Training / Preparation & Route Update
Vietnam Cycle Routing - Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City Final Route
Kilometre’s Elevation Gain Mts
Day 1:Hanoi to Cho Ben 73.63 78 Thursday 8th November
Day 2: Cho Ben to Cam Thuy 83.04 353 Day 3: Cam Thuy to Yen Cat 72.18 574
Day 2: Cho Ben to Cam Thuy 83.04 353 Day 3: Cam Thuy to Yen Cat 72.18 574
Day 10: Rest day - Hue Alternative route
Original Route – 1948.75 Kms Alternative Route- 1861.87 Kms
Elevation gain - 18'741 Mtr Elevation gain 14'669 Mtr
Alex's training and personal equipment
I have a good reasonable level of all round fitness due to a physically demanding job and also the fact I like to keep fit and healthy. Aside from work and living a generally active life, I keep fit by working out in the gym 2-3 times per week (Both weight training and cardio) and from running as well as cycling. I actually (especially come this time of year) run more than I do cycle, However due to this trip i have been trying to get on the saddle as much as possible. I have combined time on the saddle a few ways, on the bike I am taking to Vietnam, my road bike and also on the spin bikes at the gym. Although I am defiantly quite a way behind Stuart in terms on actual 'Bike mileage' over the last sort of 6 months or so, hopefully my all round level of fitness will see me through OK throughout our trip. I have covered more than our average daily distance, with a lot more climbing involved (on my road bike it must be said) previously numerous times before, But there is no doubt with the added weight, change of Bike, the number of consecutive days in the saddle, the humidity / Heavy rains and all that comes with being in a foreign country, that this trip will be a epic challenge for us, but one that we are both now really looking forward too.
With regards to equipment & clothing I am taking, it is not too far different from Stuart (Minus some Tech).
We are obviously limited to some extent to what we can take with us due to carrying all our belongings on our bicycles. The more I take the more weight I have too carry with me each day on the bike so hopefully the balance will be just right.
Cycling Clothes
1 x Bib shorts
2 x Cycle shorts
2 x Cycle tops
1 x Cycle Vest
1 X Water proof Jacket
Overshoes
SPD Cycling Shoes
Fingerless gloves
Hat
2 x Socks
Arm warmers
Helmet
Personal Clothing
3 x T-shirt
1 x Long sleeve top
3 x Shorts
Trainers
2 X Socks
4 x Underwear
Swimtrunks
Sunglasses.
Overnight bag - Razors, Shave gel,Toothbrush / Paste, Wash wipes, Sunscreen, Deodorant.
I also have some extra basic first aid equipment and tablets additional to what Stuart is carrying.
Nutrition ( Usually, I like to rely on pre-exercise food and during exercise just water and natural food, but with the nature of this trip I will be taking the below as back up)
I have a good reasonable level of all round fitness due to a physically demanding job and also the fact I like to keep fit and healthy. Aside from work and living a generally active life, I keep fit by working out in the gym 2-3 times per week (Both weight training and cardio) and from running as well as cycling. I actually (especially come this time of year) run more than I do cycle, However due to this trip i have been trying to get on the saddle as much as possible. I have combined time on the saddle a few ways, on the bike I am taking to Vietnam, my road bike and also on the spin bikes at the gym. Although I am defiantly quite a way behind Stuart in terms on actual 'Bike mileage' over the last sort of 6 months or so, hopefully my all round level of fitness will see me through OK throughout our trip. I have covered more than our average daily distance, with a lot more climbing involved (on my road bike it must be said) previously numerous times before, But there is no doubt with the added weight, change of Bike, the number of consecutive days in the saddle, the humidity / Heavy rains and all that comes with being in a foreign country, that this trip will be a epic challenge for us, but one that we are both now really looking forward too.
With regards to equipment & clothing I am taking, it is not too far different from Stuart (Minus some Tech).
We are obviously limited to some extent to what we can take with us due to carrying all our belongings on our bicycles. The more I take the more weight I have too carry with me each day on the bike so hopefully the balance will be just right.
Cycling Clothes
1 x Bib shorts
2 x Cycle shorts
2 x Cycle tops
1 x Cycle Vest
1 X Water proof Jacket
Overshoes
SPD Cycling Shoes
Fingerless gloves
Hat
2 x Socks
Arm warmers
Helmet
Personal Clothing
3 x T-shirt
1 x Long sleeve top
3 x Shorts
Trainers
2 X Socks
4 x Underwear
Swimtrunks
Sunglasses.
Overnight bag - Razors, Shave gel,Toothbrush / Paste, Wash wipes, Sunscreen, Deodorant.
I also have some extra basic first aid equipment and tablets additional to what Stuart is carrying.
Nutrition ( Usually, I like to rely on pre-exercise food and during exercise just water and natural food, but with the nature of this trip I will be taking the below as back up)
20 X Energy Gels
Electrolyte tablets and sachets.
Again, I would like to take this opportunity the thank everybody who has sponsored us thus far, your kind donations will help out ST Catherine's Hospice greatly. Hopefully we can raise some more yet throughout our journey, no matter how large or small all donations go a long way for this fantastic charity and are greatly appreciated.
Thanks very much
Alex
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| Alex-Fully loaded test run. Top of Belmont. |
I like to keep myself fit by cycling & running occasionally, I also like to lift weights a few times a week. Preparing for this trip I have increased my cardio and cycling fitness by cycling longer distances and I am also fortunate enough to cycle a lot in Tenerife so I am able to train on the slopes of Mt Tiede which is Spain’s highest mountain. This enables me to do a lot of cycling with climbs in excess of 2000Mtrs.
I have also been out cycling on the actual bike I am taking to Vietnam, fully loaded with approximately the same weight my belongings will weigh during the tour, covering similar daily distances and climbing elevation. First time I went out it felt very strange with the excess weight your carrying and the bike swaying a little, but once you get used to the weight and slower pace it’s OK. These training runs also gave me an idea of the speeds we are likely to achieve which in turn gives us an idea of daily distances we can cover. Despite all the training, nothing will compare to what we are about to experience as we cannot simulate the 30-degree heat & humidity, heavy rains, jet lag for the first few days which will affect sleep, language barriers, finding accommodation each day we arrive into a town, food, I have eaten Vietnamese food twice before and should be OK but all this will affect the tour but this is why I am looking forward to it so much.
After doing the training runs I have decided to take two of the 20L Ortleib Paniers. My personal belongings will contain the following.
Cycling Clothing
Two pairs of bib shorts
3 cycling tops
2 pair of socks
1 pair of shimano SPD cycling shoes
Set of Assos rain bootie overshoes
Assos lightweight wind / rain jacket
Cycling cap
Cycling crash helmet
Personal Clothing & equipment
2 x T shirts
2 x Nike Dryfit shorts
1 x Nike Dryfit vest
2 pair of socks
3 pair of underwear
Nike Flynit trainers
Swimwear ( hopefully will get the chance )
sunglasses ( cycling & personal )
Overnight bag containing shaving eq / soap / deodorant / tooth brush/paste / sunscreen / sun block lip balm.
First aid kit
Nutrition
20 x SIS Gels
8 tubes of High Five electrolytes tablets
Almonds & Medjool dates ( just while we find fruits or other foods we can buy along the way )
Tech Equipment
Ipad with Logitech Bluetooth keyboard
Nikon waterproof Camera
IPhone ( intend on getting a Vietnamese SIM for data )
Garmin Edge 1030 ( loaded with the entire route from hotel in Hanoi to hotel in HCMC with the detour options ). I don’t want to risk Google maps as I am sure we will go through areas where there is no mobile coverage, the Garmin uses not only GPS but also GLONASS satellite.
Garmin 935 Forerunner watch with the route also loaded as backup to the 1030.
RAVPOWER 25000mAh solar chargeable battery bank – This will charge two devices simultaneously.
I have covered my bicycle in a previous post. The only additional item I have added is a bicycle kickstand. Finally Insurance – I have used a special company to insure myself and Alex for this unsupported tour. Getting the correct level of cover for this tour was an absolute minefield. I have used www.pedalcover.co.uk. Thanks to Johnathan Whiteside who I rode with in Northern Spain for this recommendation.
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| Sunday evening packing bikes |
Fund Raising Update
We set out to raise £ 2000 and to date we have raised over £ 1600. Myself & Alex wish to thank all the businesses, Kirkham Grammar School, friends & many others from as far afield as the USA who have donated to our charity - St Catherine’s Hospice.
We would also like to thank Marcos & Alberto Delgado ( and Eloy, Mamma & Terry ) from Tenerife Bike Training www.tenerifebiketraining.com
TBT have assisted us with media support through there large network of cycling friends and have also coached myself and Alex over the last three years on very tough but enjoyable cycling holidays in Canaries & Mainland Spain. TBT is a family business and offers all levels of cyclist very memorable & enjoyable cycling holidays throughout the Canary Islands, Mainland Spain & France.
TBT have assisted us with media support through there large network of cycling friends and have also coached myself and Alex over the last three years on very tough but enjoyable cycling holidays in Canaries & Mainland Spain. TBT is a family business and offers all levels of cyclist very memorable & enjoyable cycling holidays throughout the Canary Islands, Mainland Spain & France.
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| Just about to ascend Mt Tiede from Guimar |
I hope you like our blog and cycling challenge and if you would like to donate please visit our Just Giving page or contact us personally ( stuart.cooper@silverchic.net) were we can assign your donation. 100% of all donations go to St Catherine’s Hospice.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hanoi2hcmcycling
St Catherine's Hospice, which looks after and cares for people with serious illness such as cancer, heart failure, motor neurone disease & Parkinson's disease.
https://www.stcatherines.co.uk/
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