Ride advice

[Bennn]

Off to uni next week (on the 29th) and really want to get a big ride in before I leave.

My last day at work will be on saturday and am thinking of doing my ride on the thursday. Anyway my question is should I save my legs for the ride, or do a few miles in the week?

Also I was just going to set off late morning and see how far I can go, I was hoping to do over 40 miles, though at current the most I've gone is 25m. Is this a poor plan and make a route, or should this be OK as I kow the road fairly well and I can navigate in phone if all else fails?

Thanks in advance, Ben.

[coolboarder]

If you can do 25 you can do 40, these are really not long distances for experienced cyclists, do 40 and you can do 60, do sixty and you will doing century rides. In answer to the question, if 25 left you with stiff legs then I would rest for a couple of days before the longer distance if you still felt fresh you will do it easily the next day, short daily rides will keep you trained and shouldn't really exhaust you for a 40. If in doubt however don't go straight out 20 miles the first time, set a circular route so you are never more than 5-10 miles from home but I think you are being unnecessarily pessimistic, you'll piss it. However you may need to give some consideration to eating and drinking have a look at the current thread on hydration and nutrition. Anyway why does cycling have to stop for uni.? take your bike with you, you'll have plenty of time to cycle and its useful for getting around.

[Bennn]

I felt fine after the 25 miles, so yeah should be good for 40+, I'll just keep going for the day.

I probably will take my bike eventually but I want to check the area out first and see where I could store it.

[Mike the bike]

You store it on your bed Bennn, carefully cleaned and sheathed in a cashmere blanket. That's the law.

[coolboarder]

I probably will take my bike eventually but I want to check the area out first and see where I could store it.

Sensible approach - caution first. I had 2 bikes nicked at uni. from cycle stores but I soon shamelessly ingratiated myself with the janitors and lecturers so I found secure places to stash my bike.

[Pete Appleby 3]

You store it on your bed Bennn, carefully cleaned and sheathed in a cashmere blanket. That's the law.

I thought it was an Eiderdown, or am I showing my age?

[Paul4]

But as Bennn is about to become an impoversihed student, maybe a cashmere blanket is a little out of his reach. Perhaps a good quality down sleeping bag maybe a suitable alternative.
It maybe worth joining the gym at your uni so that you can keep the fitness levels up with you bike back at home and that way both arms with get a good work out rather than just your drinking arm

[Bennn]

haha, I like that last line.

What's a respectable speed to aim for, usually I do about 17mph, but I guess i should reduce this for further distances?

[Paul4]

One that you're comfortable with. Don't worry too much about speed, get the distance up and the speed will follow. Maybe set a goal, for example if your average speed is 13mph over 50 miles, set a goal of 14 or 15 mph next time and build up from there, but keep them realistic otherwise you'll get disheartened.
There may also be a club at your uni, so you'll find that cycling with others keeps your motivation levels up.

[Bennn]

Yeah i would like to join I club especially with all the free timeill have. unfortunately checked the website of accomadation and it doesn't appear that I'll be able to store it. in my room.