How do i train for the Long Beach 26.2 Bike Tour marathon?

[Ivan]

I am going to enter in the Long Beach Bike marathon next year and i was wondering how to start training for it, the marathon is a 26.2 mile bike tour that starts at 6 in the morning and includes some hills, im a bit of a heavy guy but can be quite athletic and wanted to know what training exercises to do, nutrition and how my bike should be set up for the actual marathon itself, i currently have around 11 months to start training for the marathon so i need the best guide to train for it and also to lose weight as well.

 

[JohnM]

You need a bike that fits. A road bike will be the most efficient followed by a fitness hybrid. Start out with short rides until you get use to the saddle and increase your time and distance a little each week. A 26 mile ride will be around 2 hours once you get into shape. You don't need anything special to eat just make it healthy. Start out with an easy 10 min warm up and then pedal at 70-90 rpms in a gear that is easy to spin. Don't mash on the pedals it will kill your legs very quickly if you are not use to it. Drink plenty of water, a sip or two every 20 min depending on the weather. Cycling shorts and a jersey can make a huge difference in keeping you cool and comfortable.