What to do When a Planning a Long Ride?
Summer is almost here and the weather is inviting us to go outside and enjoy a ride. If you always dreamed about a long bicycle ride and you never did it yet now it’s the perfect time to start planning it.
Here are some of the top 5 essentials TO DO when you are about to embark on a long bicycle ride:
Long-Bridge-into-Sandpoint, Mark Sisson
1. Decide the route
Research the possible routes and choose two or three most probable ones. Read the available online reports and information about those three routes and stick to the one
that sounds the best for you.
No plan is worth the paper it is printed on unless it starts you doing something!
2. Test
Use your training rides to test your drinks and food, along with the clothing you plan to wear, to find out what works best for you. They might seems OK, but assure yourself before counting on them for your long ride.
3. Pack your backpack
These are the things that cannot be missing from your backpack:
- Lights,
- Spare batteries,
- Arm and leg warmers,
- Cap,
- Gloves,
- Vest,
- Chain breaker,
- Tire levers,
- Pump or CO2,
- Hex wrench sized for every bolt on your bike,
- Two to three spare tubes,
- Money,
- ID,
- Insurance info,
- Sunscreen,
- Phone
Where should you put each of these things? Anything you’ll want while rolling, such as food or a camera, should go in the pocket you are most comfortable accessing with one hand. You might also want to try different ways to carry additional fluids, such as a frame bag or hydration pack. And not forget to try them on before the big day!
4. Prepare your bike
Switch to durable tires to minimize your risk of flattening, and if your event is hilly, consider a compact, triple, or even a 34/27 setup to help you spin with less effort. You may need to adjust your saddle, handlebar, and cleat positions. Any discomfort you feel on these contact points will be magnified as long as you ride.
5. Training
It is probably the most important thing to do as good as you can before starting. Do not perform the training on a same route but try to vary the terrains in order to be prepared for anything might come in your way. Include hills, tempo efforts, and sprints, along with slow, long, and short rides. And do not forget to take a rest day or two every week. Breaks should be not longer than 10 minutes so your muscles won’t feel tight when you remount.
These are some of the most important things to do in my opinion, but we would like to hear your input, since many of you already did long rides with your beloved bicycles.
And don’t forget to enjoy not only the ride but the training as well!
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