people but not much experience of bikes between them.
WHAT WE GOT OUT OF IT
- A huge sense of achievement
- A post event lull and a slight downer, even sickness. Sarah got a stinking cold, cough and sore throat and passed it to me. This is to be expected apparently
- A new confidence that you can cycle anywhere and up most hills with the right prep and training.
- A need to do something else as challenging on our bikes in the next few months and next year
- A thirst for cycle touring
- Great photos and a set of new friends who we hope we will cycle with again in the UK or elsewhere (open invites to Italy next summer guys - but expect hills and heat)
- Huge quads, large appetites and a set of cycling gear/bikes and memories that will last us our lifetime
Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero
