Fifty Plus (50+) - 44 Miles today!!

Set out this morning to do at least 40 miles---which would have been the first time for that distance for me since I started riding again last September. I got a flat about 8 miles into the ride which was the first flat I have had while on an extended ride---so I guess I have been lucky. Got it taken care of-BUT- unkown to me at the time I did something wrong and my tire was rubbing hard against the chain stay. I could not hear it and I'm not sure how long I rode like that---but it was at least 8 to 10 miles. I was getting real demoralized!! Was on the hilly part of the ride and I was just chugging along at 10 to 12 mph in a low gear and glad to get that. I stopped at 20 miles (a distance that I have done often)to take a break but was thinking I'll never make 40 and certainly am a long way off from my goal of doing a century this Fall. When I got off the bike I discovered the rear wheel was locked up. NO WONDER!! Lucky I did not blow that tire. Now feeling really stupid---I fixed it. Got "refueled" and set off for the second 20 miles which was all flat. I was riding with a slight wind and felt like Lance Armstrong. Legs felt fresh and I was cruising between 18 to 20 mph hour. Turned around with headed back to my truck into that wind. But even then---I was cruising at 18-19 mph. I went by someone who tried to jump on my wheel and I dropped them like a hot potato. Morale had definately improved!! Ended up doing 44 miles and confess that I was getting tired---but in a real good way---and my butt was pretty sore.

Hope to do my age (52) in a month or so and thinking about a century in September 06. I still have not fallen with my clipless shoes and pedals---but have come real close a couple of times. I keep dreaming of a new bike---but my 80's Univega and I have become good buddies. I have lost 55 pounds since late September 05 and am determined to lose another 30 before I get serious about another bike. For some reason I have hit a plateau at 255 lbs for the last month---and that is alternating biking with swimming a mile. I'm hoping that the 40 mile ride will jump start a downward trend again.

If you read all this---you are a trooper. I have enjoyed this forum and wanted to share progress. For some reason I have really taken to cycling this time around---and only hope I don't burn myself out by wanting to do more and more.

Way to go! I can tell from your ride description that when you do it riding your age will be a piece of cake. Well done!

sore.

Hope to do my age (52) in a month or so and thinking about a century in September 06. I still have not fallen with my clipless shoes and pedals---but have come real close a couple of times. I keep dreaming of a new bike---but my 80's Univega and I have become good buddies. I have lost 55 pounds since late September 05 and am determined to lose another 30 before I get serious about another bike. For some reason I have hit a plateau at 255 lbs for the last month---and that is alternating biking with swimming a mile. I'm hoping that the 40 mile ride will jump start a downward trend again.

If you read all this---you are a trooper. I have enjoyed this forum and wanted to share progress. For some reason I have really taken to cycling this time around---and only hope I don't burn myself out by wanting to do more and more.


If you can do 44 with a bit of extra effort due to back wheel problems- I reckon it will be 52 next week and the century a month later. Your idea about losing another 30lbs as a target for a new bike sounds great- although I think the amount you have lost so far warrants a bit of reward. Don't put yourself down by thinking that as your a newcomer- we are not interested in your news, and achievements- and failures for that matter. We like having a laugh at your expense- then remember that we did exactly the same thing last month. Keep posting and can't wait for the first fall- then we get all the stories about when we all fell off the bike for the first time- in traffic- with our old schoolfriends watching -and the story about the 22 year old nurse that comes to revive you and patch you up (Must stop day dreaming again)

Well done- but don't get rid of the old bike when the 30lbs is lost.

Way to go! I can tell from your ride description that when you do it riding your age will be a piece of cake. Well done!

+1

Terrific ride and report! Hey-we all do some things like you did with your wheel so don't beat yourself up about it. Sounds like you recovered really well. Keep up the miles and a century will easily be within reach later this year.

Once you hit a plateau on weight you either can increase the mileage while keeping the calorie intake constant or decrease the calorie intake. It's simply calories in versus calories out. At least that is what worked for me........and still does!

Great effort! Keep it up and you'll get the Century, the weight loss, and, I suspect, a new bike. Picking out the new bike might be the toughest part. Just ask Digital Gee :D

Nice report and good job on the ride. I don't know if you ever watched the old TV show Laugh In, but an actor, Artie Johnson, did something you ought to consider. He'd be riding a small tricycle and simply fall over on his side. I think you should find a nice soft grassy shoulder, come to a stop without unclipping and fall into the soft grass. That way you'll get it over with! (just kidding)

Eager to hear how your other benchmarks turn out.

Great effort! Keep it up and you'll get the Century, the weight loss, and, I suspect, a new bike. Picking out the new bike might be the toughest part. Just ask Digital Gee :D

Congratulations!

As for picking out the bike -- don't get me started. :D

Hey...coincidence!

I'm just back from doing 70km (43.75 miles). No decent rides in the central London area - everything choked with traffic even on a Sunday. I have a little 2.5km circuit in a quiet pleasant park. Got in a midgear on the big ring and just ground round and round. Actually an enjoyable afternoon - amazing what you see in parks.

The reason that I'm posting this is that although I have done longer rides, this is the first time that I've done any distance without being tormented with low back pain. The explanation?... all the helpful advice I got in this forum.

Al

Way to go! That 52 miles will be a "walk in the park" for you.

Also, welcome to the 50+ forum!

Steve

Hey...coincidence!

I'm just back from doing 70km (43.75 miles). No decent rides in the central London area - everything choked with traffic even on a Sunday. I have a little 2.5km circuit in a quiet pleasant park. Got in a midgear on the big ring and just ground round and round. Actually an enjoyable afternoon - amazing what you see in parks.

The reason that I'm posting this is that although I have done longer rides, this is the first time that I've done any distance without being tormented with low back pain. The explanation?... all the helpful advice I got in this forum.

Al

Glad we could help but time you did a few hills. London to brighton in a month so if you want to practice for that- see you at Ditchling- The top of course as we know a shortcut that misses the big hill.

Ah..hills, one of my many Achilles heels. I'm in denial.....

I'll be posting later - for some of that BikeForums therapy

I keep dreaming of a new bike---but my 80's Univega and I have become good buddies.

What model Univega do you have? Mine is an '84 Viva Sport that still gets a workout from time to time!:rolleyes:

Hey congrats on your 44-miler, but I think you could've done a 50 easy if you did'nt have the problems you had. I too am at a plateau at around 250, but hope to change that with my 14 mile daily commute I started doing. I just turned 50 last February, and look forward to contributing on this forum.

- congrats! after a while your 40+ milers will seem like short workouts!

- my riding buddy and i are working up to his birthday ride in Sept.: 68 miles! (tad over a metric century, yes?)

- keep up the great work on the weight loss... you're doing *lots* better than me, but i figure i'm on the two- to three-year program...

:-)