Why would you stop?

[FarHorizon]

Assuming you had the time, the inclination, and the route (with bathroom stops, meals provided, and adequate hydration) AND that you wanted to ride as far as you could in a single day, what would be the limiting factor (FOR YOU)?

I can tell'ya now, for me it would be seat pain. That &%*^(^%% saddle gets unbearable after about 30 minutes to an hour. No fit or adjustment (or alternate saddle) has helped.

[RockyMtnMerlin]

Over the years I have learned how to adjust my position on the bike to take care of most of things listed while riding or with a brief stop. But eventually, the legs would give out, especially if there were a bunch of hills.

[buelito]

When I did the "Nightmare Tour" in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania last yeat-- 187 miles in one day-- the thing that was going to stop me was the heat-- nothing to do with the body-- it reached 106 degreess, with very high humidity. That was what almost made me stop... there were only around 45 finishers of the 100 or so starters--mainly because of the heat...

train safe-

[Blackberry]

The only thing that ever made me stop was back pain so bad I couldn't walk.

[mollusk]

The thing that would stop me would be either darkness or the ocean.:D

[cruzMOKS]

If there was heat, I would not push to the limit.
I notice that I am getting used to the saddle of the volpe as I ride more.
My legs, though stronger month by month. They would probably be the first to give out.

[GrannyGear]

Depending on climbing and speed, the legs would tire.....but unless I'd pushed overly hard or had challenging terrain, maybe I would be more impeded by a coming together of general physical fatigue and mental fatigue. If you've ever bonked, you know how a little normal saddle soreness, neck stiffness, etc. can become magnified by negative perception and a general crabbiness towards all things bike. Even when you rationalize what's going on, it can still get to you. The equivalent of a frustrated golfer throwing his bag and clubs into the water trap......then later sheepishly fishing them out.

[rickkko]

(Other)

I rode 70 miles the other day. Only stopped a cumulative total of 10 minutes during ride. Reason for stopping, to hydrate myself with Gatorade. Of course I can drink and ride at the same time but I felt it too be a good idea to stop at least once per hour.

My bike seems to fit me well; no aches or pains.

..rickko..

[jcm]

For me, it's the knees. I've got the saddle/h'bar thing dialed in.

[Dchiefransom]

Getting back into riding now, I'm experiencing the problems with sore neck/back/wrists. My next bike will take care of this.

[cheeseflavor]

I don't know the answer yet. The farthest we've gone is just under 70mi.

Steve

[cheeseflavor]

When I did the "Nightmare Tour" in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania last yeat-- 187 miles in one day-- the thing that was going to stop me was the heat-- nothing to do with the body-- it reached 106 degreess, with very high humidity.

:eek: :eek:

You made it?!?

My hat's off to you. That's incredible.

Steve

[sdr]

interesting question which, from a hypothetical perspective, i would have to answer that weather would be the one condition that could possibly erode my mental attitude sufficiently to make me cry uncle.

i live with chronic pain in my lower back on a daily basis - have for years. neck and shoulder pain are pretty much a constant also. a severe bunion on my left foot becomes quite painful after 30 or 40 miles, and my legs have been known to grow weary. these things i can transcend mentally and have done so throughout the course of my life in numerous situations aside from cycling. biking has actually proven to be therapeutic and soothing for all but the bunion.

weather, however, is the one element in this 'what if' equation that i would honestly have to say might be sufficient to make me quit.

too hot and hills, as i experienced in rides last summer, brought me to the brink of heat prostration that common sense dictated a sudden stop.

too cold or rain and i just wouldn't be in it to begin with. a sudden change in weather, from warm to very cold with wind, and i'm certain that my determination would be seriously tested.

187 miles in temps of 106 degrees? wowsa! i have the name a renown psychiatrist, if you'd like?

[stapfam]

Assuming you had the time, the inclination, and the route (with bathroom stops, meals provided, and adequate hydration) AND that you wanted to ride as far as you could in a single day, what would be the limiting factor (FOR YOU)?

I can tell'ya now, for me it would be seat pain. That &%*^(^%% saddle gets unbearable after about 30 minutes to an hour. No fit or adjustment (or alternate saddle) has helped.

+1 on that seat pain. I do my 100 mile offroad excursion on a yearly basis, and That seat pain gets me after about 8 hours. Thats the trouble with riding a Tandem as you sit down a lot more on the thing.

I have attempted this ride 9 times now and only failed twice- Both of those were down to bad body preparation. One year I ran out of energy at around 60 miles, and the other time I started the ride with a knee twinge that I had had for a couple of weeks and at the same distance I realised that I would not make it to the end of the ride.

I've done the ride in Rain- continual for 12 of the 15 hours that took me- Done it in a 20mph headwind- That one hurt- Done it in 90Deg temps and did not even notice how hot it was thanks to 1 litre of liquid per hour. All I hope for this year is a gentle following tailwind- Dry weather for the week before to dry out the trails- And a co-rider that decides to steer the thing this year instead of falling off.

[sdr]

I've done the ride in Rain- continual for 12 of the 15 hours that took me- Done it in a 20mph headwind- That one hurt- Done it in 90Deg temps and did not even notice how hot it was thanks to 1 litre of liquid per hour. All I hope for this year is a gentle following tailwind- Dry weather for the week before to dry out the trails- And a co-rider that decides to steer the thing this year instead of falling off.

...and, you do it in the dirt! you're an animal! good luck this year! may the god's of cycling bless you with blue skies, low 70's and a brisk tailwind throughout your ride -- oh yeah, and a partner who doesn't fall off.

[Retro Grouch]

Certainly after 4 or 5 hours on the bike I'm just ready to go onto something else.

[stapfam]

You want to see a rider with Saddle soreness?? This ride was taken last year at the end of a gentle 35 miler. The pilot used to ride and was fit- and is not my normal co-rider. He started to suffer after 10 miles and I then suffered for the next 25 trying to help him along- Still got to give the pilot his dues- he went through the pain barrier and finished the ride, but has not been seen on a bike since.

[Monoborracho]

Assuming you had the time, the inclination, and the route (with bathroom stops, meals provided, and adequate hydration) AND that you wanted to ride as far as you could in a single day, what would be the limiting factor (FOR YOU)?

I can tell'ya now, for me it would be seat pain. That &%*^(^%% saddle gets unbearable after about 30 minutes to an hour. No fit or adjustment (or alternate saddle) has helped.

FH... if the pic in the Rogues Gallery is an indication, I suggest you consider something other than that foam saddle. My Brooks 67 becomes a little uncomfortable after about 4 hours or so if I sit too high. Chamois butter relieves the irritation for about 30 minutes at a whack after that. And there is NO PAIN THE NEXT DAY if I want to saddle up again. NONE. REALLY!

I know there are others who feel the same about something other than a Brooks. But I swear by mine.

[FarHorizon]

...I know there are others who feel the same about something other than a Brooks. But I swear by mine.

Thanks for the suggestion, Monoborracho, but I've been there, done that, and instead of swearing by my Brooks, I swear AT it (all three of them)! Unfortunately, everyone's bottom is different and a saddle that gives one rider booty bliss is fire and brimstone to another.

So far, I've tried WTB, Selle Italia, Brooks (B17, B69, and B72), Fizik, Specialized (Milano, Alias, & Avatar), and others that I've just forgotten. What I've found is that I'm most comfortable on saddles with a perineal cutout, and on saddles that have some padding. I know that my experience isn't universal, but that's what works best for me. Even the best aren't comfortable for too long, though.

I'll keep looking...

[Grampy™]

None of the above....

[Monoborracho]

Thanks for the suggestion, Monoborracho, but I've been there, done that, and instead of swearing by my Brooks, I swear AT it (all three of them)! Unfortunately, everyone's bottom is different and a saddle that gives one rider booty bliss is fire and brimstone to another.

So far, I've tried WTB, Selle Italia, Brooks (B17, B69, and B72), Fizik, Specialized (Milano, Alias, & Avatar), and others that I've just forgotten. What I've found is that I'm most comfortable on saddles with a perineal cutout, and on saddles that have some padding. I know that my experience isn't universal, but that's what works best for me. Even the best aren't comfortable for too long, though.

I'll keep looking...

For a long time I used a Serfas with a cutout. I still have it on one of my mountain bikes, but it hurt me one day when I got up to about 30 miles. By hurt I mean a sharp burning pain like a nerve. That was when I went to the Brooks for long distance. I hear where you're coming from.

Good luck.


".....and then the wheels came off"

[Carusoswi]

If I decided to ride all day, I doubt much of anything other than outright stormy weather would stop me. For some reason, if riding a bike that fits me properly, I don't suffer from any of the pain others describe - the saddle doesn't hurt me, and I never experience knee pain. On hills, I just slow down and take it easy going up, and, if it's a real killer climb, I allow myself to gradually gain momentum after reaching the top.

My rides vary from 10 miles to a high of 90 miles. Only stops are usually for something to drink when it is available (I don't carry a water bottle, maybe I should).

My riding style is probably terrible - I don't do much of the tuck thing, and my large chain ring is really large (63) and I use really long crank arms (185 mm) so that, when I so choose, I can really slow down my cadence and truly stretch out my legs - I try to vary my "stroke" so that I'm not doing it one way until my legs ache. I also don't wear special bike shoes, so I can vary my foot position on the pedals - sometimes I ride on the balls of my feet, sometimes like a clumsy ox right on my arches - whatever feels best at the time. Sometimes I take downhills spinning furiously to keep up - at others, I use my 63 ring with the 11 cog to really take it easy on the down hill. I almost never coast - but would if I felt like it.

I love the time I spend on my bike and usually do back to back six-hour rides on weekends, 10 to 30 miles daily during weekday evenings - I ride almost always alone unless one of the kids are home to ride with me (wife will have none of this nonsense!).

Once in a while, I'll fall in behind one of those athletic types on what appears to be a really expensive road bike - all crunched over, arms extended with those center type bars, decked out in threateningly colorful riding clothes, slim muscular legs bearing testament to his/(sometimes her) fitness. For fun, I'll try to see if I can keep the pace (from a distance, of course). I don't do too bad until he/she finally realizes what I'm doing and decides to kick it in high gear - then it is that I realize that, while I can reliably count on my body to keep me moving on the bike at a steady average of 15-18 mph (on level ground) for as long as I care to ride, there really isn't much left in me to sprint with those youngin's when they decide to give it the gas.

This is an interesting thread - and, I've answered honestly as I can - now, what would really happen and what I would really do if I tried this, well . . . that's anyone's guess. I doubt I'd give into the heat, though. On a really hot day, I'd make certain not only to replenish my fluids, but also my salts (I ain't too scientific 'bout it, but, I know that you can't allow perspiration to wash out your electrolytes - then you have heat stroke).

Thanks to FH for asking the question - and to all for so many good reads.

Now, it's a nice morning - I'm shutting down this 'puter and going for a ride - see you in 6.

Caruso

[Old Hammer Boy]

On the tandem, my butt.
On my half bike, my neck.

But, in either case I can handle 100 + miles without too many problems, especially later in the season.

[Cove]

legs muscles give out. Did it this morning, last 7 miles I felt I was dragging a cement block. Had a bottle of powerade that I drank. Appreciate any advice on how others beat this.

[grimdog]

Attempted to follow route of Stage 15 (Gap - Alpe d'Huez) last month. Temperature was nearly 100 degrees (for which I was not prepared). Severe nausea after 60 miles. Kept going another 45 or so. Couldn't get my heart rate above 130 or nausea turned into dry heaves, making the ride impossible. Legs, arms, back, neck, etc. all felt fine. I've experienced nausea on long/hot rides before, but always been able to ride through it. Not this time.

[will dehne]

The limit is available time, assuming proper nutrition, hydration, frequent stretching exercise, reasonable pace.
We did 150 miles/day at a brisk pace. I can see 200 at a slightly slower pace.

[BluesDawg]

Assuming you had the time, the inclination, and the route (with bathroom stops, meals provided, and adequate hydration) AND that you wanted to ride as far as you could in a single day, what would be the limiting factor (FOR YOU)?

I can tell'ya now, for me it would be seat pain. That &%*^(^%% saddle gets unbearable after about 30 minutes to an hour. No fit or adjustment (or alternate saddle) has helped.


I'd be happy to sit on my Brooks and ride Ribby, my Bridgestone, all day long. After 14 years, we are like a single organism. Nothing hurt after Sunday's century. I love my bike.

[gorditosan]

I'd stop for Mexican food or sushi! But usually it's the butt or or the legs that give out first.

[genec]

Neck... and the upper shoulders. I have different bikes, which allow me different positions on bikes, but no matter what I ride, the neck and shoulders seem to give out first. Funny thing is, I am a swimmer also... and easily swim a mile in open ocean... obviously using the shoulders and muscles around the neck.

This pain used to keep me from wearing a helmet back in the day when helmets were much heavier. I would wear it in town, but never on a longish ride or tour... it was just a pain in the neck.

[tribe3]

Longest I did so far is 59 miles and as I was ending the ride I believe all of the above was stopping me at the same time including my morale.

[howsteepisit]

Just run out of gas.

[jppe]

Really hard to say. However, when the riding stops being fun I usually figure out a way to stop riding....

[Garfield Cat]

Assuming you had the time, the inclination, and the route (with bathroom stops, meals provided, and adequate hydration) AND that you wanted to ride as far as you could in a single day, what would be the limiting factor (FOR YOU)?

I can tell'ya now, for me it would be seat pain. That &%*^(^%% saddle gets unbearable after about 30 minutes to an hour. No fit or adjustment (or alternate saddle) has helped.

For me it would be motivation. I would first start with the question: why do I want to ride as far as I could in a single day.

[NOS88]

I've ridden numerous full days while touring. Typically, they were 10 to 14 hours on the bike. Usually had to stop to find a place to camp. When the hills are steep, I change gears, spin and go slower. When it gets really hot, I drink lots and lots of fluids but try to go no slower than 15 MPH (that seems to be the speed at which the wind starts to make me feel cooler).

In a very real sense what stops me now is the clock. It seems I've always got some obligations to meet that make full day rides almost impossible. There is nothing I like better than getting up at daybreak and riding until dark, but until I retire, I won't be doing much of that.

[Richard Cranium]

I don't know foot pain or bad weather. I've got "nerve" or something that can make my toe get sore, but if I stop and rub it, I'm good for another hour or two, so I don't know if that counts for totally stoppping.

I do know that the only times I've quit on long distance rides is after riding a couple of hours riding in crappy weather. The real stopper for most people is dehydration, always leading to digestive distress, cramping and stopping.

[webist]

Most of my rides are a 16 or 20-mile circuit with beginning and end points at my house. I admit that sometimes the thought of completing another full circuit deters me from continuing when I might.

[Velo Dog]

Always the legs for me, but more so this year than usual. We're getting our house ready to sell, and I'm only doing about a third of my regular mileage. I start out feeling great, but within an hour my quads are going wobblewobblewobble....

[greywolf]

The second Pub, the first i could resist but by the second I would need some re-hydradion:beer:

[Terex]

Uh, my brain. I ride for fun and to improve my health. I stop riding (or at least take a break) whenever I feel that it's not safe. I'd call for a pickup or check into a motel before I rode beyond a reasonable level of safety (lack of focus, failing light, extreme heat, whatever...). I have no idea how far I could ride on a reasonably flat route. I don't intend to find out. I ride as far as I want to on almost every ride. Be safe. Be safe. Be safe.

Hey rickkko - I have a Trek 2300 too. It's a 2003 with a carbon fork. The 2004's had carbon fork and rear triangle. I think they quit making them after that. It seems to fit me with my long torso to inseam ration.