First major ride

So...I'm thinking about doing a ride just under 300 miles on fixed! It will be my first ride over 50 miles and need some advice.
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[li]I am planning on doing it over 3 days with 2 nights in a b&b, does this sound normal? more/less?
Any advice on what the absolute essentials are and how to cut down on weight?
Any advice on bags? I can borrow a PAC bag if that would be best.
Will armadillos be good for puncture resistance or will my arse eventually pay the price?
Still on the arse issue... can anyone suggest a good seat for doing this kind of ride.
Clothing?[/li]
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Any more advice would be greatly appreciated!

Which 300miles? Like, hilly or flat etc?

In terms of physical preparation, build up your distances before the off. So say do 30 miles 1 weekend, 50 the next, then 75 just so that you're used to it.
Other stuff - not too sure really. FixedWheelNut knows about all this kind of stuff though.

Cool good luck you should be fine. Get some proper shorts though if you don't have any already. Idialy try to take some of the wight off of your back and put it onto the bike, try and strap some stuff under the seat to the bars e.t.c get water bottle cages. Less weight on you = less weight on your bum = happier bum.

Get a seatpost rack or saddlebag to save your back perhaps? I'm sure it would be more pleasant. Know & love your saddle before you set-off - whether brooks/gel/carbon etc.
You should probably check out some touring threads for detailed information - (not that the people on here won't know!)
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=40003
American site - http://bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=47

Probably down to cornwall. That was my other question....is that hilly or flat?

Its rather hilly down that way. I used a seatpost rack/bag combo:-

100 miles days will be tough enough without a bag on yer back. the seatpost option does affect the bikes handling.
and I sat on an Italia Flite all the way to John OGroats. Is there any such saddle that will still be 'comfortable' after 100?

(edit....its a ride I'm tempted to do myself on fixed)

Can get pretty hilly down in the west country - nothing too bad though

If you're going to take a bag, I wouldn't recommend taking a messenger one, take a rucksack of some sort - something that spreads the weight over both shoulders

That is fairly manageable, just set an easy pace. You would be surprised with how far you can ride in a day.

Yeah I was thinking about taking the A30 then stopping off in Exeter before going through Dartmoor.

i rode to paris with a postie bag and although it's relatively comfortable, i'm seconding the suggestions for you to get something more touring oriented... as for your arse, bring a pair of padded cycling shorts!

any suggestions for a rack to go on a bike with no braze ons?

you can get some that strap on to the seatpost - how much are you carrying?

hopefully not much. just the usual tools.(spanner. pump, multi tool, couple of tubes maybe), change of clothes (for when I get there) and some trainers, wash bag, probably a small DV camera. Have I missed anything?

bike lock(s), food and water :)

Oh yeah... lock can go around my waist and was planning on taking just water and stopping off for food, stocking up on chocolate bars etc when theres an empty stretch ahead.

Chocolate bars are probably a bad idea for a long ride. The sudden sugar rush will give you a boost, but then there's the crash.

Soreen Malt loaf, and low sugar breakfast bars would be better, imho.

I'd also try and get some 'Bodyglide' for your bum and other contact points (like where your sleeves rub on your arms, and your shoulders where the bag strap goes,etc) - prevention is better than cure; by the time you've noticed you're chafing, it's too late to do anything about it.

scott not scot
and stompy aka 'red pants' should know......aaaah...the dynamo...:)

Sad thing is - he's not kidding. Because everything went numb - I didn't realise the state I was in till I got home.

no need to lug a great big heavy lock all that way...get a cafe lock and always keep your bike in view...B&B's will stow your bike away safely. Go light as you can. Plenty of places to stop for refreshments, Little chef Olympic breakfast should do the job. Plently of caravans to draught!!

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/1153/groupID/36/categoryID/211/v/3d1846fc-9f3a-49e8-9ec2-c693dc397f38

Quite expensive but I think these bags would be good for long rides. Seem to hold loads.

http://www.carradice.co.uk/expedition-touring-bike-bags/super-c-saddlebag.shtml

silasmellor i rode to paris with a postie bag and although it's relatively comfortable, i'm seconding the suggestions for you to get something more touring oriented... as for your arse, bring a pair of padded cycling shorts!

yep, i toured with a postman bag in france this summer. So comfortable, i think.

You can have weight on your back, so long as you don't have too much. I'd say keep your baggage below 5kgs. No lock - unneceessary. No food - unnecessary. Just take change of pants/cycling shorts, maybe change of t-shirt. You must go as light as possible. This is especially important because you're riding fixed.