United Energy Around the Bay
Want to have a go at a bike riding event, but not sure where to start? Check out this very simple guide to get you from your couch to riding United Energy Around the Bay in six weeks.
Been a while between rides? Getting back on the bike can be daunting. One sure-fire way to kickstart your motivation is by signing up to an event in the not-so-distant future.
You don’t have to be an elite athlete to enter a bike riding event. There’s plenty of social events, like United Energy Around the Bay, that are designed to be a personal challenge, a bit of fun, and a celebration of your own ride at your own pace. Even better is that you don’t need special gear – just a bike, a pair of runners and some clothes that you’re comfortable getting a little sweaty in.
This year, we’re riding United Energy Around the Bay on Sunday 8 October, but don’t worry, you haven’t missed the boat.
Even for inexperienced riders, the Family Ride, 50km and 100km rides at United Energy Around the Bay are highly achievable with six weeks between now and event day – or even less.
To help show just how it easy it is – we’ve put together a really simple, uncomplicated guide to help you prepare for the ride and get to the start line feeling ready to go!
Week 1
Get started
You don’t have to pedal yourself into the ground, but as with most things, the hardest part is getting started.
A good way to overcome the first obstacle is to remove the barriers. It’s too easy to make a last-minute excuse. Have your riding clothes, helmet and bike ready the night before, so you’re ready to go when the time comes – no excuses.
It doesn’t have to be every day, and it doesn’t have to be very far, but week one is all about having a ride, or two, or three, to start getting the legs and wheels spinning. Riding to work, or part way, is a great way to start building a routine. It’s all about getting comfortable and familiar with your bike.
Week 2
Check your bike
Once you’ve got over the first hurdle and blown the cobwebs off the bike, it’s probably a good time to take a closer look at your machine. If it’s been a while, or a lifetime, since you’ve been in a riding routine, you should consider getting a professional bike service and/or fitting.
Any good bike shop (or good bike riding friend) can help you tune up your bike and make sure it’s set up to make riding as comfortable and efficient as possible. This includes having your seat height at a level where your leg is completely straight when you rest a flat foot on your pedal at its lowest point.
Learn more
Week 3
Keep pedalling
Keep pedalling. As your fitness and comfort builds, you may want to increase your distance a little. Invite a friend to come along with you so you can encourage each other.
Craving some extra motivation? United Energy Around the Bay is proud to support our official charity partner, Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision. By fundraising for Maddie’s Vision you’re helping fund research that will result in faster diagnosis, better treatments, tailored support and improved outcomes for patients and families impacted by Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes.
It’s never too late to start fundraising.
#FightLikeMaddie
CREATE RIDER PAGE
Week 4
Spend some time in the saddle
You don’t have to ride the full distance before the event, as you can always leave something in the tank to achieve with the adrenaline and excitement of the big day. But you should familiarise yourself with some longer time in the saddle.
With an average speed of about 12km/h, you could spend over 1.5 hours (20kms) or over four hours in the saddle for the 50 kilometre ride. If you haven’t spent extended hours on the bike before, you’ll soon find out that the hardest part is in fact the seat.
You may have a sore tailbone after your first hour-long ride, but you quickly get used to this, so it’s wise to harden up the bum before the main event so that you can focus on soaking up the atmosphere of Australia’s biggest celebration of bike riding… and not your sore butt.
Week 5
Food and drink
It’s important that as you start to increase your distances that you start paying attention to what your body is telling you it needs while riding.
Chances are that if you’re a not a regular rider, you’ve probably never really paid much attention to what you eat or drink while you ride. And truth be told, for the Family Ride or 50km ride, you don’t need to adopt any extreme diet changes.
All you need to really remember is energy in = energy out. Foods with a low GI provide your body with sustained energy over a longer period of time. This helps keep your blood sugar levels stable and helps ensure you can perform at your best
For example, fruit and a tub of low-fat yoghurt, or an English muffin with honey/jam around one to four hours before training will help boost your energy.
Lean protein, such as red meat and fish, will help you recover from the last ride and build strength.
It’s also important to stay well hydrated. Drink plenty of water before you start your training session. Then replenish your fluid levels at least every 20 minutes or so after exercise.
When on a longer ride, you should try to either eat or drink something every 10 minutes, and only drink water with food – sports drinks should be taken alone.
It’s not every week you get to take part in such an iconic Melbourne event. Jump online and check out the route you’ll be taking to help build the excitement.
The Family Ride has a brand new route for 2023 on fully closed roads around Albert Park. If you’re taking on the 50km or 100km ride you will have the unique experience of riding over the Westgate Bridge, which may seem daunting, but there’s nothing to fear! It’s just a short climb on a fully closed lane to unlock stunning views of Melbourne.
Now’s also a good time to finalise your kit for the big day and go for a ride in the clothes you intend to wear, carrying everything you will carry on event day, so you don’t stumble across any surprises.
Interested in some more structured training?
Check our our easy-to-follow training guides which will help you prepare for your ride and get you to the start line feeling fit, fresh, and ready to go.
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