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Hi
Ive entered the YD300 this summer and Im enjoying getting into the training. Ive ridden mountain bikes regularly for a few years and have a bit of background knowledge in training as I work as a sports physio and treat marathon runners/ironman triathletes regularly but the longest event I've ever done is the tour of Ben Nevis so an endurance event like this that includes bivvying is way out of my comfort zone.
Do any of you experienced endurance cyclists have any good tips for me to help with the training and the event itself
Many thanks in advance
James
Training, get some longish rides in.
If you don't already, do some core strength work.
Take it nice and steady.
If you are breathing hard you are going to fast.
If a hill gets steep enough that you are working hard, get off and push.
Do some longish rides (you don't say where you live) that are a mixture of road, easy track and short sections of more technical terrain as that's typical of longer rides in the Dales.
Don't aim to race, just go at a pace that you think you can keep going all day (and night). Look at energy economy: as richpips says, get off and push or carry if you start struggling to ride it and that goes for downhill as well as uphill.
Figure out what kit you need for a variety of conditions - gale force winds and horizontal rain need a little bit more than if it were a dry, warm gentle breeze. Ride your bike with this loaded so you know what to expect. Find out what works and doesn't work for you. Don't try anything new food or kit wise on the event itself, get it sorted beforehand. Also very important to work out a food strategy