1) What type of bike should I be using?
2) How much money should I be spending?
3) What other kit will I need?
Disclaimer: Given that I'm only a month or so into this process, I'm hardly an expert. The best thing I did was to phone up a bike shop and ask the experts! But here's how I went about answering these questions...
1) What type of bike should I be using?
The main dilemma I faced here was the Road Bike v Touring Bike debate. Whilst a road bike would undoubtedly be faster and more suited to eating up the miles, I did wonder if a more comfortable touring work-horse might be more appropriate. In the end, we both plumped for something of a compromise, in the form of a Specialized Secteur (below). This leans slightly towards the road bike side of things, but with a geometry and gearing setup aimed at longer days in the saddle.
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| My trusty steed. |
I have had Specialized bikes before, and happened to know a bike company I trusted (http://www.edinburghbicycle.com) that supplied them. When it comes down to it, most of the main manufacturers seem to make something fairly similar, so I went with what I knew.
I should also point out that there are a huge range of ways to do lejog. In many ways, doing the lejog/jogle is a lot like the London marathon, in that the range of participants involved is so huge. Everyone from the super-fit athlete to the guy in the chicken suit. We're opting for the more conventional approach. If you're after a more surreal/adventurous expedition, I've seen everything from single-speed bikes to 7-seater "conference bike" (see http://cobiuk.blogspot.com) so go nuts!
2) How much money should I be spending?
No easy answer here really. I spent as much as I felt I could afford, in order to ensure I had a bike that I was comfortable with (after all, that saddle and my derriere are going to be spending an awful lot of time together in the next few months) and one that I felt was reliable.
3) What other kit will I need?
Basics, and what I's consider essentials, include:
Padded shorts - (see above comments re: derriere)
Fingerless gloves - to stop some of the road buzz and for protection should I decide to fall off
Helmet - for keeping my brains in
I'd say once you have that lot, you're away. However, I found that the following additions made for more comfortable, rewarding and generally enjoyable training rides:
Ipod - much better than listening to my legs screaming in agony...
Wind jacket - I started out using my everyday outdoor jacket, but found that the baggy fit created a wind-sock effect. I have since splashed out on a rather fetching yellow (or rather, YELLOW!) hi-vis cycling jacket.
Eyewear - not that I'm breaking any land speed records, but I found it far better to shield my eyes from the breeze/flies.
Saddle bag - a small bag to carry my phone, some spares/tools and a Mars bar.
Cycle Computer - as I mentioned before, I found that getting some feedback really adds to the enjoyment of training. If you happen to have an iPhone (sorry non iPhoners) then I'd highly recommend an app called 'Cyclemeter' - it does everything my £30 bike computer does and more, for just £3! Additional handy features include automatic social networking updates (great for boring your family and friends!) and altitude info, which is useful too.
Hope that's of some use. I'll update the Kit List as and when. Cheers for now
