First long(4 me) ride.

[natebrr]

Well I just got in from my first long ride. Well long for me. I made ten miles, and learned a few things. First thing, unclip the down wind foot when stopping. Second thing, I need bigger water bottles.
I feel preaty good now. My starting goal for the year is 10 miles 5 days a week. So I am off to a good start atleast.

Nate

[conurejade]

Good job! Keep up the good work.

[bigwies]

Nice job. Pretty soon 10 miles will feel like a short ride.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

I remember my first "big" ride....it was a 7 miler and it felt like I just won the TdF! You're off to a good start and I'd almost bet real money you do your first Imperial Century before the end of the Summer. :)

[natebrr]

I am looking for a century close to home, and that gives me time to get ready for it. Thanks Guy's for the motivation.

Nate

[rideorglide]

I am looking for a century close to home, and that gives me time to get ready for it. Thanks Guy's for the motivation.

Nate


You go Nate, as long as you are enjoying, it doesn't matter how long the ride is. Even when you become capable of far longer rides, it's sometimes good to get a half hour ride here or there, when things get too busy for longer outings.

[Wino Ryder]

Way to go Nate.

:D

[DieselDan]

Try www.active.com to find a century ride near you. My advice, try a shorter ride, maybe a 50 miler, before tackling a full century.

[b_young]

Great job!!
Keep it up!
Feels great doesn't it.

[The Historian]

Well I just got in from my first long ride. Well long for me. I made ten miles, and learned a few things. First thing, unclip the down wind foot when stopping. Second thing, I need bigger water bottles.
I feel pretty good now. My starting goal for the year is 10 miles 5 days a week. So I am off to a good start at least.

Nate

Hi Nate,

I'm surprised you went clipless from the start. Had you been a cyclist in a pre-Clyde life?

While ten miles five times a week is an admirable goal, don't be frustrated if you don't make it at first. Cycling muscles need recovery too, just like lifting muscles. Especially if they haven't been used in a while, as I've found out in the past week.

Tom has suggested setting an ambitious goal, and aiming for it. While it doesn't have to be a century (100 mile ride), that's a fine target, and one most people can achieve. Even a person who only learned to ride a bike in his 40's can complete a century - ask me how I know this. :-)

Best of skill to you,
Neil B.

[natebrr]

I went clipless for two reasons: hated the toe straps, and I knew I was eventually going clipless so why not start now.
I was thinking maby a 50 mile ride would be a good starting point. I had found one in northern Alabama, but I can't find the link to the site. I think it was some kind of bike festival with races and a supported ride with different length rides. I will find it or another ride.
I may need to change my goal, but I will just see how it goes. They are forcasting record lows day after tomorrow, and super cold tomorrow so who knows.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Is this it?

http://www.mgmbikeclub.org/autumnchallenge.php

By the way, I wasn't suggesting aiming for a Century initially, I was just saying that I wouldn't be surprised if you did it.....I remember how fast capabilities build. :D I also agree to aim for it, though in this way....

Benchmarks:

25 miles
50 MIles
62 Miles (Metric Century)
100 Miles (Imperial)


:D

[Spartan112]

Work your way up...do a couple of 20's then 30's etc. after a short while 10 will seem like nothing. I got started late last year so I didn't get in a century but I know I'll be ready this year.

[solveg]

Benchmarks:

25 miles
50 MIles
62 Miles (Metric Century)
100 Miles (Imperial)


:D

12 miles is a big milestone for a lot of people. I know for me, my "big" numbers were 12,18, and 40.

And don't forget the first 100 mile week!

[Tom Stormcrowe]

12 miles is a big milestone for a lot of people. I know for me, my "big" numbers were 12,18, and 40.

And don't forget the first 100 mile week!

Yep, you're right! I just suggested some general goals and he can customize the list however he desires.....there is no wrong way here, except NOT ride the bike ;)

[The Historian]

Is this it?

http://www.mgmbikeclub.org/autumnchallenge.php

By the way, I wasn't suggesting aiming for a Century initially, I was just saying that I wouldn't be surprised if you did it.....I remember how fast capabilities build. :D I also agree to aim for it, though in this way....

Benchmarks:

25 miles
50 MIles
62 Miles (Metric Century)
100 Miles (Imperial)


:D

Agreed. Sorry to put words in your mouth. Incidentally, when I signed up for the MS City to Shore in January 2007, I thought I might be strong enough to squeeze out 25 miles by September. I never thought I could ride four times as long.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

No worries, Neil! ;) You are in a similar position to me to judge how badly we tend to underestimate out abilities. ;)Agreed. Sorry to put words in your mouth. Incidentally, when I signed up for the MS City to Shore in January 2007, I thought I might be strong enough to squeeze out 25 miles by September. I never thought I could ride four times as long.

[natebrr]

Is this it?

http://www.mgmbikeclub.org/autumnchallenge.php



:D


No but thanks for that one hadn't come across it yet. Just found the one I was looking at plus a rideyellow event that is about twenty min away. Here is a link http://www.cheahachallenge.com/ to the first one; I would like to do the 20 or 40 mile route for this. We'll just have to see

[aboyd]

I remember my first long ride, 5 miles....now less than 15 feels like I really never got warmed up...

When I tell my "non-riding" friends I rode 50 miles on a Saturday morning, they think I am nuts....

[webist]

My first ride after a 30-year layoff was 3.5 miles and took about 45 minutes. My lungs were inside out and hanging down to my knees. I was sucking wind so hard I never realized that my legs were parylized. I remember trying to imagine how I was going to carry 4 gallons of water on the next ride and wondered if the crotch paralysis was permanent.

Same ride today - 11 minutes and still 20 minutes away from the first sips from the bidon.

[JohnKScott]

I remember my first "big" ride....it was a 7 miler and it felt like I just won the TdF! You're off to a good start and I'd almost bet real money you do your first Imperial Century before the end of the Summer. :)

Yup...

My first ride last April. 15 miles. Legs hurt like crazy from two hill climbs (had to walk up one of them). Did my first century on 9/1 and now those two hills are nothing. Just keep at it.

P.S. Lot's of people get "results" quicker than mine too.

[crash and burn]

My brother-in-law (who got me started) rode for 6 months and was able to ride the Hot 100 in about 5 1/2 hours. He has lost prob 40-45 lbs in the process. If I remember correctly he said he could barely ride 5 when he started. 21 miles is my longest to date. 10 miles and 21 miles didnt seem much different. I was already out of breath and my rear and shoulders were hurting. Just keep on pushing. I plan on riding in a few 50 mile rides and then trying to move up a little. I will be ready for the Hot 100 this year. Good luck and keep it up!

[George]

My first ride was 6 miles and I couldn't wait to tell everybody. A year later I rode my age, 67 miles. Congratulations on your first great ride and you'll be surprised at how that number will go up, good luck.

[natebrr]

Thanks everyone. The weather is looking up, back on the bike tomorrow.

[tpelle]

Congratulations!

When I started riding this past April I couldn't do the 4-mile loop around my neighborhood without having to stop and rest. I kept at it, and on New Year's Eve Day I rode 30 miles - a new personal record!

[KingTermite]

Well I just got in from my first long ride. Well long for me. I made ten miles, and learned a few things. First thing, unclip the down wind foot when stopping. Second thing, I need bigger water bottles.
I feel preaty good now. My starting goal for the year is 10 miles 5 days a week. So I am off to a good start atleast.

Nate

Excellent! Just keep it up. :)