23rd February 2015
@Roballan07: So Tim, what is your choice of fuel for long endurance rides? I am partial to sausage rolls
TW - hi Rob, love a good sausage roll. Jelly babies, beans on toast and porridge also featured in the Trafalgar Way ride though
@TimmyReid: which hour of the 24hr race is the hardest from a mental perspective?
TW - Hi Tim, for me, it is somewhere around hour 17-18. That’s when your beginning to feel tired, but before the adrenaline kicks in.
@FalmouthTownUK: Hi Tim what is the most challenging road on the whole route? #TwitterTakeover
TW - Cornwall & Dartmoor are a brutal start, but probably also the most scenic of the route. A real beauty and the beast section
@Jonhinio: Hi Tim, what do you recommend are key sessions for time crunched cyclists. Can’t always get out for a long ride being a Dad
TW - Hills! If there is one thing that is guaranteed to make you stronger, it’s riding more hills. Do a short, fast hilly route
TW - if you’re really masochist go for some hill reps I’ve got a great climb near me - beach to radar station with 250m elevation
@Jonhinio: how many do you do there?
TW - not many…. It finishes in a 25% kick. But I’m planning on doing an Everest on that climb later this year. x36 reps
@Andytomlinson Hi Tim, what kind of weekly mileage were you doing in the build up to RTTW?
TW - I’m a bit of a mileage enthusiast Andy. I reckon with commuting, it was between 400-550km a week on average.
TW - it’s about quality as much as quantity tbh Andy. I could get away with doing less, but I eat too much cake.
@TriedOnline which cycling computer do you use for long endurance rides?
TW - I’d recommend the @GarminUK 810 or Touring, you can plug a cable in the back and charge on the bike if needs be
@JudithBrand how do you plan your nutrition? #TwitterTakeover
TW - Hi Judith, I had three main meal stops on the Trafalgar ride. Lunch, dinner and a midnight bowl of porridge. 1/2
TW - 2/2 then I just kept eating steadily on a variety of foods, it’s all about a mixture and not running your stores down
@KatarinaTanti i love going up hills but terrified of descents…. Any tips?? Besides closing my eyes?? #cycling #uktrichat
TW - damn! Don’t close your eyes Katerina! Just practice, practice, practice. Try to stay relaxed and .... 1/2
TW - 2/2 don’t make sudden movements. Brake gradually, and never brake when you’re turning
@DanStendall Best road bike for an AG’er?? Mrs Stendall is allowing me to have a new stead!!
TW - lucky man Dan! I’m riding a @FeltBicycles AR (Aero Road) this year, I haven’t collected it yet, but it looks stunning and AERO!
My trusty S22 got me to Edmonton! Love the New Felt AR! “Darling, let’s go shopping to..”
TW - send me a picture when you get one! It’s a beautiful bike.
@_chloe_mw: what did you eat after cycling 312 miles in 24 hours last year? #allaboutthefood #TwitterTakeover
TW - It is indeed Chloe! I had a full English, a coffee the size of a pint glass, and a large piece of cake
@73Mr_b: Hi Tim please can your share more about your bike set up for your epic ride last October?
TW - Yes indeed! I used my @FeltBicycles F1, with a shorter @fizikofficial stem than usual, and Di2 electronic gearing
@73Mr_B: did u use a short stem coz u were riding long distance or it’s what u usually ride?
TW - short stem to give more upright position for endurance, less stretched out than racing pos
@Andytomlinson: will you train on the Felt mostly or do you have a different bike for training?
TW - I do all of my mid week riding on a Reynolds tubed Peugeot touring bike. It weights a ton (16kgs)
@NickiAitken: riding TDF this year, all 21 stages! Any tips on nutrition etc.. To be honest, any tips welcome! #TwitterTakeover
TW - that’s impressive Nicki! V. impressive! My best nutrition tip is recover right by eating enough protein: repair those muscles!
@NickiAitken: thank you! Any training tips? In the mountains for 2 weeks in May (Italy) as prep…time on saddle or anything specific?
TW - I love Italy, I’d do lots of mountain climbs, the long periods at threshold effort will help improve your fitness significantly
@NickiAitken: awesome thank you! Can’t wait to ride, a dream come true. Appreciate your advice & support
@readgruppetto: How many spare tubes do you carry on epic rides?
TW - two in my saddlebag, with spare instant patches as well. They fit comfortably in a @sciconbags Compact
@readgruppetto: I love to eat pork scratchings when doing a century ride for fat and salt. Good or bad???
TW - I’d go for salted peanuts instead, then you get the benefit of the protein
@RichardGatesTM: Hi @timwiggins1 advice for starting out, going to do one of the stages once fit enough!
TW - work on the hills Richard, there are plenty of them in the first stages of the route!
@DrJBikeFit: with all the hours in the saddle you do, have you had a bike fit?
TW - I haven’t actually, I’ve just experiment a lot with my position over time. I soon realise if something isn’t quite right.
@73Mr_B: what gear ratio step up did you ride #TrafalgarWay on?
TW - 11-28 on the back, and a 53/39 chain set. I’d use a 52/36 chain set if I did it again I think.
@readgruppetto: How do you stay focussed on a 300 mile ride and not veer into traffic?
TW - it’s amazing how your focus increases when it gets dark. A whole new set of senses kicks in. That, and a lot of caffeine.
@readgruppetto: In cafe format or within gels?
TW - a bit of both, a few welcomed coffees in the early hours worked a treat.
@HollieCradduck: what lighting would you use when doing a 24hr race?
TW - I’d go for something with at least 600 lumens, which will last for a good few hours on that power. @LezyneUK are good.
@muddyfunkster75: I have trouble getting a comfortable saddle. I’ve been measured. Still a problem on long rides.. Any tips?
TW - try a saddle with a cut out section, it can help to relieve the pressure in that sensitive area.