{"id":401,"date":"2021-12-30T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-30T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=301280"},"modified":"2021-12-30T15:18:14","modified_gmt":"2021-12-30T14:18:14","slug":"how-to-ride-your-first-century-double-century-or-longer-distance-in-2022","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/how-to-ride-your-first-century-double-century-or-longer-distance-in-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"How to ride your first century, double century or longer distance in 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Jack Luke\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 30 December 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Are you planning on riding a century, double century or an even longer distance in 2022? There\u2019s a lot of misleading or just plain wrong information on the web relating to long-distance cycling, but I\u2019m here to tell you what I have found makes for a successful, lengthy ride.<\/p>\n

Plan to succeed<\/h2>\n
\""Long\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Long rides in the back of beyond can take you through stunning scenery, but they bring challenges if you\u2019re not used to riding long distances.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

While the idea of riding through lonely rural landscapes may sound attractive, you\u2019re unlikely to pass through many populated areas, which means you\u2019ll need to be self-sufficient on the bike and will have few (if any) convenient bail-out options.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, spending hours riding through big towns, and invariably traffic, eats up a lot of time, bringing your average speed down. Even a small reduction in your average pace can be the difference between finishing at stupid o\u2019clock and sensible o\u2019clock.<\/p>\n

While you could avoid these concerns and ride around a closed track until you\u2019ve reached your target, you\u2019d no doubt pedal yourself into dizzy oblivion and give up due to sheer boredom before anything else.<\/p>\n

Striking a balance between the two on your first ride is the key; neither huffing excessive diesel fumes or bonking<\/a> in a ditch on the side of a desolate moor will get you closer to your goal, so pick where your route takes you carefully.<\/p>\n

For planning the ride, we recommend using an app<\/a> such as Komoot<\/a>, Ride With GPS<\/a> or Strava<\/a>, and exporting the route to a GPS. While the idea of travelling down unknown roads may feel romantic and adventurous, after the first few wrong turns, it\u2019ll quickly get boring.<\/p>\n

\""'Off-piste'\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u2018Off-piste\u2019 excursions (i.e. straying from your GPS trail) may be fun sometimes, but don\u2019t always go as planned\u2026<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you don\u2019t own a GPS-equipped bike computer<\/a>, paper maps will of course suffice, but they do add an element of stop-start hassle that, if possible, is best avoided.<\/p>\n

When planning your route, if you don\u2019t feel confident and would like some help along the way, you should consider entering a sportive or audax (also known as a randonn\u00e9e <\/em>outside of the UK).<\/p>\n

The latter in particular is a great way to make friends and ride in a supportive and non-competitive environment. Audax UK, the body that regulates and runs events in the UK, has an excellent guide to riding your first audax<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What should I eat on my first century?<\/h2>\n
\n
\""A\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A saddlebag full of tasty snacks and a full day of riding ahead.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Nothing else is as mercilessly and unnecessarily fussed over by cyclists as food.<\/p>\n

The established distinctions between what is and isn\u2019t appropriate cycling food \u2013 this sickly gel is special<\/em> cyclist\u2019s food; this honey and peanut butter bagel is the scoff of mortals \u2013 shouldn\u2019t be taken as gospel, particularly for long-distance cycling.<\/p>\n

Basic rules should be followed<\/a>, but there are no right and wrong foods for every cyclist in the land \u2013 while a diet consisting of only caffeinated jelly beans, dusty protein bars and other freaky science-foods may work for some riders, for others, all that performance nutrition causes is a noisy tummy.<\/p>\n

Why not incorporate sports nutrition into real food and save money by baking homemade energy bars for cycling<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Experimentation is the key to working out what fuels you best on long-distance rides \u2013 try out lots of different food before your big day out and you may stumble on something that works perfectly for you.<\/p>\n

On a long-distance ride, choosing the right food is also a psychological decision. Spending half a day hunched over handlebars will invariably ruin your appetite, and switching up what you eat throughout the course of the day will help to keep things palatable and you motivated.<\/p>\n

\""Rob\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
If you find fuelling with leftover curry works, more power to you.<\/span><\/figcaption> Paul Smith \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

I personally recommend you carry as much food with you as possible on your first ride. Being able to eat on the hoof means you can avoid the wasted time of stopping at shops or cafes for nourishment.<\/p>\n

When you are able to confidently pace and plan a long ride, that\u2019s the time to start indulging in more gourmet off-bike dining experiences.<\/p>\n

\""How\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Carradice is not a crime.<\/span><\/figcaption> Matthew Allen \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

I\u2019d recommend investing in additional on-bike storage for your cycle snacks. Panniers may seem like the obvious option, but these are unnecessarily bulky for a lightweight, single-day excursion. A better choice is something along the lines of a Carradice saddlebag<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Setting up your bike for long-distance cycling<\/h2>\n

As long as you feel comfortable on it, the likelihood is that whatever bike you\u2019re currently riding is pretty much fine for long-distance riding.<\/p>\n

While a drop-bar, dynamo-equipped, be-fendered<\/a>, plump-tyred, relaxed-geometry<\/a> audax wagon will be the most comfortable way to ride more mileage, not owning a bike like that shouldn\u2019t be a barrier to your enjoyment of long-distance riding.<\/p>\n

However, there are still things you can do to improve the performance of your existing bike for long days in the saddle.<\/p>\n

The first thing is to address the fit of your bike.<\/p>\n

While a super aggressive, butt-up, head-down position will be more aero \u2013 and, thus, faster \u2013 than an upright stance, if you\u2019re not used to riding in this position for an extended period, you\u2019re likely to put excessive strain on your hands and arms over the course of a long day.<\/p>\n

However, bear in mind that, like food, bike fit is highly personal.<\/p>\n

While an upright position may work for some, it won\u2019t necessarily for you, even for long-distance riding \u2013 again, experimentation is key but, if you don\u2019t know where to start, consider getting a bike fit<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\""All-City\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
On the right bike, I think the mudguards can even complement the look.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you ride in wet weather, or even on wet roads, you\u2019re going to get damp. The morale boost of being warm and dry on your bike cannot be overstated and I would always recommend fitting proper, full-cover mudguards for long-distance riding in inclement climates.<\/p>\n

Even if you don\u2019t plan on being out after dark, it\u2019s always wise to bring a set of bike lights<\/a> with you. What if you have a mechanical failure and have to limp home via the nearest train station? What if your average speed drops a little and you\u2019re going to get back after dark?<\/p>\n

Simply put, avoid the stress of worrying about not having lights \u2013 fit them to your bike and forget about them until you need them.<\/p>\n

Extra tip<\/h3>\n

While no one expects you to swap a headset or bottom bracket in the field, you should always bring some basic tools<\/a> and know-how to carry out simple repairs \u2013 you may get lucky and flat outside of a bike shop\u2026 but what if you don\u2019t?<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div> <\/section>

Prepare yourself<\/h2>\n
\""Wahoo\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A structured training plan can make light work of epic distances.<\/span><\/figcaption> Wahoo Fitness<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

After scheduling your marathon ride, you\u2019ll need to gradually increase your mileage in the weeks and months beforehand.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve chosen a spring or summer date, your winter training<\/a> must include base training<\/a>. These long, steady miles will boost your endurance for the big outing. You\u2019ll begin to understand training zones<\/a> and identify a pace you can hold for hours.<\/p>\n

If you plan to do this outside, you\u2019ll need to get your bike winter-ready<\/a>. Your hands will need the best winter road cycling gloves<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Although most of us will opt to conquer an outdoor century, the benefits of indoor cycling<\/a> could make a smart bike<\/a> a valuable part of your preparation.<\/p>\n

Unless your route is pan flat, raising your power-to-weight ratio<\/a> in advance will pay dividends on the climbs. Turbo trainer workouts<\/a> on training apps such as Zwift<\/a> are an effective and efficient way to do so.<\/p>\n

Moreover, Wahoo SYSTM<\/a> allows you to create a training program specific to your goals while addressing your strengths and weaknesses. The workouts can be done on the best smart trainers<\/a> or on the road.<\/p>\n

If it hurts, stop<\/h2>\n
\""Are\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Are you having persistent issues on the bike? Check your bike fit.<\/span><\/figcaption> Evans<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

When I used to work in a bike shop, I was regularly shocked by the injuries that customers had as a result of their cycling.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cycling is an exceptionally low-impact sport and these injuries were most commonly the result of poor fit on their bikes.<\/p>\n

Sure, if you\u2019ve just finished riding 200 miles, it\u2019s not unreasonable to have a tender behind<\/a> and feel a little stiff the day after, but you shouldn\u2019t be incapacitated in any way.<\/p>\n

If you think something isn\u2019t right about the fit of your bike, or if you\u2019re not quite physically ready for that long-distance goal, go home and try another time. The roads will still be there tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Cycling marketing often fetishises \u2018epic\u2019 experiences on the bike \u2013 remove the rose-tinted glasses and you can easily translate \u2018epic\u2019 to \u2018unpleasant\u2019. There\u2019s nothing noble about hurting yourself for the sake of hitting an arbitrary number.<\/p>\n

Also, ruining future days out because you\u2019ve ridden through injury isn\u2019t big or clever. Pain is not a shared experience and few will care how hard you worked to ride those miles. Remember, this is supposed to be fun.<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n

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By Jack Luke Published: Thursday, 30 December 2021 at 12:00 am Are you planning on riding a century, double century or an even longer distance in 2022? There\u2019s a lot of misleading or just plain wrong information on the web relating to long-distance cycling, but I\u2019m here to tell you what I have found makes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":402,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"8"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2021\/12\/how-to-ride-your-first-century-double-century-or-longer-distance-in-2022.jpg",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2021\/12\/how-to-ride-your-first-century-double-century-or-longer-distance-in-2022-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2021\/12\/how-to-ride-your-first-century-double-century-or-longer-distance-in-2022-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2021\/12\/how-to-ride-your-first-century-double-century-or-longer-distance-in-2022-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2021\/12\/how-to-ride-your-first-century-double-century-or-longer-distance-in-2022-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2021\/12\/how-to-ride-your-first-century-double-century-or-longer-distance-in-2022-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2021\/12\/how-to-ride-your-first-century-double-century-or-longer-distance-in-2022-2048x1366.jpg",2048,1366,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Jack Luke Published: Thursday, 30 December 2021 at 12:00 am Are you planning on riding a century, double century or an even longer distance in 2022? There\u2019s a lot of misleading or just plain wrong information on the web relating to long-distance cycling, but I\u2019m here to tell you what I have found makes…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/401"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/402"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}