Fifty Plus (50+) - Riding for 200 mile Personal High

Just back from a 33.8 mile ride. Since I started week with a 51 mile ride and plan to end week with a 60 mile ride, I had the weird thought I might be able to put together a 200 mile week. What was I thinking!!! Didn't do my math very well. Figuring I had a few trail miles earlier in week, plus 33 miles today and maybe 15 tomorrow and I'd be over 200 with 60 on Saturday. But no, seems I fall short and will have to ride 33 plus miles tomorrow as well. So now it's a toss up. Can't imagine when I'll be this close again, so seems a shame not to go for it. Then again who cares?? Just me, and only for a couple hours. Just to put this in perspective, for month of July and August, I averaged 277 miles for entire month. Will wait and see what legs say tomorrow. The real fear is I'll next want to ride 500 miles for month, does it ever end?

If it was me and my legs felt up to it I would go for it. I love hitting new personal bests. 175 is my current week high.

I will probably go for it; although tomorrows route will be flatter then todays ride. And if I get grass cut today, I won't have an excuse. Which is a way of saying I have to get off this computer and do something.

Listen to your legs and knees... and have a good time whatever you decide to do.

Listen to your legs and knees... and have a good time whatever you decide to do.

Forget body- and the legs and the butt and the pain-GO FOR IT.

This is a target to tell your mates at work about on Monday. That is if they are not avoiding you because of the funny way you are walking.

Being this close- You should give it a try but listen to the body. Eat a few more carbs and take the "Extra" ride to bring up the milage at a slightly lower pace. Don't worry about a few muscle aches but any Knee pain or Sudden Twinges and call the back up to recover you.

Go for it! If the legs aren't a problem don't miss this chance.

Forget body- and the legs and the butt and the pain-GO FOR IT.

This is a target to tell your mates at work about on Monday. That is if they are not avoiding you because of the funny way you are walking.

Being this close- You should give it a try but listen to the body. Eat a few more carbs and take the "Extra" ride to bring up the milage at a slightly lower pace. Don't worry about a few muscle aches but any Knee pain or Sudden Twinges and call the back up to recover you.

+1, you'll be real happy when you do.

...The real fear is I'll next want to ride 500 miles for month, does it ever end?

Oh, my. I sure hope not.

The real fear is I'll next want to ride 500 miles for month, does it ever end?


You can do 500 miles easy in a month. I set a goal of min 150 miles a week but
was short of that for June with a total of 573. Did 458 for July. Last month was
horrific, I did only a total of 173 mainly due to 2 weeks of rain and an injury end
of July. September is looking good so far, have 123 miles on the bag and when I
ride again on Friday, I'll cover at least 150 total for the week and need to keep it
up to record 600 for the month of September. Go for it.

Ya know, when I did my 56/age today, I wasn't even thinking of it in those terms. It was what I needed to hit 200 miles for the week (another personal best). It was only when I read that other thread that it dawned on me I had ridden my age.

Do it, bro. The trouble is you can always go farther and faster. 200 this week means shooting for 250 later.

My goal from the outset has been to ride between 100 and 125 miles per week. This has been hampered by several factors, the most annoying is this rotating shift work I do. The two weeks I work the Mid shift, I can barely manage 60 miles a week, unless I get some really good breaks in the weather. Ahhhhh well, better to ride 60 miles a week than none at all.

Well I rode 34 miles this morning. Legs getting tired; but butt bothered me the most. Thank goodness tomorrow I rest. To finish the week I ride the 60 mile option at the Amish Country Tour out of Dover, DE. Very flat, so sounds easy, but its pretty much a constant pedaling. No hills to climb but no hills to coast down either. It does look like there will be a weather challenge. Current forecast is 86F and 76% humidity. I'm not fond of humidity and will hope to start early. Will probably be dumping more water on me then drinking. Anyway at 141 miles for week, that is already my highest week. Wife is complaining I'm not around. So this is not a pace I could keep up for long.

Well I rode 34 miles this morning. Legs getting tired; but butt bothered me the most. Thank goodness tomorrow I rest. To finish the week I ride the 60 mile option at the Amish Country Tour out of Dover, DE. Very flat, so sounds easy, but its pretty much a constant pedaling. No hills to climb but no hills to coast down either. It does look like there will be a weather challenge. Current forecast is 86F and 76% humidity. I'm not fond of humidity and will hope to start early. Will probably be dumping more water on me then drinking. Anyway at 141 miles for week, that is already my highest week. Wife is complaining I'm not around. So this is not a pace I could keep up for long.

Usually the only thing you need to worry about on those flat rides is headwinds. Hope you have tailwinds all the way:)

Your getting close now.

Doing 500/mo is a pretty reasonable goal, the way I have done that is:

Sun 65
Mon rest
Tues 20
Wed 20
Thurs 20
Fri 20
Sat Yard Work

Get 500 easy and even have some slack for rain days. My best month has been 590 miles

Well of course after the 200 mile week I'd shoot for 500 mile month; however my normal schedule would produce just 11 cycling days in Sept after this Sunday. I'd have to average 27.2 miles per day, which is 7 miles above my norm. This exercise is certainly pointing out to me just how difficult racking up some major miles can be for a normal 80mile/week rider. A 20 mile ride every other day isn't gonna do it. I also have the problem of too slow an average speed just 12 to 13 mph. I believe my legs could do a full 100 mile century; but it looks like a 10 to 11 hour day for me to actually ride 100 miles. Not something I want to do at this time. Anyway, after Saturday I'm scheduled to ride the beach/board walk with wife and sister. Expecting no more then 10 miles with those two. To have a chance at 500 month I'll have to probably ride three 30 mile rides before midnight, Sept 16th.

You should be aiming for a 200 mile day! Double Centuries are all kinds of fun (and often adventure!). We have 18 or 19 each year here in CA; not sure how many organized doubles you have in PA.

Rick / OCRR

You have to have some sort of perverted sense of pain to do a double century. I know many people relish challenges like this and more such as full Ironman competitions. My hat is off to them but I think that is just too much body abuse. I had a close friend who when younger was doing triathlons almost weekly, he was constantly having problems with stress fractures, muscle pulls etc. He is now over 50 and suffers from arthritis in both knees.

You have to have some sort of perverted sense of pain to do a double century.
Agreed.

Reminds me of this:
http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/default.cfm

For 2007, the 11th place finisher did 12,658 miles in 11 days.
In 2005, the 1st place finisher did 13,277 miles in 11 days.

Sometimes, there's just too much of a good thing. (wasn't there a country music song about this?... too much money and too much fun...)

You have to have some sort of perverted sense of pain to do a double century.

Hi stonecrd,

Actually, if you train correctly for a double century there's no pain involved. Of course you have to stay hydrated and nourished, pay attention to the route slip and ride smart overall, but no pain unless something goes horribly wrong; which, thankfully, it usually doesn't.

Not sure what doubles you have in FL, but you can check out the CA site at:

http://www.caltriplecrown.com/

Hope to see you on a double century sometime! :)

Rick / OCRR

I may have 230 from last Saturday including tomorrow. I am at 173 right now, with 60+ planned for tomorrow

Hi stonecrd,

Actually, if you train correctly for a double century there's no pain involved. Of course you have to stay hydrated and nourished, pay attention to the route slip and ride smart overall, but no pain unless something goes horribly wrong; which, thankfully, it usually doesn't.

Not sure what doubles you have in FL, but you can check out the CA site at:

http://www.caltriplecrown.com/

Hope to see you on a double century sometime! :)

Rick / OCRR

I enjoy riding, I really do. But 3-4hrs is it for me even if there were frequent breaks with Pizza and Beer. I just don't enjoy doing anything for 8 hrs straight including my job:)

A Double Century at my current level of fitness would probably be a 24 hour event. Would have to arrange for breaks every 4 hours with 30 minutes in a hot tub. Wonder how many batteries I'd go through for lights?

Hi stonecrd,

Actually, if you train correctly for a double century there's no pain involved. Of course you have to stay hydrated and nourished, pay attention to the route slip and ride smart overall, but no pain unless something goes horribly wrong; which, thankfully, it usually doesn't.

Not sure what doubles you have in FL, but you can check out the CA site at:

http://www.caltriplecrown.com/

Hope to see you on a double century sometime! :)

Rick / OCRR

If you had said that with good preparation a double century is very possible and can be quite enjoyable, I would go along with that (in theory at least, I have not ridden more than 110 in a day), but to say there would be no pain involved? Get real! I would not expect extreme pain or unbearable pain, but I would sure expect some pain.

A Double Century at my current level of fitness would probably be a 24 hour event. Would have to arrange for breaks every 4 hours with 30 minutes in a hot tub. Wonder how many batteries I'd go through for lights?

Okay Guybierhaus,

Then a double with a 24 hour time limit would be a good place to start. I recommend the Grand Tour which is organized by the Los Angeles Wheelmen on the longest (daylight) weekend day of the year. It starts from Malibu and goes to Ojai via Moorpark.

They also have a "Lowland" route if you don't like to climb! :)

Click here for details: http://www.lawheelmen.org/gtoverview07.htm

No, the checkpoints don't have hot-tubs, but you could recover in a hot-tub at your motel after you finished the ride!

Regarding batteries, you could have spares sent to the final checkpoint (Port Heueneme) and you should be good!

Rick / OCRR

If you had said that with good preparation a double century is very possible and can be quite enjoyable, I would go along with that (in theory at least, I have not ridden more than 110 in a day), but to say there would be no pain involved? Get real! I would not expect extreme pain or unbearable pain, but I would sure expect some pain.

Well Bluesdawg,

If you put it that way, I guess there are lots of different levels of pain. But what I meant was, "Nothing that would make you want to slow down, stop or quit." Lance Armstrong once said something about the 2 kinds of pain, i.e. the kind you can control (like how hard you push on a climb), and the kind you can't (like an injury).

So yes, on some parts there may be the type you can control, but with "good preparation" (as you say), there probably won't be any pain you can't control. And you're right, doubles can be quite enjoyable! :)

Rick / OCRR

OK, I'll admit to being a mileage junkie. Did the RAIN (160mi) this year again after 15yr absence, done numerous 100mi.+ rides both organized and independently, would like to do at least one double next year, with the hope of doing a PAC tour or training up for PBP in 2011 (next time it's held). That or following jppe in doing the climbing challenges. Guess I'm not happy unless I have goals.

I did a 260+ mile week last month, but it was almost inadvertent. It turned out that I did a century on Sunday, a couple of 30 milers during the week, and then another century on Saturday. If I had the timer and the daylight, I could keep this up without too much of a problem, but alas - they are both in short supply.

Well Bluesdawg,

If you put it that way, I guess there are lots of different levels of pain. But what I meant was, "Nothing that would make you want to slow down, stop or quit." Lance Armstrong once said something about the 2 kinds of pain, i.e. the kind you can control (like how hard you push on a climb), and the kind you can't (like an injury).

So yes, on some parts there may be the type you can control, but with "good preparation" (as you say), there probably won't be any pain you can't control. And you're right, doubles can be quite enjoyable! :)

Rick / OCRR

Yeah, I like that better. I have always subscribed somewhat to the "no pain, no gain" school of thought and much of my sense of accomplishment comes from having been able to endure some degree of discomfort and pain (the fist type, not injury). Now, I am not a masochist. I don't go looking for ways to make the things I do hurt more. To the contrary, I look to make it hurt less so I can do more. But I have always felt that the things most worth doing are not the comfortable and easy things, but the things that require sacrifice and endurance.

Well I managed to ride the Metric Century on Saturday at the Amish County Tour, out of Dover,
DE. My second 62 mile ride this year, my first was back in May, being my birthday ride. Can’t
say I’m ready to ride another long ride any time soon. Actual pedaling time was 4 hours, 25
minutes, certainly set no speed records. Two organized breaks and three personal breaks for
another 27 minutes. So I wrap up my personal best week at 204.3 miles and took 16 hours and
20 minutes total ride time to do it. Will now try for a 500 mile month, but my legs are already telling me
that isn’t gonna happen.

Last Sunday and this Saturday’s ride had their first stop at 25 miles. I stop and dismount to drink
water and actually tried to ride without drinking till the first stop at 25 miles. That was not a
good plan. At mile 20 my body was telling me I was not going to make 60 miles today. I finally
pulled over at the second occurrence of a biker down, about mile 22. I think this biker had, or was
having a heart attack. He was being taken away in a helicopter as I stopped. Some water and a
breakfast bar and I was feeling new again. 3 miles later was the first organized break, more
water and a banana. Took a break every hour for rest of ride, had no further problems other then
my butt was asking for a bullet to put it out of it’s misery about mile 45.

This is the Amish School House Pie Break.
http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~bierhaus/ACT%20Pie%20Break.jpg

This is the Pie table. Settled for just cherry and blue berry.
http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~bierhaus/ACT%20Pie%20Table.jpg

To the contrary, I look to make it hurt less so I can do more. But I have always felt that the things most worth doing are not the comfortable and easy things, but the things that require sacrifice and endurance.

Yes BluesDawg,

You've got the right mental mindset for a double century already! :) Now just get in your training miles and sign up! My next double is the Fall Solvang Double (by Planet Ultra) on Oct. 20th. Only 10,500 feet of climbing, so it should be lots of fun!

The "endurance" attitude is very important, as is being somewhat "goal oriented" about it. Also, if you can ride a century and still feel like you could do more . . . you're probably ready for your first (or next) double.

Rick / OCRR

Congratulations gubierhouse, I bet if you take a rest day you will find your legs will start out a bit tight and sore then you will loosen up. Plenty of time to get to 500.

[B][I][COLOR="Green"]This is the Pie table. Settled for just cherry and blue berry.
http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~bierhaus/ACT%20Pie%20Table.jpg

Congrats on the great ride. I'm surprised the Amish lady was comfortable with this pic.

Now, for Amish pie------it's got to be the best in the world!!

[b][i][color="Green"]Well I managed to ride the Metric Century on Saturday at the Amish County Tour, out of Dover,
DE.

Great to hear you had a good time on your metric century! And yes, hydration and nourishment are quite necessary and you learned a valuable lesson that will serve you well in the future! Looks like they had plenty of "real" food (as opposed to the powdered kind) to keep you well fueled.

Plus, it looks like even the checkpoint workers had authentic Amish costumes! Well, one of them did anyway.

Rick / OCRR

You know I didn't think to ask if I could take her picture, I was really after the pie table. There were three gals with the bonnets and long skirts. I didn't stare at them to figure if they were real Amish or Mennonite. May have been a costume; although the school is real and used by the Amish community. I'm not so sure they were real home made Amish pies. They had two large commercial bakery pie savers and all pies were in the typical commercial aluminum pie pan. The cherry especially appeared and tasted like manufactured pie filling. The blue berry on the other hand I'm not so sure about, had plenty of whole small wild berries.

I suppose the actual route is not the best for those looking for a hill challenge. There are none. Which is great for me. Food and break wise this event is the best. Meal at end is furnished by Dover, DE's top caterer, Where Pigs Fly. Have no idea how Lancaster Covered Bridge was voted best in east by Bicycling magazine over this event. I assume the magazine writer just didn't attend this event. They had over 1200 riders, ran out of route maps, so word is spreading.

Well seems appropriate to wrap up this thread with a final note: I did achieve 514 miles for the month. Suspect this Best Mileage Month will remain as the Best for me for quite some time. My greatest help was probably the weather. Temps have been cooler and I can't remember when it last rained. Fall winds will be arriving soon so probably back to "Normal" mileage months till next spring. Although I just realized I only need 750 miles in 3 months to achieve 3000 for the year.

Well seems appropriate to wrap up this thread with a final note: I did achieve 514 miles for the month. Suspect this Best Mileage Month will remain as the Best for me for quite some time. My greatest help was probably the weather. Temps have been cooler and I can't remember when it last rained. Fall winds will be arriving soon so probably back to "Normal" mileage months till next spring. Although I just realized I only need 750 miles in 3 months to achieve 3000 for the year.

Go for the 3000:)

I stop and dismount to drink water and actually tried to ride without drinking till the first stop at 25 miles.

That was not a good plan.

Have you considered a hydration pack? A lot of people seem to like them.

I know if I tried to go that far w/o drinking I'd keel over, even on a cool day

Have you considered a hydration pack? A lot of people seem to like them.

I know if I tried to go that far w/o drinking I'd keel over, even on a cool day

No. Don't believe I need one for a supported ride. What I needed was to actually stop and drink. Sometimes get too stubborn to actually stop. Believe I'm over that. Discovered how much better I feel after a drink, so have been stopping every 9 to 10 miles regardless. May add a second bottle holder. And do have two large 24 oz. bottles, actually provided by the Amish Country Tour.