Bum cream and decent shorts. Easy gears and comfortable cadence. Stand up on the pedals and move about to stretch your back and legs. Stop at cafes, walk about, drink coffee and eat cake. Look at the view, chat, distract yourselves. Work together and draft as much as possible, saves masses of energy, particularly if windy. Take your time and enjoy.

Your arse will be fine. It’s the next day that it’s a problem.

The old adage ‘eat before you get hungry, drink before you get thirsty’ is the order of the day for a long ride like that. +1 on the arse cream. There’s nothing more annoying than chafing when you’ve still got another 50 miles to do.

Nowt to add but have a good one, fella. I did a 100 miler on the fixed a week or so ago on the back of being really unfit and out of shape. It took a while and I hurt but I did it.

I don’t like to stop for too long on long rides as I find it hard to get going again. Did an impromptu 128 mile ride last summer and only stopped briefly in aberfoyle for a pee. But take it easy, draft everything yuh can, tractors are good, chat and enjoy your surroundings and you’ll be fine. On and a decent pair of shorts, chamois cream, make sure you’re wearing clothes that don’t annoy and you’re bike is rattle free. Have fun.

On my double century rides, I keep my heart rate and breathing as relaxed as possible. I’m constantly working on staying out of the red. I eat a mouthful of something every 30 mins and take a mouthful of fluid with it. I also apply a good dab of vaseline to anywhere that I’ve previously had soreness.
140 sounds harder than it is. You’ll be on the Cheshire Plain for much of it I assume? Go steady and you’ll (probably) be fine.

Arse cream is clearly something specific to individuals. I suspect most people find it helps. Personally I can’t ride for more than about 30 miles without it being nigh on essential. I struggle to understand how it can make things worse, but there ye go.

Although the sun is still shining this time of year, it gets cold one you stop, and can also be chilly with the shadows and windchill, i recommend a good base layer and tights 🙂

Mileage may vary but cream of some sort I need even for a 10 mile spun sometimes. Bit harsh to dismiss as ‘rubbish’

Pace is everything I think but it’s not a distance I’ve come close to – only one 100+ ride for me.

No, I haven’t but that’s because I eat when I want to and drink when I feel like it. I find that grazing works better for me.

Re arse cream making things worse – my shorts fit – arse cream makes them slide and cause chaffing.

different strokes for different folks.

If you are riding for a long time it’s natural to drink more than you can take on in order to minimise dehydration. Not everyone knows their level exactly.

I never knew what bonking was until I tried to do 130km ride this summer – missed my lunch stop, got into a strange mindset of not wanting to stop at any of the scabby food shops, couldn’t eat any gels as after three or so, I was just going to chuck them up.

Last 50km, cutting it short were tough, and a horrible place to be.

About 13km from home, I had to stop at a garage to see if they a shop, only filling station in the whole of the area that didn’t.

Lying on the floor, on the edge of the forecourt, not sure if I was going to puke, die, cry or laugh, a lovely attendant came over to see if I was ok and offered me some water.

I shouted and swore my way through the last 13km, which must have been a suprise for the group that rode past me with me cursing away at myself and my knackered shoulders and legs.

Never want to experience that again, it ruined the ride for me, although in hindsight it was good fun.

140 miles – wee bit over distance for a 200k is it not?