h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: An Amateurs Guide to Long-Distance Cycling - A28443927
Author: Eco Worrier - U290

Flea Market Rescue. Original thread - F3797784?thread=2485356 changes from thread made, general tidy up, and title tweak.

I'm not sure this one can go through unless someone who knows more about cycling than me comments, but let me know what you think.

Any comments on this one?

Let me come back to it.

I like this, it's concise and readable. The one point I have is that it does seem to focus a bit too much on Audax-style events, rather than just cycling a long way for the fun and exercise.

With these types of rides, one utterly essential item is a set of panniers to carry spare clothes and food. A GPS might also be useful, and there are now a few models designed specifically for bikes and cost a reasonable amount. Also on a non-Audax style ride, the clip in shoes aren't so essential, and can actually be a bit of a nuisance if riding over rough terrain.

There are a number of long-distance cycleways such as the Pennine cycleway, the Trans-Pennine Trail and the Coast to Coast, managed and maintained by Sustrans (www.sustrans.org).

Under nutrition, you could put something about bonking, which is when you haven't eaten enough. At best, bonking is deeply unpleasant, with tunnel vision, racing pulse and an odd feeling of detachment from your surroundings. At worst it can lead to serious accidents - I've seen cyclists ride straight into cars or off the road because they were bonking.
Best way to avoid it is to keep a supply of sugary things close to hand and snack as much as possible. Bananas are a good preventative measure too - the potassium will help you avoid cramps as well

Good work

No thanks to me, I just copied it!

I've added your comments (including one as a quote as I thought it was hilarious) so I've added you as a contributor. Let me know if you want to be removed, or moved to 'additional research by'.

Also added some links.

If you're going to put my name on it, I'll make sure I earn it.

For helmets, a number of companies (often the more expensive ones) will replace a helmet that has been in an accident, either for free or for a small fee. Their business plan is that it's easier to sell their other wares to living customers than dead ones.

A set of lights are indispensible, preferably dynamos (lights that use the movement of the bike wheels to provide power, rather than batteries) that won't go off when you stop at lights. As well as being neccessary at night, a long distance ride may include a long tunnel, where the lights are quite useful.

Sunscreen is essential, even in winter, as the back of your neck will be constantly exposed to the sun. And the edge of a helmet scraping across sunburn is not nice.

At the beginning I'd put in a quick sentence about the different types of long distance rides, i.e Audax events, and the less-organized type of putting your leg over the crossbar and simply starting to pedal. As it stands, the first part of this sentence:

"With these types of rides, one utterly essential item is a set of panniers to carry spare clothes and food"

... doesn't make any sense as it hasn't been explained what the other type of ride is. In the same paragraph I'd tweak the sentence about GPS so it reads:

"A GPS might also be useful, and there are now a few reasonably priced models designed specifically for bikes"

Under Lose Weight I'd add a little bit to the end of the fizzy sweets and drinks line

"Cut out sugars such as fizzy drinks and sweets except when doing substantial training rides"

One of the motivations I'd have for going out on long rides was because I allowed myself to have sweets and fizzy pop while I was out. Crude but effective.

I'd also change the sentence about the symptoms of bonking to:

"At best, bonking is deeply unpleasant, causing tunnel vision, a racing pulse and an odd feeling of detachment from your surroundings"

I know I orginally wrote it, but it seemed badly phrased.

And finally, under the Enjoy! header I'd add:

"For most people, completting an Audax-style event, or one of the long-distance cycleways, will be the experience of a lifetime"

I hope this isn't too much, but like I say, I'd like to earn the credit.

I'm a little concerned about the use of the word 'bonking'.

At least around these parts, it is also a euphemism for sexual intercourse. There could be some misunderstanding.

Perhaps a footnote or something about it being a technical term or whatever?

Especially with:

"At best, bonking is deeply unpleasant, causing tunnel vision, a racing pulse and an odd feeling of detachment from your surroundings"

That's why I liked that quoted bit!

I thought I'd addressed the 'new' meaning for bonking, but now I read it back I hadn't. I'll add a footnote to that, and go through the rest of this thread changes soon. Can't do it now, the sun is shining right in my eyes and I can't see a thing. It's ok for posts, but not something I've got to concentrate on!

Sorry, haven't forgotten this, will get to it asap.

All changed done.

I really like it - especially the footnote

A couple of small points but I'll do them later as I should be working right now

Oh not more.



I wanted the footnote to say:

"A technical cycling term. Not to be confused with boinking" and have boinking link to the Sex entry (), but I'm not sure that would clear up any confusion.

I think this still needs a thorough read-through. There are quite a few spelling mistakes, as well as the occasional strange '40 � 60 mile ride' thrown in. There are also a number of hyphens in sentences that look odd, where commas or semi-colons should be used instead (for example, 'But, when you have asked lots of people to sponsor you - you will not want to lose face backing out or let down the charity.') It's almost there, but not quite.

Made so many little changes that I stopped looking at it as an entire entry.

All subbed and hopefully lovely now.

Lovely indeed - it pleaseth me

I think this Entry has just gone round the final bend and is pedalling furiously for the line...

A24656628 I wonder if we can sneak in a link to 606?

A24620410 there's an afterwards too.

Do you have to use a racing bike for this, or can you use a mountain bike or a BMX?