Long post alert!!!
I’m not very good with my uni. I find it hard to make the time and often go months in between riding, infact I’ve just started back after something like 3 years off. But I’ve imporoved more in the last week than in the last 5 years, so I’m feeling pretty good about that.
Anyway, I always like a goal to aim for which is something I’ve been lacking with my uni. Without a goal it’s too easy to simply “not bother”. I’ve had an idea and would like some advice/info from those experienced riders amongst you lot.
To put this into perspective.
Where I am now.
I can ride and turn. No idea how far i can go in one shot as I practice in a small area but likely only a few hundred meters. Can’t quite freemount with any reliability. Currently only have one uni which is a real cheap 20".
This time next year some friends are doing a charity cycle ride, cycling the coast to coast (yes, on those odd two wheeled contraptions!). For those that don’t know, this is a 150 mile-ish journey from the east coast to the south coast (or vice versa) of the UK, usually split over 3 or 4 days (they’ll be doing it in 3).
My goal is to tag along on a uni. So I’ve effectively given myself a year to go from riding a few hundred meters to roughly 50 miles a day. Not a lot for some but certainly way way beyond my current ability.
So, now for the advice.
Firstly, any tips for improving my riding in general? And from that, and more importantly, tips for training for longer distances?
Secondly, some opinions on uni type & size, though this could be complicated. Last year they did a combination of road and trail riding. So my options are to do my own route sticking to road only and meet up with them at checkpoints. Or stick with them meaning either getting two different uni’s, one for road and one for trails (though I may not be able to afford two decent uni’s), or one all rounder.
I’m not worried about keeping up with anyone, though not being left way behind would be nice, just the challenge of completing.
So, over to you lot.
Thanks in advance.