Hi 'K', Thanks for the advice. since this post I'...

2009-05-02T18:28:00.000+01:00

Hi 'K',

Thanks for the advice. since this post I've upgraded the bike to a Specialized Allez Triple, lost another 10lbs, cycled abother 1000 miles.
Tomorrow I go back to the IOW Randonee for a 100 KM Anti Clockwise cycle round the island. Last time I bonked out at around 50 miles. Fell better prepared this time though so we'll wait & see.

No London To Brighton this year though. Gonna try the Dorset 100 Mile ride in the summer, or maybe the Bath to London Ride?

Hope you make it up Ditchling Beacon on the ride o...

2009-04-27T02:06:00.000+01:00

Hope you make it up Ditchling Beacon on the ride one year! If you've done the training you mention it shouldn't be too difficult.

It strikes me that perhaps you aren't eating/drinking enough en route and you are cycling just a touch too hard and not having much left in the tank after 40 miles+. Your 'training' mileage sounds very respectable but you shouldn't need to have spent six months doing it. There is a difference between going for a ride and training to achieve a benefit. There is stacks of cycle training stufff on the internet dealing with how to build distance and more importantly how to get faster and stronger on the flat and on hills by doing specific rides at different heart rate levels.

Perhaps you need some lower gears too. 'Off the shelf' road bikes usually come with gear ratios which aren't low enough for all but competetive cyclists. You're going to struggle to climb long steep hills in the saddle if the ratio isn't around 40" or less.

Hope this helps.

Comments on Before40: Tour De France

Hi 'K', Thanks for the advice. since this post I'...

Hope you make it up Ditchling Beacon on the ride o...