Easily achievable if you put your mind to it.
However, I'd do things slightly different to most... I would use campsites. Also, I'd take a light tent rather than a bivvy + tarp.
Why?
I sleep better in a tent, so would actually have a chance of enjoying the trip. A tent means you get away with a much lighter sleeping bag. A campsite = a clean arse and clean kit. Usually a cafe or shop in vicinity too. IMHO, it would be a more enjoyable trip.
On the other hand, if you really want to set the new A to B record, then travel as light as possible and don't stop very often.
Do you want Type 1 fun, or Type 2 fun?
Marathons are heavy/slow. G-Ones in 2.0 or 2.35 are really fast though.
Yeah, I'd go G-Ones if you're insistent on not-slicks. Allrounds are a good balance - I'm happy enough on singletrack with them if it's not too sloppy. Speeds would probably be better for you. Bites if you really wanted a bit more grip.
Do it!!! You'll be fine - a mate managed to complete the French Divide after a reasonably simple amount of training (certainly not many 100 milers). And now you've had people telling you that you can't do it, what more motivation do you need?! 🙂
Have you tried the Maxxis Crossmark tyres? I ran a Kenda Small Block on the rear most of last summer (a wonder tyre - and made my technique way better), and it was great until the ground started to turn soggy around November. I then switched back to a Crossmark. Another great thing about these tyres is they're cheap.
Do you want Type 1 fun, or Type 2 fun?
Type 1 fun to me is packing super-light, stopping wherever I like and not worrying about being clean or not for a few days. I don't bother with padded shorts which makes things easier in that area ime. Sleep better the further away from other people I am too so campsites are out.
Not for everyone I know, not saying you're wrong either, just another way to do it. Can be fun.
Halo twin rail tyres are tough, fast, comfortable and surprisingly grippy. I commuted on them for year (mine were the 38mm ones but you can get them in 29er too)
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Halo-Twin-Rail-2-29-Tyre_42195.htm
But it’s still *double* the distance, in less time.
In very different conditions,so not really comparable IMO. Easier and harder in different ways.
Article about riding 420km over a couple of days on bike radar. Sounds loads as it's in km. It's only 130m a day
In very different conditions,so not really comparable IMO. Easier and harder in different ways.
Whichever way you cut it, 1400km in 5 days is harder than 800km.
Whichever way you cut it, 1400km in 5 days is harder than 800km.
800km off-road is harder than 1400km on-road IMO.
So I'm doing it. Leave has been confirmed and wee Nicola is letting me in.
Doing it over 6 days instead as I felt with the climbing involved through the peak district would make 100 miles days unachievable.
Anyways, I'm doing it to raise money for transplant sport UK. Here's a link to the page if you fancy a look.
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?pageId=1276135
Yea easily doable. I did similar on the way too/from SSUK 2019.
My learning from that is:
1) Singlespeeding and bikepacking together is exponentially harder as every off road gradient becomes a push.
2) Pack light. Then throw out half of it, and spend money shedding weight on the remaining half. There's a big gulf between the normal 30miles in an evening bikepacking then ride back for breakfast and 2+ days of 100+ miles. What's rideable at 30 miles isn't at 90 miles. In the end I regretted almost every bit of kit at least at some point (sleeping bag was too warm/heavy, mat wasn't expensive/light, bivi bag could have been more compact, didn't take a tarp (could have compromised with a thinner bivi bag if I had and not taken more weight and been sheltered), carried way too much food you only need 1 meal ahead.
Average speed becomes fairly meaningless. You've got 16+ hours of daylight to ride it. Distances do matter, know where lunch is! Other meals I just had whenever I fancied, just concentrate on fueling with snacks.
I didn't think I was that fit, I never otherwise do 100 mile back to back days, even on the road bike. Just eat and pedal and it doesn't feel bad at all.
I did the Kattegatt trail in 3 days last summer Which was about 300miles from home. I took too much stuff and my Achilles heel tendons got really inflamed. Got a bit bored as I did it by myself. Nice idea but it became a bit of a slog
I'm enjoying the eating bit to be fair!
I've been working on my mind set when it comes to hills. I've always attacked them, now I'm focusing on listening to me legs. Trying to be as gentle as possible on them.
I'm comfortable with big mile days but its the back to back days that'll be new to me. For that reason I've invested in very light but very good sleeping system. Been testing it in the garden and getting some good zzzzz's. That should help with recovery.
First 2 days will be 100 mile a piece, then subsequent days will be around the 75 mark as they will have more climbing.
I’ve done very similar throughout Europe when younger and more recently similar mileage but with my bank card for B&B’s. I’ve gone soft in my old age.
The only thing different i would add is navigation, make sure you know how to navigate. I’ve had many a stress when I’ve tricked myself I’ve gone 50 miles in the wrong direction. I then end up with a brain that won’t let me sleep as I try to work out where I went wrong.....that was in the days of paper maps, but it’s still in my mind now so is always something I’m very conscious of when planning trips.
I would also probably stay in a camp site midway through the trip if feasible. A shower and a beer might be a good moral booster.
I did a long trip through Spain once. Agreed to meet the missus in Gibraltar, big mistake. Added stress to make sure I was there on the agreed date, plus I just wanted to shower, eat fish and chips, drink Coke and sleep. She wanted to go exploring, go to nice restaurants etc.
Very envious. Would love to be in the position to undertake a trip like this. Unfortunately I wouldn’t get a pass to do it these days.
