Ride at your own pace. Don’t treat this as a race and don’t try and keep up with someone riding above your pace. The aim is to complete the 400 miles in 4 days. Change your position often. Move your hands, get up off the saddle, stretch your arms, shoulders and neck, arch your back and stretch out. Avoid staying in one position too long. There will be water stops along the route. Take advantage of this time to get off the bike and refill your water bottles, never let your water bottle run empty.
Keep these stops to 10 minutes or less or you may risk getting stiff. Find a group at your pace and stick to it. The ride will go faster and feel easier with a friend or two. Don’t let your head beat your legs, it might get uncomfortable, painful and exhausting but it won’t last for ever and you’ll feel amazing once back in Magherafelt.
