‘I didn’t own a gravel bike and hadn’t ridden more than 20 miles in 10 months: How I survived a multi-day off-road event on just 6 weeks of training

Five days of challenging gravel riding in tropical heat on almost zero training – what could go wrong?

Multi day gravel riding in Sri Lanka
Riding through Sri Lanka on gravel requires some training first
(Image credit: Michael Blann)

Sri Lanka is a country I have always wanted to visit, so when I saw the gravel event Ride Sri Lankan, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. The only problem was that it was six weeks before the start, I didn’t have a gravel bike, and I hadn’t ridden more than 20 miles in ten months.

One of the most common mistakes in a situation like this, and one I have made many times, is to go straight into panic training thinking that hammering out long and hard rides would be the ticket to fitness. To keep my panic in check I enlisted the help of Paul Vousden from Mapdec Cycle Works to help with a plan, which started with a fitness test, “You need to know where you are right now so we know what we are working with” was Vousden’s ominous introduction.

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Hannah Reynolds

Hannah Reynolds interest in cycling began while studying for a degree in Sports Science at the University College Chichester and surrounded by elite level cyclists. She is now undertaking a PhD at Sheffield Hallam University investigating the use of e-bikes by older people. 

A committed dabbler whose passion outweighed her talent Reynolds has competed across all disciplines of cycling bar BMX. In the very distant past she has been south-east road race champion, southern cyclo-cross champion and finished third in the European 24hr Solo mountain-bike champs in 2011. She was also the Fitness Editor of Cycling Weekly for 15 years. 

Hannah Reynolds is author of several cycling books, France-en-Velo a guide to the ultimate 1000 mile cycle route from the Channel to Med; Britain's Best Bike Ride. LEJOG1000; A 1000 mile journey from Land's End to John o' Groats and 1001 Cycling Tips

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