Your Advice Needed
I received the following question from a reader today:
I was wondering if you could help me. I am doing a charity cycle ride in September from London to Paris. I haven't got a bike yet and was wondering if you could advise me on the kind of bike that I can get. I basically need a bike for this cycle event but I also want to continue using it around the city after I've done the event. I can't afford to spend too much money on a bike so need a good one, but one that won't cost me an arm and a leg!!! Also, this is the first big cycle event I will doing in my life and could really do with some tips/advice on how to go about training for it!!
Here's a chance for you to give some input. Maybe you have a bike that you love that would be great for this type of event. Or maybe your experience in training for something similar could be helpful, too.
Weigh in with your insight in the forum or offer a comment below.
Image (c) Antoine Millet.
Comments
I recommend the KHS Urban Xtreme. It’s a flat bar road bike that can tackle centuries or can take you to work. I believe that there’s a distributor in France.
First, realize you are not Lance Armstrong. You will have to build up to riding that distance. Next how much do you want to spend for that new bike or do you really want a brand new bike? I have several bikes that actually cost very little, ranging from a triathlon bike to an off road bike. You can find a bike that will be cheaper if its used. Use the offline sites or go to a bike shop and see what they have for sale, ie used. get a good helmet and the correct clothing. once your have all your equipment helmet, gloves shirts and riding pants, start riding a distance you feel comfortable with and set a goal to ride each day, yes i said each day. going from london to paris will take a lot of preperation. i ride at least ten miles a day. not much you think? but i also ride charity events.. and i am 67 years old and usually ride the 75 mile events oh and one more thing have fun good luck
I would suggest something that floats since you will be crossing the English Channel; otherwise I suppose you could go by Chunnel, but I think you must be on the train for that. For a good around town bike, after the train ride, look at the Giant FCR1; around $900 to $1000 dollars, fairly light at about 22 Lbs, very good components.