Fifty Plus (50+) - Made The Mileage Goal!

2,000 miles for this year was the goal rattling around in the cranium.

I began the day at 1,998 miles and ended the day at 2,080 miles. The ride was Scenic U.S. 71 south from Fayetteville, AR to about 2 miles south of Mountainburg, AR. A loop through an industrial park in Fayetteville after the run on U.S. 71 gave me the miles to get to 82. The area south of Mountainburg was a new climb. Today's climbing was 4,434 feet, which is a new record for me as is the ride of 82 miles, which is my longest solo effort. Currently, I'm feeling each of those miles and every foot of elevation at various and sundry locations around my old-fart body. If my scales are to be believed, I lost 4 pounds on this ride.

:)
Congratulations

Congratulations! I started the year thinking 1000 would be great. I'm now at 1400 and wondering if 2000 is possible. Gotta keep those 100 mile weeks happening since I know that a 100 mile day wont this year, maybe next.

Well done!
:beer::beer::beer:

I lost 4 pounds on this ride.

Congratulations on surpassing your yearly goal. It always feels good to do that. The 4 lb. weight loss caught my attention. This is mostly a loss of body fluid I imagine. A weight loss greater than 2% of body weight during a ride can significantly decrease one's performance. This might indicate you should take in more fluids during your ride. I usually weight myself before leaving on a ride and immediately upon returning. This helps me determine how well I've managed my hydration needs during the day.

Good show doc. :beer:

Are you upping your goal for next year?

2,000 miles for this year was the goal rattling around in the cranium.

I began the day at 1,998 miles and ended the day at 2,080 miles. .

:beer:

There are a few months left in the year to add to your goal:)

The 4 lb. weight loss caught my attention. This is mostly a loss of body fluid I imagine. A weight loss greater than 2% of body weight during a ride can significantly decrease one's performance.

On the major ascent on the trip home, I wasn't establishing any new land speed records. As I neared the top of the mountain, I noticed buzzards dutifully circling above me in anticipation of my eminent demise.:eek: The temperature was cool when I started in the morning, and I didn't drink as much as usual on the way out. I believe your assessment is accurate as my average for the entire trip was dismal. I did begin to increase fluid intake for the last third of the ride, and that seemed to help some. Also, the pollen count is up, and I think that had something to do with breathing and energy level.

Also, the pollen count is up, and I think that had something to do with breathing and energy level.

The pollen count is high around here and it definitely had an impact on my ride this morning:( Even with the allergy medicine I was huffing and puffing up some of the hills that normally don't bother me.

You da man. 3k next year.

Congrats!!

Congratulations for the 82 mile ride. I am actually quite surprised your total for the year is not much higher, considering the ride you made today. I have not had the opportunity to ride the road you took, but I have driven it often. Some of the climbs are very difficult. You must work out at something other than the bicycle for conditioning. Believe me, 82 miles on that road is a great ride.

Congratulations. 2000 miles and still 3+ months to go. I wonder how many of us could have achieved something like this when we were under 50, fat and out of shape. (speaking for myself of course :D)

:)
Congratulations

+1

Way to go doc, one thing about climbing hills you always have a chance to rest on the way down. It sounds like your having a good year Congratulations.

Congratulations. That was quite a ride.

On the major ascent on the trip home, I wasn't establishing any new land speed records. As I neared the top of the mountain, I noticed buzzards dutifully circling above me in anticipation of my eminent demise.:eek: The temperature was cool when I started in the morning, and I didn't drink as much as usual on the way out. I believe your assessment is accurate as my average for the entire trip was dismal. I did begin to increase fluid intake for the last third of the ride, and that seemed to help some. Also, the pollen count is up, and I think that had something to do with breathing and energy level.

On the days when I mismanage my hydration and/or nutrition intake the buzzards usually just sit on my shoulders. It puts them first in line for a fresh meal.

My normal goal is to drink about 1 qt of sport drink (I formulate my own) and eat 300 carb calories per hour of riding. If the temps are high, I plan on pushing the speed, I'm carrying a lot of weight (when touring) or I'm doing a lot of hill climbing I'll up these value by about 25-40%. I also make sure I'm getting enough electrolytes since running low on sodium (and other electrolytes to a lesser degree) can drop my performance dramatically.

The 4lb weight difference pre/post ride equates to about 2 qts of water loss. Obviously, scales and other factors make the 4lb difference just an approximation, but, it might be interesting to add a qt or two to your next long ride and see how the difference changes. Experimentation can be fun and improve one's knowledge of how their body works which leads to better performance ... and more fun on the ride.