Adam's bike challenge. Stage 13: A choice between cheating and eating

Adam Bradbury

08 March 2012

I was tempted to do a Prince Harry last weekend. If you missed it, the young contender beat Usain Bolt in a sprint by setting off when the Olympic champ wasn't looking.

On Saturday I wolfed down breakfast, got on my bike and headed out of London. If I'd kept going I'd have hit Cambridge 8 weeks ahead of the pack on Friends of the Earth's Big Green Bike Ride.

That would have been a right royal cheat. But I did get a sneak preview of my readiness (or not) for the 500-mile ride to Edinburgh in May.

Some of the things I need to, um, fine tune:

The bike

About a year ago I had mine serviced by the helpful team at my nearest Cycle Surgery. That included the cheapest new saddle I could find. Not a great choice. Over distance it's like sitting on a fence. I also realised the pannier rack that I haven't used as a pannier rack for about 5 years is just dead weight. That's coming off. I'll find another place to hang my D-lock.

Food

The cycling itself was OK. But my lack of energy the next day was a surprise. Not that I had the energy to be surprised. It was an "I'm going to sit quietly and watch the goldfish" sort of lethargy. I'm told this is all about nutrition. And the two basic rules are:

1. During the ride have a high-energy snack at least every 90 minutes (bananas, dried fruit, flapjacks) and drink lots of water.
2. Within half an hour of stopping at the end of the day refuel with lots of carbohydrates. This experienced cyclist says flooding your system with glucose from carbohydrates in the first 30 minutes after you get off the bike is the single most important thing you can do to ensure you have the energy to last the course.

Clothes

When I left home the sun was shining. Two hours later it was cold and raining. My clothes didn't help in either condition. First I was sweating, then wet and shivering. So I'm on the hunt for low-budget base layers and a light waterproof jacket.

Speed

The most alarming thing was the Bolt-like ease with which other cyclists passed me. Lycra-clad athletes on dainty streamlined machines who seemed to expend no effort while I laboured up a gentle incline.

My colleague Tracey, who's helping lead the ride, assures me we'll be able to go at our own pace.

But I can't help thinking I should have swallowed my honour and kept going to Cambridge.

What are your favourite snacks on a long ride? And what's your favourite road saddle?

Please let me know - leave a comment. Thanks a lot.

Adam Bradbury
Publishing & New Media team

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