China 2011 - Eek! / Up and running

[porshiepoo]

My friend and I had a moment of madness this afternoon and as a consequence of said madness have now signed ourselves up for a 450km Bike ride in China in April 2011. Have also paid a substantial registration fee so there's no backing out now. lol.
Quite looking forward to it but was wondering if anyone knew where to get hold of some kind of training schedule to be able to be fit enough to cover 450kms in 5 days????
I wouldn't say I'm a cycling newbie and could probably cover 10 miles a day if I pushed at the moment but needless to say I'm going to need to do a heck of a lot more.

Finally, the Cycle Ride is in aid of Womens Cancer (Women4women). Cancer of all different forms has had a huge impact on my family, the latest loss was my 23 year old niece of Cervical cancer, so this charity is very close to my heart.
I will be forming some kind of website where I can post blogs about my training, give information and enable people to sponsor me. Every single penny will help so please please sponsor whatever you can - I'll let you all know the link when I have it up and running.

Hmmmm, anyone have any good ideas for fundraising? This is the bit that really frightens me as I've suffered depression and the going out and talking is gong to be a struggle but I'm determined to do it and would love any helpful advice and tips you can offer.

Thank you

[Rheghead]

You'll do that no probs, ~56 miles per day, so long as it isn't near hilly Tibet in the blazing heat. Just do 5 mile rides 3 times a week and you'll soon get fit. Let me know and I'll sponsor you.

[porshiepoo]

You'll do that no probs, ~56 miles per day, so long as it isn't near kiily Tibet in the blazing heat. Let me know and I'll sponsor you.

Thanks Rheghead. I think it's Beijiing we're headed for but I'll not be 100% sure until the welcome pack arrives.

I'm actually really excited. I've never done anything like this before and I'm actually looking forward to pushing myself.
56 miles a day - wow. That's like to Thurso and back from here at Lybster plus an extra 6 miles. Easy!

[Venture]

Moment of madness, I'd say you're Chinese crackers. Just joking. What a huge commitment. A sponsored cycle anywhere for charity is great but to do one across the other side of the world is brilliant. Good for you porshie and once you have your website set up let me know and I'll sponsor you too. Well done and good luck with the training.

[northener]

As Rheggers says - it's not a massive distance day-to-day. The weather and humidity (depending on what season it is there) may be a bigger problem.

Just to give you some sort of comparison, I deal with a lot of End-to-End cyclists. The ones who are taking it steady tend to take about 12-14 days to cover 850 miles-ish. Thats about 60 miles a day. And I've seen a lot of people doing it who you'd hardly class as being super-fit or 'serious' cyclists.....

Go to the Cycle Tourists Club website and just stick 'fitness' into their onsite search engine.

[cuddlepop]

Well done you for even thinking about it never mind signing up for it.

As far as fund raising is concerned how about the usual car boot sales,rafles,bag packing etc,they may be "old hat" but they raise the money.

[only me]

hi porshiepoo i have a crowd of a family and friends who want to sponsor you a very good charity

[porshiepoo]

Am in the process of sorting out a 'justgiving' site so that it's easy and very safe and secure for people to sponsor me online if they want to.
Also working out a plan of action with regards fund raising - hubby has loads of brilliant ideas - also, working out a training programme
I've had to start easy as I'm recovering from a knee injury but I started with a brisk walk round the block today (2.4 miles) and I'll do that for a couple more days and then start doing a few miles on the bike.

Here's to being fit enough to complete 450kms in 5 days. In the future if any of you guys see a weird woman cycling on a mountain bike on the roads to Wick or Thurso - that'll be me. lol

[Aaldtimer]

To prevent further knee problems always pedal with the balls of your feet, never your insteps. Preferably fit toe-clips to keep your feet in the right position...you don't have to have the straps if your a bit unsure of them.
Good luck!

[porshiepoo]

I have finally completed my 'justgiving' webpage for my Cycle China Event.
I know the event isn't until April 2011 but I need to get fundraising up and running as soon as possible.
This event is in aid of Women for Women and is a fantastic charity that supports women scientists and clinicians to specialise in research affecting women and their babies - a subject that has affected many many people and families in the uK and worldwide.
The research centre aims to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a range of devastating conditions which cause miscarriage, genetic diseases, infertility, cancer and brain damage.

I've left a link to my webpage in the hope of sponsorship - every little bit helps.

Thank you in advance.

www.justgiving.com/LINDA-CLAXSON

[Rheghead]

I'm planning on a Scottish End to End next year, you are welcome to join. Good charity.

[porshiepoo]

Seems my threads have been merged. So I'm just bumping this up so everyone gets to see.

[Ricco]

Well done, Porshie! As Rheghead says build your training over time. I found that a week at 10 miles a day, then upping it to 20 for a week and then two weeks at 35 helped me - depends on how long you have been out of the saddle.

Let us know when to sponsor you... and good luck.

[changilass]

Try contacting 'This Morning'. Fern Britton did something similar to this and they would have had a training regime. They may be willing to let you have a copy of if you explain what you are doing and why.

Good Luck

[porshiepoo]

Try contacting 'This Morning'. Fern Britton did something similar to this and they would have had a training regime. They may be willing to let you have a copy of if you explain what you are doing and why.

Good Luck

This is actually the same charity that Fern Britton cycles for. She may actually even be on this one but it's more likely she'll be on next years one.

The charity have sent me a training schedule .
I started at 10km today on the bike (been walking a few miles a day so far). Right cheesed off though cos I did it on a static and I thought I'd done 10 miles lol. The I realised it was in km.

[Tristan]

If you are worried about your knee I would get proper cycling shoes and clamps would be better than toe clips. If you don't want the clamps the cycling shoes will help.