Inexperienced mountain biker preparing for the cycle challenge

[Charlie600]

Hi guys,

 

I trust that everyone experienced a fantastic weekend!

 

Even though I only recently joined the MTB community I entered the cycle challenge last week (what is life without a challenge)? To be ready for 97km in 6 week's time is going to be a tough one but I started spinning like a mofo in the mornings (3x per week) and also do a bit of road riding now.

 

Problem is that I'm however not too sure what my tyre pressure need to be, my racing ralphs are running at 1.8 bar for off-road use (1.90m, 100kg) but not sure what it need to be for the cycle challenge. 2.5, 3 even?

 

And then lastly, should I go for a complete fork & shock lockout or can I leave it in the semi open position to save my butt (SID RCT3 at the front and Monarch rt3 at the back)?

[RockCoach]

Get some slick tyres for the event. They are cheap as chips. Pump them to the hardest recommended pressure and lock out your bike completely.

[=Bones=]

Get some slick tyres for the event. They are cheap as chips. Pump them to the hardest recommended pressure and lock out your bike completely.

 

+1... slicks will make the world of difference over that distance

[Anine]

also try www.fittrack.co.za they have very helpful training plans. plots your workouts on a graph to tell you if you're on track or not

[Guest Travis.]

The tar will really chow those racing ralphs. They're not the most hardy of tires. And +1 with slick!

[DJR]

Hi Charlie, welcome to the Hub, where you will get good answers (like the above) to your questions, but also some that might be a bit "out the box".

 

Like the following:

 

Check the classifieds for a cheap road bike, there are some real bargains and almost any half decent road bike will be better than a mtb in a race like this. For R4 - 5000 you can get something that wil FLY, and you will be able to sell it (almost for sure) without losing money.

Edited October 8, 2012 by DJR

[HappyMartin]

If you are going to race on a road bike you need to train on a road bike. When I rode my first road bike I almost had a heart attack going up a steep hill. No granny gear on road bikes.

[DJR]

...........When I rode my first road bike I almost had a heart attack going up a steep hill. No granny gear on road bikes.

I also started on the mtb before I got a road bike, which is why I am laughing. I went back to the shop and asked whether I could have a compact crankset. The guy basically (and correctly) told me to first HTFU and if that failed, to come talk to him again. Thats what I did and I never looked back.