The classics season is well and truly underway, which means cobbles, bad weather and very very long days in the saddle. Last weekend’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad took in 196km of the best (worst) roads in Flanders, and in a couple of weeks, the peloton will ride no less than 291km from Milan to San Remo in one of the most monumental races of the season. Though 300km epics are perhaps a little out of reach for many amateur riders, who doesn’t love the challenge of a mammoth ride from time to time? Here’s how to prepare for a classic day on the bike.
Plan an epic route
It all starts with a well-planned route and if you’re after epic, you need to look for single track roads, cobbles and/or gravel, and as many short, sharp climbs as you can find. If you’re looking for the ultimate classics-style ride, many of the major Cobbled Classics have their own companion sportives that you can sign up for.
Bike
It’s not all about the bike, but it is pretty damn important, especially when the challenge you’re undertaking is of the cobbled, off-road, classics variety. All your favourite bike manufacturers produce machines designed specifically for just such an event. The characteristics of bikes like the Specialized Ruby, Trek Domane and Giant Defy are just as at home on the UK’s roads as those of northern Europe and their geometry is such that endurance and comfort are of paramount importance.
Setup
If you’re doing ‘epic’ properly, you’re going to need to carefully consider your bike’s setup. At this time of year, and on the terrain we’re talking about, what your wheels are wearing is very important if you want to avoid punctures and keep your fingers inside your gloves. Specialized make an aptly-named Roubaix tyre for optimum puncture resistance without compromising performance, while Continental continue to dominate the tyre market with their almost invincible range. To look after your hands on the rough stuff, you might even think about putting gel pads under your bar tape.
Accessories
The start of the classics season has been particularly cold, so much so that the peloton has resembled a training ride wrapped head to toe in all the kit they own. Arm warmers, knee warmers and a neck scarf are vital accessories and can be the difference between epic and misery.
Nutrition
It can be hard to get the right balance at this time of year but even when you don’t feel like eating, when you’re struggling to move your clumsy gloved fingers, taking on sufficient fuel on long and cold rides couldn’t be more important. Make sure you have plenty of gels, bars and water with you, but don’t forget that nutrition starts before you leave. Stock up on slow-release carbs like porridge at breakfast and don’t forget the coffee!
You should now be more than ready to take on your own classic ride, but if you need any more advice on bikes, kit or preparation, our in-store staff will be more than happy to help you out.
