Tandem Cycling - 400 mile tandem bike ride

I know this sounds stupid but bare with me..

me and my best friend are going to attempt a 400 mile tandem bike ride next May time.
we are doing it in memory of our best friend who past away this easter and raising money for his charity. it is from Newcastle on the Uk to a town called Ashford just south of london.

We are both 21 and play alot of sports so this is a challenge we really looking forward to.
We can both cycle but have never attempted long distance on bikes so this is a new experience for us. this could proove to be very foolish but we are willing to put the training in to do this.

I am just interesed in gettng advice on what sort of training, food etc that we will need to do before the ride.

maybe a training plan would be good as we are completly clueless. i have looked on the internet but not really getting advice on tandem bike rides of this distance.

please could anyone give me initial advice or insight into what we are going to attempt?

God help us
Chris

me and my best friend are going to attempt a 400 mile tandem bike ride next May time.
...
We can both cycle but have never attempted long distance on bikes so this is a new experience for us.
I am just interested in getting advice on what sort of training, food etc that we will need to do before the ride.
God help us
Chris

In how many days? Whatever number of miles per day, you should have experienced that many miles in a single day, at least once or twice beforehand. Getting the miles in on a single is a satisfactory proxy, although if you're just learning to get along together on the tandem, that'll cost you some on the first day or two. You do need to ride the tandem enough (like several hundred km) to know that everything is working and doesn't need further adjustment.

It also makes a difference whether you're carrying everything with you, fully supported, or "credit card touring".

The challenge in May is that it is early in the season, so it won't be easy to get in enough extended saddle time beforehand.

400 miles in a week's time is very doable. As noted, you'll need to determine your longest day and work your training mileage up to that. Then get to the point where you can do it on back-to-back days.

As for special food, just eat well-balanced meals (or as close as you can come on the road) ahead of and during the ride. You'll find yourself eating a lot!

Good luck.

As noted above, the distance is not so much the issue as how much time do you plan to do it in.

In three or more days that is called touring and in the UK a lot of information can be found at http://www.ctc.org.uk/ and in the US it can be found at http://www.adventurecycling.org/

If you plan on riding a little faster, that is similar to Randonneuring and in the UK information can be found at http://www.aukweb.net/index2.htm and in the US at http://www.rusa.org/

I, Homeyba and I think Thebulls have completed several 600k (375 miles) rides in 40 hours or less on tandems and can help with specific questions. You might get better answers to endurance questions on the long distance forum.

If you plan on doing it in less than 24 hours, that is what I consider racing. Information on training for that speed can be found at http://www.ultracycling.com/ Homeyba is a good source as he is a four time RAAM (Race Across America) finisher.

All of the issues that a single bike rider has in terms of physical conditioning are similar on the tandem. The big thing on the tandem is being able to get along with your partner when you are tired, wet, sore, hungry and hot/cold. That is not as easy as it sounds.

Yeah, I'd just whip that out in one day. :)

I think you need to provide some more details for us to help you out a little better.

we will be doing it in beggining of june..and willprobably try it over 5-6 days baut maybe 7 with a rest day..not sure.
does anyone know where we can get cheap bikes at all aswell? maybe a link on this site somewhere
Cheers

we will be doing it in beggining of june..and will probably try it over 5-6 days baut maybe 7 with a rest day..not sure.
does anyone know where we can get cheap bikes at all aswell? maybe a link on this site somewhere
Cheers

6 days should be a piece fo cake with a little prep. A lot has to do with how much you carry, and what the terrain is like. Just follow the advice of the astute posters above and you will have a great time, and I hope a very sucessful fund raiser. A fitting tribute.

As for a cheap tandem, there are a few to choose from. Part of the answer has to do with what type of set up you want; Road or Mtb. There is a thread on a Mongoose MTB type tandem in this forum.

I'm a bit biased but I like the Lamborghini Vaiggio, a road bike setu up. $500 - $600 US. Has 8 x 3 spd Mricroshift brifters. Check Amazon or Ebay "buyitnow." Don't know about UK vendors or delivery.

Another similar inexpesive road option is the Kent International. Same frame but in steel. Cheaper components. Sells for about $275 US on ebay or amazon.

If you opt for an online purchase, be prepared to invest time and some $ in adjustments and perhaps upgrades. The bikes have good (not great) strong frames, but "department store" quality parts. You will want to get time adjusted and put in several hundred kms of break-in time. Search this forum for my "Our New Lamborghini" post for my "review" of the Lambo. I think it's pretty unbiased.

Another option you might want to check out is a LBS sponsorship. Just maybe you can find an LBS that will provide a loaner for the event, or better yet, for several months so you can train. I know that Trek in the US provides "half bikes" for charity rides like the MS 150 and such. If you can do it, that would be the way to go.

Good luck, and post pix and progress reports.

The UK has a good website on tandeming.
Believe a popular UK-built tandem is the Thorn . . . pricier, but much more reliable, than a department store tandem. Buy the best tandem you can afford (new or used).
400 miles in a week is very do-able. We've done several 500 to 550 mile 1-week tours here in Arizona (US) with over 20,000 ft. of clmbing (yes, we have mountains here).
Plan ahead. Get a decent tandem. Do lots of riding TWOgether!
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem