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backinthesaddle
07-02-06, 10:48 PM
Went out for a great ride today, 40 miles in 4 hours (including rest stops). Sounds slow to some of you, I'm sure, but remember that's faster than the 8 mph I posted back a month ago.

And I went out with a group, and for the first time I rode in the middle of the pack, instead of lagging behind. My body is somehow acclimating, I don't feel the need for a rest stop every 5-10 miles anymore, and I had power even at the end.

So this is progress, and the summer's only just begun!

Thanks for all your encouragement and support :D
pastorbobnlnh
07-03-06, 03:43 AM
Way to go BITS! Obviously you averaged better than 10mph while you were ITS! Cheers all around for you! My average speed hardly ever exceeds 13mph over a 30-40 mile ride. You are doing great!
DnvrFox
07-03-06, 05:40 AM
Good job. Onward and upward!
jppe
07-03-06, 08:04 AM
Outstanding BITS!! It sounds like you're being duly rewarded for all the riding you're doing. Signs of progress will continue to come at the most unexpected times and ways. Keep it up!
bcoppola
07-03-06, 08:53 AM
A few years ago when I started riding with a group on 'easy' rides, I was gasping like a beached fish and got dropped with some regularity. By mid-season I was keeping up easily. Now when I ride with a slightly more aggressive group and they hit 20mph+ from time to time it's just a mild sweat! Keep going!
edp773
07-03-06, 10:39 AM
Congratulations. The progress makes you feel good doesn't it? Besides that is about a 25% increase in speed.
backinthesaddle
07-03-06, 02:42 PM
I was gasping like a beached fish and got dropped with some regularity.

That's exactly what's it's been like. And then, just in the last month, it's like the fish has been dropped in the water and can swim again. Feels great!

Thanks again for everyone's encouragement!:)
stapfam
07-03-06, 03:07 PM
Takes a long time to get the legs and lungs in but to stay with a group like that for 40 miles after only a short time of riding is Pretty good- In fact, as we can tell from your report- Its marvellous. Now all you have to do is the 40 miles non stop- then the ride your age ride, and the the metric century. All of which will be by the end of the summer. (Take the camera for the birthday pie- They are getting a bit rare on the forum)
webist
07-03-06, 03:12 PM
It is a good feeling. Isn't it? Congratulations.
partbug
07-03-06, 08:31 PM
Congratulations.
silversmith
07-03-06, 10:08 PM
Went out for a great ride today, 40 miles in 4 hours (including rest stops). Sounds slow to some of you, I'm sure, but remember that's faster than the 8 mph I posted back a month ago.

HA! I set out today with this post in mind. I was certain that Back in the Saddle was slow as molasses and that I'd average much faster than 10pmh.

<<head hanging down>> I went 46 nearly flat miles in 4 hours and 45 minutes. 9.25 miles per hour.

Yes, I stopped in a neat old bike shop in Savanah IL for a good half hour. And I hit up a Subway this afternoon for a footlong Veggie Delite. And I stopped to literally smell the roses in the Thompson Sand Prarie Preserve.

But I was hammering more often than not. At least that's what I thought till I did the math.
dauphin
07-03-06, 10:34 PM
I think I averaged 11.63 today...couse I stink at math..
backinthesaddle
07-03-06, 11:27 PM
But I was hammering more often than not. At least that's what I thought till I did the math.

Silversmith, I think you got my point. When I leave for a ride, I can estimate when I'll be back home by dividng mileage by 8, or maybe now by 10. That includes rest stops, bathroom breaks, stopping to regroup, stopping to eat or drink, even admiring a view.

And until recently, many stops just to catch my breath. Which were necessary but discouraging how many there were. If I have fewer of those stops (which seems to be happening) my average will go up, but still will always be well below top hammerin' speed.

But I'm still loving it!
SingleSpeeDemon
07-03-06, 11:40 PM
My body is somehow acclimating, I don't feel the need for a rest stop every 5-10 miles anymore, and I had power even at the end.

Sounds like another doping case :D

Just kidding...your improvement rocks...it feels good to bust it and see a shift in performance. Rock on!!!