BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi!

Am heading off travelling in a matter of months now, and am taking part in a cycle from bangkok to ho chi minh to raise money for charities out there.

Has anybody any advice for me, bearing in mind I'm Irish, female and pastey!!!... what kind of training should I be concentrating on to get myself ready for this?! The bike I'll be using is a mountain bike (dear God, (thank you!) with a gel seat cover!!!)I think the plan is about 50 miles a day.

Really looking forward to hearing from anyone who can help, or who has been there and knows what I'm letting myself in for!!!

thanks a million,
Cal

Cal,

I've done a week long bike ride through France, camping out each night and have travelled all over SE Asia ( not using a bike ). I suggest you get the following equipment:

spare inner tubes
inner tube repair kit
bike repair kit
helmet with visor
bike gloves
cycle pants
long sleeve shirt
sunblock
paniers ( saddle bags )
good map
front / rear LED lights
water bottles ( I use a 6 liter collapsible )
camping knife

I suggest you try to go as light as possible, seriously a day pack's worth of stuff will do.

I suggest you do less than 50 miles a day. I know you are trying to raise money but it still has to be enjoyable. If you start at 7am every morning and cycle for 4-5 hours you will avoid a lot of the sweltering heat and have the rest of the day to enjoy. Believe me sweating away for the whole day isn't fun.

I found using an electrolyte solution extremely good for helping me hydrate. The one I used was a British brand called IsoStar and came in 1 kilo packs. I'd drop a spoon or 2 into a liter of water and it would enable me to hold onto the water rather than just guzzling more and more.

Good luck

Nick

Hiya Nick!

Thanks a million...
Will be writing down that list pronto!

IsoStar... can u get that in Ireland?!? must have a look. Sounds like a good plan.

You're a star!
All the best,
Cal

Hi Cal,

Here's a link to the IsoStar drink site.

http://www.isostar.com/pro/content/fast_hydration.htm

Nick

You're a pet, Nick.

I'll check it out and get some supplies!

All the best,
Cal

thanks a million for the advice about Isostar, Nick. Have just come back from Asia... completed the cycle challenge... and having suffered majorly from the heat and having to cover long distances each day in those conditions... I was so delighted to have it. Indeed, other members of my group thank you too!!!

Anyways... just wanted to say thanks Nick...
And Happy New Year!!!

Cal xxx