General Cycling Discussion - Amazing! I did it!

Completed my first 50 mile organized ride yesterday. The weather was HOT and HUMID -- temperature was 78F at 8am and it only got hotter, reaching at least 90F. Ugh. Thankfully, the rest stops were well stocked with water, gatorade, & snacks! I had 2 bottles and my Camelbak, too.

The route was pretty much continuous rolling hills (country roads) with only 2 major killer hills which I ended up walking. Many others walked those, too, so I didn't feel like such a loser. :) My boyfriend successully climbed all of those darn hills. The one really horrible one had his heart rate monitor going sky high though. I'm glad I walked that one! Still, I was passing other walkers. I think that 3mph is pretty good for walking uphill with a MTB w/ semi-slicks, don't you think? :) My average speed for the entire ride was 12.3 mph. (Ranged from hitting 20-30 mph on the downhills and waaaay slower than that on uphills, not to mention traffic stops.)

Other than the heat, the only problems I ran into were:

- Chain jumping off twice when shifting to small front chainring. (I need to get that checked out.)

- Sore butt by the end of the ride. (I'll work on that. Need to increase my weekly mileage.)

- Right knee was hurting (back of knee) around mile number 48 (How odd that it would happen then. Just glad it didn't happen earlier. I was able to finish... slowly.)

Hey, at least I did it! I'm proud of that. Of course, the next time I decide to ride a 50 miler, I'll pick a cooler time of the year. I have a new respect for the TDF riders now. :D

Excellant!!!! :beer:

Well done :)

Congratulations Julie. We all knew you could do it. :thumbup:


Originally posted by OctoberBlue
The route was pretty much continuous rolling hills (country roads) with only 2 major killer hills which I ended up walking. My boyfriend successully climbed all of those darn hills.
Next time take a rope and let him pull you up the tough hills. :D

Way to go!! I'm slated to do my first organized ride in August. I'll heed your warnings. :beer:

Great job!

:thumbup:

Superior job!!! Mark my words: those nasty hills will become a welcome challenge. Keep it up.

Unfortunately my schedule doesn't permit me to do many such rides. I get a kick out of hearing others' rides.

:thumbup:

Way to go, OctoberBlue. You have accomplished something significant. From here on, it only gets easier!

:fun:

Congrats, October Blue!

:thumbup:

Congrats!!! :beer: I haven't done any organized rides yet...but my first will be on Sept. 8th. It'll be a 75 mile run.

Any tips? Should I have 2 bottles of water or do you think it's useless weight?

Congrats :beer: . Geez, soon you'll be riding centuries and slaughtering perfectly innocent hills.

You da Woman!! Very excellent.

Originally posted by Cadd
Congrats!!! :beer: I haven't done any organized rides yet...but my first will be on Sept. 8th. It'll be a 75 mile run.

Any tips? Should I have 2 bottles of water or do you think it's useless weight?

You are going to RUN 75 miles. WOW!! :D

Are you serious about your water question? I hope not. Yes you need water. Some folks with Camelbak-type waterpacks sip continuously. What prompted the question. I am missing something here.

Originally posted by DnvrFox


You are going to RUN 75 miles. WOW!! :D

Are you serious about your water question? I hope not. Yes you need water. Some folks with Camelbak-type waterpacks sip continuously. What prompted the question. I am missing something here.
Yes, I was serious about the water question. I know we need lots of water, but how often is there usually a rest area where we can refill? I mean if we can refill every 8 miles, I think 1 bottle will be enough...but I guess I should bring 2 just in case.

Originally posted by Cadd

how often is there usually a rest area where we can refill?

For this particular ride, the rest stops were at approx. 13, 26, & 39 miles. As I said previously, I had 2 water bottles and a Camelbak. I refilled both bottles once each and topped off the Camelbak at the stops, also. (Actually, I was mixing Gatorade with water when I refilled.) Rest stops also had restrooms and snacks. Lunch was served at the end of the ride.

(I understand that the 100 mile ride had 4 water stops along its route, with a box lunch somewhere along the way, and dinner buffet at the end.)

Yes, I was serious about the water question. I know we need lots of water, but how often is there usually a rest area where we can refill? I mean if we can refill every 8 miles, I think 1 bottle will be enough...but I guess I should bring 2 just in case.

Always Be prepared is My motto. Saturday I did a 3 Gap training ride in North Georgia, Well My buddy was laughing at me because I had my CamelBack and 2 water bottles, He said "What, Are you going to do a century today?" I just ignored him. Well on the begginning of the second Gap he was yelling for me to stop. When I asked what 's wrong he said he was out of water on his camelback and If I could give him a bottle of water. I should have made him suffer to the top of the hill but I'm too nice to do that. Look Who's laughing now....

Always carry an extra bottle of water if not to be able to drench your head or something you may be able to help out a friend....

Originally posted by Cadd

Yes, I was serious about the water question. I know we need lots of water, but how often is there usually a rest area where we can refill? I mean if we can refill every 8 miles, I think 1 bottle will be enough...but I guess I should bring 2 just in case.

Most rides I have been on have rest stops about every 20-30 miles or so. I guess it depends on the ride and the location. Are there lots of 7-11's, for example, or is it out in the hot, hot country. On the Santa Fe Century, for example, there is only one store on the whole 100 mile ride that was open on Sunday. And absolutely no watering holes except as provided by the ride sponsors.

The rule is:

Drink before you are thirsty
Eat before you are hungry.

Many folks try to drink about a quart an hour or so.

I really don't think you can have too much water (within reason, of course). On the HardScrabble Century, I had two water bottles AND a camelbak. One of those bottles was filled with a sports drink. This involved a long, sweaty hill climb up to a mtn pass- but it snowed and was freezing at the top, most folks (including me) turned around and did only 60-70 miles. :mad:

Originally posted by Cadd

Yes, I was serious about the water question. I know we need lots of water, but how often is there usually a rest area where we can refill? I mean if we can refill every 8 miles, I think 1 bottle will be enough...but I guess I should bring 2 just in case.

I've been on rides that the volunteers decided to unvolunteer and there WAS NO REST STOP and NO WATER.

God bless all those wonderful volunteers, but don't trust them. Assume that you will have to hunt down your own water.

Thanks for everyone's input. Anything else I need to know before Sept.? This is what I'm planning to bring:

myself
bike
helmet
gloves
clipless shoes
TWO bottles of water

A pak under my seat filled with:
1 tube
tire irons
patch kit
money
credit card
cell phone

Now, what should I wear. Usually I ride in a tank top or a old dirty T-shirt with shorts. Should I invest in a pair of bike shorts?

FOOD! anything over 30-40 miles you have to have food. Bananas are great (they have potassium and calories), power bars (taste awful), snickers (but they melt) and I like GU to get me home. No grease, no fats, they can make you sick.

what distances are you riding now? If you can't get to 45 on a training ride you can't get to 75 on the ride.

AND BUY THE SHORTS! YOUR BUTZ WILL THANK YOU!

I see no snacks on your list.

A Power Bar or similar (perhaps two of these). A banana (stuffed in the back of your shirt jersey??

I can't ride without a sweat band, and, in fact, carry 3, one on my head and two wrapped around the seat post.

Any chance of cold or rain?

Sun Screen?

Clothing is at your option. I have seen everything, including a whole group of guys riding with Tuxedos on. You will likely be more comfortable in a pair of bike shorts and a Jersey, but they certainly are not required.

I generally carry some pain-killer, string, duct tape, needle (I use a 35 mm plastic cannister for items such as these) and soome basic tools. But, these are not necessary. I am generally the "everything but the kitchen sink" kind of guy, anyway.

Hey - have a lot of fun and enjoy yourself. It is a great experience.

Don't trust the FOX! Actually it is his wonderful wife that carries most of that stuff....other wise he couldn't make it up the hills like she can!!:roflmao: :lol: :roflmao:

Originally posted by 1oldRoadie
Don't trust the FOX! Actually it is his wonderful wife that carries most of that stuff....other wise he couldn't make it up the hills like she can!!:roflmao: :lol: :roflmao:

Yes, that is why I put the pannier on HER mtn bike!! :)

I'm with the Fox. Go with the Sunscreen. If your skin is anything like mine, you'll need it as much as the water. Riding while sunburned is rarely a pleasant experience, trust me.

Thanks for all the advice :) How can you carry sunscreen? It's so big. Do you think it'll last me if I have it on in the morning? Now food is the problem. Maybe I'll stop by a deli and get a sandwich or something along the route.

Again thanks for the advice...btw, I just got a pair of bike shorts today. Nicely padded. Now I need a bright color jersey that fits me. I'm a size SMALL and it's pretty difficult to find things in a small size.

Originally posted by Cadd
Thanks for all the advice :) How can you carry sunscreen? It's so big. Do you think it'll last me if I have it on in the morning? Now food is the problem. Maybe I'll stop by a deli and get a sandwich or something along the route.

Re: Sunscreen. I generally put it on of a morning and it tends to stay there all day. If you're going to do this, firstly, spend some $ and get some really good stuff (I use Banana Boat Ultra), and take the time before the ride to ensure it is rubbed into the skin properly. If not, you can probably find a small tube somewhere that will sit in a jersey pocket.

Re: Food. On my longer rides I also tend to buy stuff along the way. The key here is to find out something about your route and the towns you'll pass through so you know where you'll need to stop, how to pace yourself etc. I like getting bread rolls at bakeries personally.

Hope this helps.

Originally posted by OctoberBlue
Completed my first 50 mile organized ride yesterday. The weather was HOT and HUMID -- temperature was 78F at 8am and it only got hotter, reaching at least 90F.

Congrats OctoberBlue:beer:

Was that the Doylestown Ride? I know the area and what the weather was like yesterday. WOW!

Originally posted by Cadd
Thanks for everyone's input. Anything else I need to know before Sept.? This is what I'm planning to bring:

myself
bike
helmet
gloves
clipless shoes
TWO bottles of water

A pak under my seat filled with:
1 tube
tire irons
patch kit
money
credit card
cell phone

Now, what should I wear. Usually I ride in a tank top or a old
dirty T-shirt with shorts. Should I invest in a pair of bike shorts?

Yoy are bringing a tube and a patch kit, how about a pump (frame or CO2)

Cycling clothes make a world of difference, the shorts prevent chaffing and keep you drier. If you don't want the spandex look, try mtb baggies. I assume they have the same chamois found in the other type. The shirts made from coolmax don't absorb sweat and will keep you drier/cooler. (Do you need to wring out your tee shirt after a long ride?) Order online and it shouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

A big advantage to jerseys are the 3 pockets in the back most of them have. We road 62 miles today and I had a cell phone, 2 power bars, a jell pack and a bottle of gatorade in the jersey pockets. It wasn't an organized ride so there are not sag stops and I would rather be safe than sorry.

Oh yeah i also had 2 full water bottles on my bike one of them was 32oz and the other 24oz. We also stoped at a store and bought a bottle of water. There was none of the water left when we finished, however I did have one of the energy bars left.

When the temps are in the 90's and your pushing it you better have something for energy and hydration or you might be dead.

just my 2 cents worth.

Originally posted by Teding


Congrats OctoberBlue:beer:

Was that the Doylestown Ride? I know the area and what the weather was like yesterday. WOW!

No, it was in Richfield, Ohio which is northwest of Akron. Does Doylestown have the same kind of rolling terrain? I don't think I've ever been there... :)

Originally posted by Cadd

Now I need a bright color jersey that fits me. I'm a size SMALL and it's pretty difficult to find things in a small size.

You should be able to get some great deals on jerseys if you shop online. Many times, the smaller sizes are the ones on deep discount. I was lucky enough to find a couple of Sugoi jerseys on sale (50% off!) at the LBS' moving sale. (They moved to a larger store). The 3-pocket jerseys are great for easy access to energy bars, route map, etc.

WEAR SUNSCREEN. A crispy cyclist is an unhappy cyclist. Get the sweatproof or waterproof kind and apply liberally before you go. I was fine with one good application of 15 spf Coppertone waterproof. I didn't carry any with me for reapplication, but if you're prone to sunburn easily, bring a small tube, as Chris L said.

Originally posted by OctoberBlue


No, it was in Richfield, Ohio which is northwest of Akron. Does Doylestown have the same kind of rolling terrain? I don't think I've ever been there... :)

Very similar. Doylestown is southwest of Akron, between Akron and Wooster.