Fifty Plus (50+) - Longest ride on the new bike

Today it supposes to be in the 40's so I left the house at 9:30 for another ride on the Specialized Roubaix. The weather has been bad all week so I wasn't able to do any riding so this was the second biggest ride since the 30 miles last weekend.

Started out on the same route as last weekend but decided to do more of a loop that has some serious climbs on it. Pretty bad when you are in your first gear & only doing 5 MPH for over a mile & your legs just don't stop burning, but the downhill was well worth it.:) I do need to invest in some sunglasses instead of my glasses because my eyes water to much & I can't see clearly downhill.

I was a little cool when I started but I figured I would warm up which I did, but with the elevation it got cold, then I got hot, then cold. :eek: Horsetooth lake is still frozen & I was going to take a picture but I was following another biker that had passed me & I didn't want to lose the draft. ;)

I need to work on my eating, & my leg cramped up a little so I ate a Clif shot & that helped. Then once I got out of the foothills & headed home I hit the wind. I hate wind specially when I couldn't go a lot faster then I did when I was in the hills. :mad:

Ended up going 35.41 miles, averaged 14.6 miles which I was happy with & it took me 2.24 hours. The disappointing part is I need to do that 3 times to add up to the century I have planned. That is some serious mileage having to do that two more times. :eek:
I now have 151 miles on the new bike.

I also got some used Look pedals from a guy that races & rides a lot & he is going to fit me later today with them. So today I rode with just my old pedals but at every stop I pretended I was clipped in & would act like I had to clip out before I got to the stop. :D Figured might as well start thinking about it, at least if I forgot I wouldn't fall over.

For that cold weather as you get higher---I have a pertex top. Very thin material that has no warmth in it but is completely windproof. It has a full length zip and I normally find that on a climb- I get warm. Just unzip and get more air in. Then before the descent- Zip up again. Keeps the wind out and keeps you warm on the 45mph descent.

Sunglasses- Go for a cycling specific type that can take different lens's. Dark for sun- Yellow for overcast and clear for night riding. I have the Rudy projects. not cheap but but worth the expense for me. Other riders I know use a far cheaper unit that already includes the different lens- and they have no problems with them.

Now for a 2 1/2hour ride I want to do non-stop- I would eat before the ride. Oatmeal- or anything high in carbs. But still take something to eat on the ride. I also keep a gel in the wedge for emergencies. but the effect of these takes about 20 minutes before it comes in.

34 miles on a first- or second ride is not bad. Just aim for a 40 next week and eat better beforehand. Following week go for a 50 and then a few weeks later go for a 60. If you can do 60- then 100 mile will be possible. Just eat better and drink more- and don't be unhappy at a lower average if you are doing hills.

Good ride with good lessons learned.

Tonight we got the LOOK pedals installed & the cleats on my shoes, then we got me fitted on the bike. I just played on the trainer for a while but I think I'm getting the hang of un-clipping. My left foot doesn't want to come out as easy as my right foot but tomorrow is practice day.

My plans are to go to the school that isn't to far away & practice in the parking lot. I want to make sure I can do it consistently before going on a ride. Don't really want to fall :eek:but that sounds like something that is pretty common.

Don't really want to fall :eek:but that sounds like something that is pretty common.

Only when you stop. Just keep going. ;)

I'm enjoying reading your progress and reports on your new bike. It would be a good idea to work on your eating before the century, to learn what works for you before, during, and after a ride.

Don't worry about falling-It will happen sometime or other. You not be the first and definitely won't be the last. Just remember that when you do it in front of the neighbours or friends- All you are doing is "Checking out the gravity" and "Yes-It still works"

I'm enjoying reading your progress and reports on your new bike. It would be a good idea to work on your eating before the century, to learn what works for you before, during, and after a ride.
After yesterday's ride even though it wasn't that long I do need to find what works for me. I have a couple of months so I'll get it figured out, I have some good help. Part of my problem was I thought when you ate you needed to eat a complete powerbar or all of whatever you had, but our friend last night was saying they only eat like half a bar at a time (every half hour) you don't have to eat all of it once. You just want to keep something in you all the time.

It will take practice just like everything else has. Didn't know riding bike was so high tech. ;)
I guess it can be as simple as you want or as complicated as you want, just how serious you want to get.

The friend that has been helping us just got a new carbon frame that is over $3,000.00 :eek: (his new race bike) so you can sink a lot of money into it if you want. For me I'm really happy with my little Roubaix at this time & everything seems to be doing what I want to do at this time. ;)

Just got back from riding 4 miles of just un-clipping stop, start pedal clip in. First started on a small down hill, then worked my way back up the hill.

While I'm thinking about it I have this mastered. Now under emergency type situation will I remember? The more I ride the easier it will become as well.

After that I took a short ride & I can already feel new muscles or the muscles I have are being used differently so it will take a while to get back up to speed going long miles. I can see I'll get tired a lot easier not being able to move around as much until I'm used to it.

On the positive I do like the extra power I'm getting being able to pull up at the same time, plus I don't have to worry about my foot falling off the pedal.

Time will only tell.

Just got back from riding 4 miles of just un-clipping stop, start pedal clip in. First started on a small down hill, then worked my way back up the hill.

While I'm thinking about it I have this mastered. Now under emergency type situation will I remember? The more I ride the easier it will become as well.

After that I took a short ride & I can already feel new muscles or the muscles I have are being used differently so it will take a while to get back up to speed going long miles. I can see I'll get tired a lot easier not being able to move around as much until I'm used to it.

On the positive I do like the extra power I'm getting being able to pull up at the same time, plus I don't have to worry about my foot falling off the pedal.

Time will only tell.


Unclipping with become second nature after you've been using them awhile:)

Your leg muscles should become accustomed to the new position quickly. I don't notice any leg fatigue due to the pedals after longer rides. Like you I appreciate the extra power they provide.

I need to work on my eating, & my leg cramped up a little so I ate a Clif shot & that helped.

cramping usually is a sign you need mor potassium, eat a banana before the ride or even the night before. It works.

Ended up going 35.41 miles, averaged 14.6 miles which I was happy with & it took me 2.24 hours.

That's a really good average. Sounds to me like you're off to a great start w/ the new bike.

You're doing great! You'll be ready for your first century in no time at all. The key is to work up to the mileage, both your weekly total and individual rides. Are you able to commute to work on your bike? That was key to building mileage for me. I also strongly recommend that you work with a riding partner for the longer rides. A partner will challenge you to go further and faster, yet the rides will seem to go by more quickly when you're sharing the ride. Keep it up and post back when you suceed.

For the longer rides, make sure you take rest stops. Organized century rides are the same. At those stops take in more nutrition. Carry a backpack stuffed with some pre-cut fruit in bags, fig newton bars. If possible, plan your rest stops at places that have water and rest rooms. There's no need to carry alot of nutrition on the organized century because it will be made available.

If you're new at riding with the pedals, then one improvement is pedal efficiency. Spread the use of the muscles by working on the upstroke. Try this: on flat terrain go on the big chain ring and accentuate the upstroke. You will begin to feel the different muscle groups in use, the hamstring group along with the glutes. On your rides keep the upstroke in mind until it becomes a natural movement. When you start a long uphill climb, not necessarily a steep incline, use the upstroke and it will save your quads.

You're doing great! You'll be ready for your first century in no time at all.
I already have a century planned for June 1st which is just around the corner. Still trying to get miles on the bike as we try & dial it in better.
The key is to work up to the mileage, both your weekly total and individual rides. Are you able to commute to work on your bike?
I carpool with the wife then ride 7 (one way) miles to my work. Right now the weather is hit & miss so I ride as often as I can.
Today it was in the 50's so I rode the 25 miles home. Took me an hour & twenty seven minutes to do the 25 miles. I'm starting to think I don't like the cooler weather, body doesn't want to work as well.

That was key to building mileage for me. I also strongly recommend that you work with a riding partner for the longer rides. A partner will challenge you to go further and faster, yet the rides will seem to go by more quickly when you're sharing the ride. Keep it up and post back when you suceed.
I try & ride with my buddy on the weekend which we have done the last two, but he always makes me be in front. :rolleyes: I think he figured out that following a "big" guy is a lot easier then being in front. ;):D

I've been riding a little longer then he has, plus I've been going to the gym so I think he would get to tired being in the front. :)