Fifty Plus (50+) - Assault on Mt Mitchell Report

Wonderful day and ride. Terrific results. No cramping....hooray!!

A new personal best for me and my brother. I had my previous best time last year and improved on that by another 16 minutes. I was totally surprised but everything fell in place perfectly today. The first time I did the ride 6 years ago my time was 8hrs 15 mins. Today I was able to finish in 6hr 38 mins. Just another example of how you can continue to improve over time and overcome some of this aging stuff.

I usually am able to hang with the front group for about 30 miles. For some unexplained reason I was extremely fortunate to have stayed with the Peloton the first 65 miles where I had to jump off as I had run dry of fluids. If I had even thought of being able to stay that long I could have carried another water bottle and maybe gotten another 15-20 miles until the real climbing started-but I'm totally thrilled as it is.

The weather was pretty good for riding. It was very cloudy all day and we never saw or felt the heat of the sun. While it was very humid, it was probably in the 70's just about the entire ride, especially with the cooler temps as we increased in elevation.

I was so worried about cramping I did everything I knew to do the week before and I guess something helped. I increased fluid intake, tooks some potassium supplements, stopped my diuretic 5 days prior to the event, took some electrolytes capsules the day before the ride and took 3 more during the ride. I had one or two little muscle tweaks late in the ride but no real cramps whatsoever.

I guess my preparation was just right for me leading up to the ride. I suspect the familiarity with the route helped as well-knowing where you can go fast and knowing where to conserve. And knowing you're just going to go slow and grind it out on the Parkway for 3 hours so you know to just sit back and spin and try and keep the form.

I tossed a coin on using the 12-27 cassette or the 11-32. I knew that I'd be spending most of the last 25 miles in either the 34/27 or the 34/28 (next to easiest gear on the 11-32) and went with the 11-32. I did use the 32 from around 100-101 miles as I just didn't have a lot of push left in the legs and tried to spin a little faster. It was nice having it as a bailout and the 28 didn't seem to slow be down too much over the 27.

And of course the aide of the 50+ BFer's...couldn't have done it without the Bike Angels!!!

The stats:

102.71 miles
Riding time-6hrs 35 min
Total time-6hrs 38 mins (2 quick stops)
Avg speed-15.6 mph (note I did the first 65 miles in 2hrs 58 mins for 21.9 mph avg)
Max speed-45.9 mph
8538 calories burned
Nutrition on the bike: 2 Bananas, 6 peanut butter crackers, 1 Gu
Fluids-5 bottles of 24 ounce drinks-about 1/2 water and 1/2 sports drink
Avg Cadence-75rpm
Total feet climbed-10,600-11,000
First 75 miles-3hrs 28 mins
Last 27 miles-3 hrs 10 mins

Kudos! I'm flabbergasted at those stats. Incredible performance.

Kudos! I'm flabbergasted at those stats. Incredible performance.

+1

Congratulations on a fantastic ride:)

Wow, that is *awesome* *amazing* and *impressive*!

Congratulations!

Words escape me.
:beer:

Great job and keep it up.:beer: . You, I and my wife are certainly bracketing the possibilities for high performance biking. Let's keep pushing the envelope.;)

You're not human, jppe. You're an illegal alien from another galaxy.

<lookin' over data>

*thunk*

<gettin' up slowly from floor>

Day-um. That's one incredible Assault on Mount Mitchell. And now I'm feelin' really small that I didn't ride at all today because of some little thunderclaps all afternoon. :(

I am The Wuss! :cry:

jppe,

I took the new BMC out for quick 10 miler yesterday in your honor, glad to see we helped. Great Job, you continue to just astonish me.

We need a new forum just for jppe (and a couple of others). The 50+ Superpeople Forum!

Is that a wall or mountain ? NO thanks, nice ride.

congrats! Fantastic ride. How do you compare it to Mountains of Misery?

I am a firm believer that the bike is the 'fountain of youth'... motivation to keep up with the younger set, and then pushing them, because they don't want to get beat by 'the old guy'...

congratulations on a great ride--maybe we can do it together next year-

train safe-

Great ride, jppe! I ain't even going to tell you what the puny amount of climbing was that my wife and I did on our 25.4 mile tandem ride.

Wow!
Quite an accomplishment!

Paul

[QUOTE=buelito]How do you compare it to Mountains of Misery?QUOTE]

Very good question. Mountains of Misery is an excellent training ride for AOMM. I'm really glad I did it as I think it helped if nothing more than just time in the saddle doing hills. What really makes MOM is the last 3 miles. My goodness. The steepness of that climb after 100+ miles is hard to duplicate. Plus, with some longer climbs throughout MOM, it is harder to stay grouped up so you find yourself doing more of the ride solo.

For AOMM, there is not as much climbing the first 75 miles so you can ride with groups better but the last 25 is a grind. The last 25 is not steep but it just wears on you after a while-both physically and mentally. You're going along grades of 6%-8% and it just keeps going up and up and up. There is no relief in spinning so you're constantly pedaling for about 3 hours-except for a very brief downhill at about 92 miles. The road up to the top in the park has grades of about 9-11% and I was at least two gears easier than normal. It was frustrating not having the power to push the gear you want to push but I took satisfaction in moving forward.

My time was a little slower on MOM but part of that was I didn't have any power in the legs that day for some reason. I could never get my heartrate up to where I normally ride so from a time perspective it's hard for me to judge which one takes me longer.

Overall I'd say they are very comparable time wise but just different styles of centuries. One thing they have in common is they are both great challenges and leave you feeling pretty used up afterwards.

Damn! What a climb!

Nicely done! Now the guilt is kicking in, and I'll have to starting my climbing training again. Wow, what a ride.

Kudos! I'm flabbergasted at those stats. Incredible performance.
+1 as well.

And thanks for the pix . . . makes me want to jump on my bike and head for the top of Grand Mesa (my nemisis about 30 miles away and 5,500 feet above my house!)

Great time on the Assault! I rode it back in '88 (yeah, before I was 50+!) and remember it was a beautiful ride with dramatic changes in weather as we rode up the mountain. Don't remember my time, but it probably wasn't as fast as yours!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

Wonderful day and ride. Terrific results. No cramping....hooray!!



I tossed a coin on using the 12-27 cassette or the 11-32. I knew that I'd be spending most of the last 25 miles in either the 34/27 or the 34/28 (next to easiest gear on the 11-32) and went with the 11-32. I did use the 32 from around 100-101 miles as I just didn't have a lot of push left in the legs and tried to spin a little faster. It was nice having it as a bailout and the 28 didn't seem to slow be down too much over the 27.




Congrats on the ride but You have given me hope- If you can do it with a compact- I should be able to make my 1 mile steep ones with one aswell. Just as long as they don't suddenly get longer.

Well done on the ride but get by the pool and have a piece of pie- That is providing the Non-Riders for support from yesterday haven't eaten it already

I remember the most difficult part for me was a road called "Buck Creek" (if I'm remembering that right). The last miles (after we hit the Blue Ridge Parkway) weren't that bad for me.

Though that was quite a few years ago, so maybe Buck Creek isn't part of the ride any longer. Lots of steep switchbacks, for sure!

Rick / OCRR

I remember the most difficult part for me was a road called "Buck Creek" (if I'm remembering that right). The last miles (after we hit the Blue Ridge Parkway) weren't that bad for me.

Though that was quite a few years ago, so maybe Buck Creek isn't part of the ride any longer. Lots of steep switchbacks, for sure!

Rick / OCRR

Could it have been Bill's Creek Rd by chance? It's the first real climb on the route and tends to separate the field. There is a Buck Creek Rd but it is 100+ miles west of the route........

Maybe . . . it was awhile ago. But it was the road from the main big town (at about the 100 mile point) up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, whatever that's called. Or, . . . maybe it was Buck Creek and they've changed the route since '88?

I just remember it was steep, lots of switchbacks. If I looked down, I was looking right on top of the helmet of the person behind me. If I looked up, I was looking at the bottom of the bottom bracket shell of the bike ahead of me. Plus, they had rest-stops (checkpoints?) spaced every 5 miles on this road. I was in my 30x27, which I remember only because my Mercian is still geared that way.

On the other hand, I could be miss-remembering the name of the road!

Rick / OCRR

Maybe . . . it was awhile ago. But it was the road from the main big town (at about the 100 mile point) up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, whatever that's called. Or, . . . maybe it was Buck Creek and they've changed the route since '88?

I just remember it was steep, lots of switchbacks. If I looked down, I was looking right on top of the helmet of the person behind me. If I looked up, I was looking at the bottom of the bottom bracket shell of the bike ahead of me. Plus, they had rest-stops (checkpoints?) spaced every 5 miles on this road. I was in my 30x27, which I remember only because my Mercian is still geared that way.

On the other hand, I could be miss-remembering the name of the road!

Rick / OCRR

That is most likely Hwy 80-while it isn't too steep compared to many climbs, being later in the ride it is a good climb with the steeper part about 3 miles long. It has a number of switchbacks and is steeper than the Parkway.

The preliminary results are in and I'm 194th out of 834 finishers. I'm pretty happy with a top 200.

In 2004 I was around 318 out of about 800+.

So yes, 50+ers can improve.

Now, where is the limit of improvement?????

The preliminary results are in and I'm 194th out of 834 finishers. I'm pretty happy with a top 200.

In 2004 I was around 318 out of about 800+.

So yes, 50+ers can improve.

Now, where is the limit of improvement?????

I'm impressed.

You are likely in the top .0005% or so of American males in fitness (not just 50+ - all ages).

The preliminary results are in and I'm 194th out of 834 finishers. I'm pretty happy with a top 200.

In 2004 I was around 318 out of about 800+.

So yes, 50+ers can improve.

Now, where is the limit of improvement?????

:beer:

You're a great representative for the over 50 club. There are no limits on improvement.

The preliminary results are in and I'm 194th out of 834 finishers. I'm pretty happy with a top 200.

In 2004 I was around 318 out of about 800+.

So yes, 50+ers can improve.

Now, where is the limit of improvement?????

Awesome job! I am impressed and inspired.

To me, the most amazing stat is the 6:35 out of 6:38 in the saddle! Shezam.

Geat ride jppe, and a terrific time!

I have a buddy at work who moved to Colorado from N. Carolina, and he made a trip back just to do this ride!

To me, the most amazing stat is the 6:35 out of 6:38 in the saddle! Shezam.


Minimizing stopping is something my brother instilled in me over the years and I've just worked on it over time. If you're trying to "ride for a time" it's just another way to "cut corners". Except for fluids, generally you can carry enough of the other stuff you need from the start. If you have to stop, do so in the shortest time possible and avoid "resting" or taking a break. I probably push the limits on nutrition and fluids but have only had one ride where I my performance truly suffered from not eating correctly-and I've learned from that.

When you need a "break" from being on the bike, do "ergos" (move your arms, hands, neck, shoulders etc) while you're riding and change your riding position. Stand up for a while or change the way you pedal briefly to use different muscles. There are way to do stretches, including your legs, while still riding.

I'm a lot slower than a lot of riders but I've found that by avoiding stopping I can pick up a little time over a number of other riders. I've also found that many times it's harder to get back going when I do stop, so sometimes it's better for me to slow a bit to take a break.

From your other post about shorts, I'm thinking there may be no short that works perfectly for 6 1/2 hours.

Great job jppe! Sounds like you'll continue to improve! The climbing at the end must be killer. I did 62 miles and 6200 ft of climbing last Saturday, and I was quite tired.:o My ride was a series of 9 climbs, all 300 to 500 ft in elevation gain, with steepest gradient at about 16%. If I can keep up with my riding, maybe I'll try to get into the Assault next year. About every other year we go to NC on vacation (an excuse for me to ride my mtn bike at Tsali and eat barbeque ;) ). It's amazing how little food you really need on these rides. For my 62 mile ride, I had a Cliff bar and a Gu - that was it. I had about four bottles of 1/2 strength sports drink.

Keep up the great work, and maybe I'll see you next year.

PS - for the last couple of days, I'v been demo'ing a Scott CR1 SL - it is a rocket!! It would be a real climbing machine with a compact crank.

After reading a report from the only recumbent rider there, I was re-checking your stats, jppe. Pretty impressive stuff. The recumbent rider, who is bound to be a lot stronger than me, finished almost an hour behind you. All of my rides of over 80 miles have had less than 4000 feet of climbing; I'm not sure I could even get myself up a climb like that at this point; I need to keep training on these puny hills in my neck of the woods.

It's a great reminder of what is possible, very inspiring stuff. Thanks for sharing, jppe.

After reading a report from the only recumbent rider there, I was re-checking your stats, jppe. Pretty impressive stuff. The recumbent rider, who is bound to be a lot stronger than me, finished almost an hour behind you. All of my rides of over 80 miles have had less than 4000 feet of climbing; I'm not sure I could even get myself up a climb like that at this point; I need to keep training on these puny hills in my neck of the woods.

It's a great reminder of what is possible, very inspiring stuff. Thanks for sharing, jppe.

I passed the bent around the 10-15 mile mark I think. It was pretty early in the ride as I recall. I think I saw him on another ride-Issaqueena's Last Ride-about a month before.

Thanks for the kind words. I post these things just to help remind folks that anyone that sets some goals can do these types of rides. Six years ago I never dreamed I'd be able to do these types of rides. My brother encouraged me to give it a try and I did. I had the usual fears that many others probably have about even being able to finish. Sometimes those same old fears still manage to creep into the psyche. Just makes you "train" a little harder to make sure the fears are overcome. Thus the series of long rides the few weekends prior to Mitchell.

It does make you feel pretty good to see the efforts put into training pay off with continued improvement in performance. I can understand completely how that doesn't motivate some folks but it does help me- especially when I'm out riding in 20 degree temps with brisk winds. I know I'll be rewarded at some point.

What I've also come to learn and appreciate even more is that setbacks are to be expected. For some reason you still have bad days but they eventually lead to the good days. Monday just happened to be a terrific day which I've come to appreciate more and more and more.

This cycling stuff can become pretty addicting. But most of you know that already.

Great job jppe! Sounds like you'll continue to improve! The climbing at the end must be killer. I did 62 miles and 6200 ft of climbing last Saturday, and I was quite tired.:o My ride was a series of 9 climbs, all 300 to 500 ft in elevation gain, with steepest gradient at about 16%. If I can keep up with my riding, maybe I'll try to get into the Assault next year. About every other year we go to NC on vacation (an excuse for me to ride my mtn bike at Tsali and eat barbeque ;) ). It's amazing how little food you really need on these rides. For my 62 mile ride, I had a Cliff bar and a Gu - that was it. I had about four bottles of 1/2 strength sports drink.

Keep up the great work, and maybe I'll see you next year.

PS - for the last couple of days, I'v been demo'ing a Scott CR1 SL - it is a rocket!! It would be a real climbing machine with a compact crank.
Pssst! Buy it! That's what I drive, though not with a compact crank. My bike just screams to go faster! :D

Pssst! Buy it! That's what I drive, though not with a compact crank. My bike just screams to go faster! :D

I got it! Still has standard 53/39. It really is a rocket. On a group ride last night, a woman in the group was really interested - in my bike, or course.;) She's been looking at CR1's on the internet, but hasn't been able to ride one locally. I would have let her take a spin on mine, but we were incompatible :( - pedals, that is.:)

At the end of the ride, she thoroughly checked out my bike, re frame size, seat height, reach, etc. She said she may try to find a used one on Ebay, as most stores are already sold out for the year.

Enjoy your ride!

The preliminary results are in and I'm 194th out of 834 finishers. I'm pretty happy with a top 200.

In 2004 I was around 318 out of about 800+.

So yes, 50+ers can improve.

Now, where is the limit of improvement?????

I am not surprised, Joe. What a great accomplishment! And what, by the way, is your handicap????? I agree with DnvrFox's assessment of where you probably rank in overall fitness. I hope we get to ride together again soon.

And what, by the way, is your handicap????? I hope we get to ride together again soon.

Handicap is drifting up as cycling seems to dominating the time....but that is okay. I've had it down to a 4 but it's probably closer to a 6 or 7 right now. I just hope I can find some of the old magic when I play on Pinehurst #2 next week.

I really enjoyed our ride as well. It was the perfect ride for a post Mitchell recovery. Please let me know when you're down this way again. Love the pic of the granddaughter by the way.

Great riding!

What did you have for breakfast that day and what did you have the day before? I am amazed that 2 bananas, crackers and a gel got you through the ride at the pace you had. It certainly says something for your preparation and conditioning.

Handicap is drifting up as cycling seems to dominating the time....but that is okay. I've had it down to a 4 but it's probably closer to a 6 or 7 right now. I just hope I can find some of the old magic when I play on Pinehurst #2 next week.

I need a lot of magic. If you find it, let me know where it is. My buddies want me to play golf and I have focused so much on cycling that my swing is going to need a few sessions at the driving range to play in any competitive capacity.

Great riding!

What did you have for breakfast that day and what did you have the day before? I am amazed that 2 bananas, crackers and a gel got you through the ride at the pace you had. It certainly says something for your preparation and conditioning.

I certainly ate a little more the day before and had my normal extra helping of pancakes and eggs the morning of. I probably was a little thin in the nutrition during the ride and could have used one more banana late in the ride but I've found that I normally just don't need too much. Plus when I did start feeling like I needed a little more to eat I was just 5 miles from the finish and didn't want to cram food into my stomach before a good climb. Not sure why I can get by with less but maybe it's just due to training and riding that way-or maybe it's the love handle reserves kicking in!!!

I probably needed more fluids as well but didn't have cramping issues but probably didn't drink enough. As hard as I try I just don't do a good job of that.......I will say that I did extremely well early on in the ride eating and drinking and I suppose it really helped me later in the ride.

I need a lot of magic. If you find it, let me know where it is. My buddies want me to play golf and I have focused so much on cycling that my swing is going to need a few sessions at the driving range to play in any competitive capacity.

Like a lot of things technology can make a huge difference. I use top of the line clyubs and ran across a fellow who fits the pros. We evaluated all the shafts in my set and wound up changing out most of them. It is amazing the difference it makes in ball flight and direction. The problem was there was a huge variance in the flex of the shafts throughout the set.......even though they are marked the same.

Still have putting issues but at least it's nice to know that now I can hit a shot and halfway predict where it is going to go.

Like a lot of things technology can make a huge difference. I use top of the line clyubs and ran across a fellow who fits the pros. We evaluated all the shafts in my set and wound up changing out most of them. It is amazing the difference it makes in ball flight and direction. The problem was there was a huge variance in the flex of the shafts throughout the set.......even though they are marked the same.

Still have putting issues but at least it's nice to know that now I can hit a shot and halfway predict where it is going to go.

That is interesting about the shafts. I need a new set clubs. Distance and flight height are not a problem for me - 200 yard with my 4 iron, average 290 off the tee and hit the ball high. It is consistancy, accuracy and the short game where I need the work.

PM me more info on the clubs if you get the chance.