cycle touring questions re fitness

jameverywhere

so i wanted to do my cycle tour of Ireland in July still, but I'm not sure I'm physically ready, wanted advice.

In May I was able to easily do two days in a row of loaded touring, 80 km per day, with only mild manageable pains from soreness etc.

I did the tour of Louth, 50 km version, in two hours (unloaded bike) 20 days ago.

I was cycling almost daily and going out for two hours + at LEAST once or twice a week since like December (except for a few weeks when I was in bed sick with the flu)

however, I haven't been on the bike since the 7th of June because I went on vacation in England (did a minor bit of cycling on the london rental bikes but they don't count), then came home with food poisoning (from celiac disease) and have been in bed doing very little for the past four days. from all the walking I did in England I had very sore, painful hamstrings and a bit of medial knee pain, caused by walking only but I don't know what effect cycling might have on it if I go.

do you think that if I rest up and do some short cycles over the next week, I'll be ready for 30+ days of cycling 50-80 km a day on a loaded bike?

I'm a masochist so I'll take painkillers for my knees and just DO it but I don't want to hurt myself...

god I'm rambling. sorry. Tips for going on a month-long tour starting july 2nd would be appreciated. cheers.

feck sake lads

well why don't you load up your bike and head over to virgina camp over night and make your way home.
or head up north do a tour of lough neigh couple nights camping.
are you from the louth area.

jameverywhere

naw I live in dublin

Tonyandthewhale

Well you'll be in Ireland anyway. So unless you're in a very bad way with your knees and hamstrings head off on day one and see how it goes. If you run into trouble you can always take the bus home.

Gaz eile

30 days in the saddle in July.............. Bring plenty of Vasaline!!!!!!!!!

Speaking from experience.

Gaz.

Ole Rodrigo

The time you have spent in the saddle will probably serve you better than your fitness. If you can manage to do 5 days or so of 5 hours + each day ( even at a low average speed ), that should condition you for the second, third and fourth week. The first week might be a bit tough, eat proper food and drink lots of water.

feck sake lads

jameverywhere wrote: »

naw I live in dublin

ah well we all have our own problems :D
seriously though load it up and head off for a couple days, i take it your going to camp. so bring all your camping gear are you going to do your own cooking if so bring the gear take a notepad and make notes of gear you need or don't need whatever.
you will soon find out how the knees are holding up, and FFS don't be pushing glory gears.
thats all have a good one.;)

jameverywhere

that's true I can always turn back if I run into pain.

I think most of this was looking for encouragement to just set off XD

gonna take it nice and slow on week one and take at least one rest day a week maybe. cycling is easier on the knees than walking, and if I wasn't cycling i'd be on vacation and walking, so this is probably better anyway (I'm gonna keep tellin myself that)

I will be camping yeah I have most of the gear already, and will be picking up the rest of the gear I need on monday or tuesday

feck sake lads

jameverywhere wrote: »

that's true I can always turn back if I run into pain.

I think most of this was looking for encouragement to just set off XD

gonna take it nice and slow on week one and take at least one rest day a week maybe. cycling is easier on the knees than walking, and if I wasn't cycling i'd be on vacation and walking, so this is probably better anyway (I'm gonna keep tellin myself that)

I will be camping yeah I have most of the gear already, and will be picking up the rest of the gear I need on monday or tuesday

excellent don't forger a small radio life saver honest.;)

thebouldwhacker

Sounds just about the right amount of training to me......
Remember you definitly cycle on your stomach. diet on the bike is more important than hours on the saddle. You will be more than fine.

If your around west cork there is a campsite at the base of Hungary hill, cork side of the Healy Pass, great place, showers, kitchen etc, great pub and all on the water side. Don't camp in glengarrif, camp site is so bad its scary.
Enjoy!

feck sake lads

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

Sounds just about the right amount of training to me......
Remember you definitly cycle on your stomach. diet on the bike is more important than hours on the saddle. You will be more than fine.

If your around west cork there is a campsite at the base of Hungary hill, cork side of the Healy Pass, great place, showers, kitchen etc, great pub and all on the water side. Don't camp in glengarrif, camp site is so bad its scary.
Enjoy!

yeah i stayed there couple weeks back not great indeed we were eater alive with midges crookhaven campsite is pretty good .

Ole Rodrigo

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

diet on the bike is more important than hours on the saddle.
Enjoy!

Apologies, I should have clarified, hours in the saddle is more important as part of preparation. A good diet whilst touring is essential, especially recovery carbs at the end of the day. Without that the following days will be tough going. Enjoy