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09-03-07, 06:20 PM
I sure hope this thread sticks in the 50+ forum!!!!!
Following someone's advice about doing long rides to get ready for Grandfather, I did a metric century Thursday when I broke my chain followed up by a 102+ mile ride today called the Tour de Moore. The TdM is in the eastern part of NC in Southern Pines/Pinehurst which is a lot more rolling that you would think. In fact the route had just under 5000 ft of climbing-with some of the longer hills in the back end of the ride. It is still a pretty good century for anyone wanting to do one for the first time. At least it doesn't have any killer 15%-20% hills.......
It was a fun ride as I was able to stay with the lead group until about 70 miles and then my old and unfit legs just couldn't spin enough to keep up on a couple of the hills. I got dropped 3 times from 55 to 70 miles ......... only to fight to get back on twice. The last time I really tried but I could tell unless I just ruined my legs for the rest of the ride I was solo.
I met up with a really nice fellow soon after and he and I tag teamed the rest of the way which really helped pass the time. Here are some of the times:
At 50 miles-2hrs 8 mins
At 67 miles-2hr 51 mins
At 102.5 miles-4hr 56 mins
So I was able to get in under 5 hrs which I was VERY pleased with given I had not ridden much in late June, July and August. I used the 50/34 compact crank and stayed in the 50 for all but one hill of the first 70 miles. I had planned to use the Madone with the 53/39 but didn't want to take it out on the century without a test ride after I just put on the new chain.
Weather was really nice until around noon. It actually felt a little like fall at the start.
Not sure if I have much for this Wednesday's Time Trial and might just go out and do some light spinning around the track!!
I hope some others got in some rides today as well.
Following someone's advice about doing long rides to get ready for Grandfather, I did a metric century Thursday when I broke my chain followed up by a 102+ mile ride today called the Tour de Moore. The TdM is in the eastern part of NC in Southern Pines/Pinehurst which is a lot more rolling that you would think. In fact the route had just under 5000 ft of climbing-with some of the longer hills in the back end of the ride. It is still a pretty good century for anyone wanting to do one for the first time. At least it doesn't have any killer 15%-20% hills.......
It was a fun ride as I was able to stay with the lead group until about 70 miles and then my old and unfit legs just couldn't spin enough to keep up on a couple of the hills. I got dropped 3 times from 55 to 70 miles ......... only to fight to get back on twice. The last time I really tried but I could tell unless I just ruined my legs for the rest of the ride I was solo.
I met up with a really nice fellow soon after and he and I tag teamed the rest of the way which really helped pass the time. Here are some of the times:
At 50 miles-2hrs 8 mins
At 67 miles-2hr 51 mins
At 102.5 miles-4hr 56 mins
So I was able to get in under 5 hrs which I was VERY pleased with given I had not ridden much in late June, July and August. I used the 50/34 compact crank and stayed in the 50 for all but one hill of the first 70 miles. I had planned to use the Madone with the 53/39 but didn't want to take it out on the century without a test ride after I just put on the new chain.
Weather was really nice until around noon. It actually felt a little like fall at the start.
Not sure if I have much for this Wednesday's Time Trial and might just go out and do some light spinning around the track!!
I hope some others got in some rides today as well.