Started off from Penn Station at 4 AM. Unfortunately as soon as I was on the road my right knee started hurting a little bit above and below the kneecap. I haven't had knee pain since I started riding so that was an unwelcomed beginning. I had a pretty good pace going, around 17-19 mph or so.
Stopped at the first rest stop to pee and grab a few cookies, then back on the road. Cparekh and BrooklynRider were going to kick off from Babylon at around 7 - it was 5:50 when I left the rest stop. So now I started hammering trying to get to Babylon. Almost made it - got there two minutes after they left (7:18ish). Stretched for a minute and back on the road, now hammering at 80% to try to meet them at the next rest stop since the thought of riding with a 15 mph group sounded great for the whole ride out.
By now my knee was really hurting and in my mind I was just hoping I could make it to 100 though I had my doubts. Got there and met them and Jerry. BrooklynRider had some Advil which totally saved me, after about 20 mins it felt tons better. We left soon after so at this point between the three rest stops I stopped for under 20 mins for 65 miles - for me that's very minimal. I started feeling it a little when we had a 18 mph pace going - 14.9 my ass! Surprisingly I was able to hang, at a quick stop BrooklynRider showed me some stretches that also helped.
Another weird pain crept up around this point - on my left side about even with my bellybutton if I pushed it in. Not sure what it is, doesn't feel like a strained muscle but something hurts there and I never experienced it before. Still there today. Dr. appointment tomorrow.
We picked up other riders along the way (Tracy, Chad and a few other Teams in Training) and had a nice friendly group. I hung with BR for most of it, showed me how to ride in a pace line and a few other tips and tricks that really helped. After the West Hampton rest stop the group started hammering down Dune Rd, after 90 miles I couldn't keep up the pace and dropped back with BrooklynRider. Great conversations along the way, beautiful scenery. I hit my century mark (second one ever) going up the bridge at the end of Dune Rd - for some reason it looked smaller than last year, time was about 6:55 which was 25 mins faster than last year (can thank riding with the group for that!).
We caught up to cparekh and Jerry at the second to last rest stop and struck a mostly easy pace for the last 30 miles. Along that straight stretch along 27 Jerry went to pull off the side of the road but hit the sand and endo'd - after the initial shock it was pretty funny since he landed so gracefully into a huge pile of sand.
Started the rain for about the last 10 miles but boy did that feel good. At the beginning of the rolling hills I needed an extra rest but then was able to hammer down which got me through the end. I really didn't eat enough on the trip and was really looking forward to some food that wasn't there. I was trying to hold a cup and kept spilling it until Jerry stuck a hot dog bun in my mouth, I must of seemed pretty unsteady!
We had a fun group on the train ride back - ran into Mr. Crassic who hung with us until the rest of the group left at Babylon and then we hung out until Penn Station, grabbed some slices and then was the last to get our bikes off (so no waiting but a brief moment of panic when it seemed that the truck was closing up). Someone (can't remember his name but sat with us at first and then left) left his bag and helmet on the train - we grabbed it and then ran into him as he was leaving so that was the good deed of the day.
Can't thank BrooklynRider, cparekh and Jerry enough for all their help and encouragement along the way. The fact that I was able to sorta keep up (and hopefully not slow them down too much) and almost catch up to them at the 100 mile start were bigger accomplishments for me than the 145 miles. That and they called me a Fred. Thanks guys!!
Final average - 14.6 which for me is the highest average of any ride (since I constantly have to stop in traffic my averages never get above 12 or so).
Calories burned - 9435
Ass on saddle time - 10 hours, 10 mins.
Total time my gps was on from Penn Station to Montauk - 13 hours.
Good points:
- Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous weather. I even enjoyed the rain for the last bit but may not have if it was that way the whole time. I do well in cooler air so when everyone was putting on jackets I was getting my second (4th? 9th?) wind.
- The cheesecake at Corey Beach was a nice change, one slice gave me lots to use since the other food was pretty meh.
- Strawberries - saved both me and BrooklynRider when we were both starting to bonk near the Water Mill rest stop. So much better than oranges and bananas.
Bad points:
- Were there any markings? They were really hard to see, really small, and many times (earlier on) under parked cars. Seriously there were markings in parking spots - who thought that would be a good place?
- No ****ing food at the end. For a group that's done this as long as they have that was inexcusable especially since we got there with plenty of time before the last train. Most of the people on the train didn't eat or just had one plate - I burned over 9,000 calories yesterday and I was able to munch on some hot dog buns, chips, and salad. Oh boy.
That last one pissed me off enough that I'm not sure I want to do the 5BBC version again compared to what Glen's put into his ride. I may feel differently but that was a huge downer.
tomdaniels
05-19-08, 11:43 AM
Wow, super congrats to you! Sounds like fun.
Tom Stormcrowe
05-19-08, 11:46 AM
Sounds like a heck of a ride and right up there with my personal best. :D
Air
05-19-08, 11:48 AM
I was thinking of you Tom - I said there was no way I'm ever going to think about breaking Tom's record :D
Actually if my knee and side didn't hurt for unknown reasons I'd change that...but I think I need to get my speed up first.
Tom Stormcrowe
05-19-08, 11:51 AM
All you needed was another 21 miles to tie me. ;) 22 to beat me.
Of course, if my hip and shoulder cooperate, I'll be setting the bar just a leeeeeeeeetle bit higher if I pull off the sub 18 hour 311 mile ride I'm setting up to try. :D
Air
05-19-08, 11:56 AM
Yeah...that one's all you! :D
CliftonGK1
05-19-08, 12:01 PM
Nice work! Sounds like it was (save for the missing street markings) a really good ride. I love seeing all the long distance ride reports from the Clydes and Athenas.
I did 108.44 this weekend, and one of the guys I rode with for a while (another Clyde), was wearing his PBP 2K7 jersey. <-- Talk about some crazy distance!
Tom Stormcrowe
05-19-08, 12:03 PM
Sounds like a strained abdominal muscle. Fairly common with Clyde's and really long rides. Are you doing any core exercises? If not, once the pain quits, start doing some crunches and sitbacks. That will help with that problem.
CliftonGK1
05-19-08, 12:16 PM
Sounds like a strained abdominal muscle. Fairly common with Clyde's and really long rides.
I bet you're right. I do core exercises, and my abs are a bit sore after this weekend.
JoeMetal
05-19-08, 12:26 PM
That sounds like it was quite the good time. It almost makes me want to make the trip to LI next May. :p
bautieri
05-19-08, 12:40 PM
Great work Air, to bad they fed you vegetarian hotdogs at the end. If nothing else you still have the experience and a personal record from it.
Air
05-19-08, 12:56 PM
Thanks all!
Strained abdominal - I thought it was that but I can't seem to stretch it so it hurts, only when I push in. Not even on deep breathes. I'm slightly worried that the appendix is on the left side.
Food - did not do a good job with that this time around. I started off strong (two cheeseburgers gave me plenty of fuel for the first 65 miles) but the rest stops had some crappy stuff that I knew wouldn't do well with my stomach. At the second to last rest stop I looked down and noticed my black shirt was white - ate a few bags of chips to replenish the salt and boy did I feel better (plus the strawberries). There was supposed to be pasta, burgers, and hot dogs but they ran out - pathetic.
One thing I added above - I was voted a Fred by some serious roadies. That was really cool :D
Air
05-19-08, 12:58 PM
I did 108.44 this weekend
Congrats!!
AirBeagle1
05-19-08, 01:10 PM
Awesome job Air, and love the ride report!
Likewise, great job to CliftonGK1 as well!
Air
05-19-08, 01:20 PM
:eek: Another Air?! ;)
Thanks! :D
hendrick81
05-19-08, 01:27 PM
congrats
bab2000
05-19-08, 01:36 PM
One thing I added above - I was voted a Fred by some serious roadies. That was really cool :DIs this a good thing:twitchy:
From Wikipedia - fred (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_%28bicycling%29)
PS: Thanks for sharing your day's events, and agree a very good job, and understand your disappoinment regarding support stops.
Air
05-19-08, 01:45 PM
The guys I was with used it in the UK form ;)
In the UK the earlier usage is more common—used by 'serious' roadies to refer to (often) bearded, sandal wearing, touring cyclists[citation needed]. The rare female Fred is a Doris.
This usage still survives in the US - David Bernstein, presenter of The FredCast says the term is "used by 'serious' roadies to disparage utility cyclists and touring riders, especially after these totally unfashionable 'freds' drop the 'serious' roadies on hills because the 'serious' guys were really posers." Mostly, though, a Fred dreams of being able to drop a real cyclist because their equipment is nicer.
coasting
05-19-08, 01:47 PM
Unbelievable! What an achievement. Congrats. When are you going to do your next century?
CliftonGK1
05-19-08, 01:49 PM
One thing I added above - I was voted a Fred by some serious roadies. That was really cool :D
The groups I rode with were mostly on some serious high-carbon diets. Full CF rides, lightweight low-spoke count wheels, and little teeny tiny seat wedges. Everything else was jammed into their jersey pockets (which looks really uncomfortable.)
I was rolling on my big steel Surly with a rack-mounted handlebar bag, full fenders, mudflaps, and 28mm tires. At least one guy was super appreciative of my Fred-ness when I let him have some extra spf 50 sunblock at the 53 mile rest stop. (Yeah, I brought an entire tube of sunblock.)
CliftonGK1
05-19-08, 01:52 PM
Unbelievable! What an achievement. Congrats. When are you going to do your next century?
I'm doing my next one on Monday... but I only did 3/4 the mileage that Air did this weekend.
Air
05-19-08, 02:20 PM
There's another Montauk ride planned for June 21st. I'm not sure if I want to do the whole 145 yet - want to see what the good doc says about this knee pain. Don't want to eff something up and not be able to ride for the rest of the summer.
Looking at the bottom of my shoes (the edge of the pedal wore a whole in the middle of the shoe) I think I may get those knee saver extensions which may also help and may think about toe clips too - from what they were saying it should help though my wide feet will make that a little more difficult. We'll see.
Air
05-19-08, 03:16 PM
My first motionbased upload - here's the route (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/kml/episode.kml?episodePkValues=5710866).
v1k1ng1001
05-19-08, 03:42 PM
:beer: Nice work Air!
Mr. Beanz
05-19-08, 03:59 PM
Wow, that's a loooong ways. Good job! What bike did you ride? and what saddle?:D
I hate rides thatt don't plan for the long D riders. We did a ride once where most of the riders did 50. We did 100 on the tandem. When we returned the only thing left to eat was M&M's,.....not even peanut!:(
Mazama
05-19-08, 04:09 PM
Awesome work, Air. Did you forget the camera? :(
unixpro
05-19-08, 04:16 PM
Awesome ride, Air! Congratulations!
Air
05-19-08, 05:36 PM
Brought a disposable, when my knee feels better I'll walk to the photo place and get them developed!
My ride: Nishiki Sport (hmm...have to get some better pics up soon)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1279/625409194_77cecfeacf.jpg
Wheels: Mavic Aksiums complements of Stevesurf
Tires: Gatorskins (NO FLATS! Couldn't believe it, I was getting glass flats once or twice a ride)
Saddle: Velo Plus. Yeah...padded seat but my butt didn't really hurt much so I can't complain. No pressure on the taint so it does its job.
Biggest thing are the trekking bars - a few people were sold on them after seeing them in action. You can get 9 different positions on them without thinking about it and the way I've set them up I can shift from most of them.
Mr. Beanz
05-19-08, 06:24 PM
Cool set up! Looks LD all the way! No bar tape?
BTW, something funny about the Velo saddle. My wife used one for nearly 4 years. payed about $30 at the LBS. One day while walking thru Target, I spotted a saddle that looked similar. It was under another label and included the hardware for oldschool seat posts. I looked under the saddle on the shell, said "VELO". Heck, I took it home for $14 !:D........I picked them up there after that for 1/2 price. Used to have decent stuff including Lemond products. Not sure what they have now.
vXhanz
05-19-08, 06:41 PM
Way to go dude! That's one heck of a ride! Get well soon!
V
jyossarian
05-19-08, 06:50 PM
Congrats Air! BTW, I've seen you ride so you might want to check the following:
Tread/Q-factor: Your knees stick way the **** out. Maybe a longer spindle will help?
Those wedge thingies to manage the fact that your knees stick way the **** out.
Now imagine if you had a lighter bike than that iron Nishiki and some clipless pedals. You'd be flying. You doing Glenn's Montauk century?
Air
05-19-08, 07:29 PM
Cool set up! Looks LD all the way! No bar tape?
I'm surprised I don't have a picture handy but I'm pretty sure I took one on the ride (dropped off the camera at Duane Reade (don't like bringing my digital in case it drops or something). I actually bought 3 sets of cheap rubber grips, cut the ends off and squeezed them on. THEN I wrapped the bars in foam - so I have two layers of cushion not including the gloves. VERY comfy!
BTW, something funny about the Velo saddle. My wife used one for nearly 4 years. payed about $30 at the LBS. One day while walking thru Target, I spotted a saddle that looked similar. It was under another label and included the hardware for oldschool seat posts. I looked under the saddle on the shell, said "VELO". Heck, I took it home for $14 !:D........I picked them up there after that for 1/2 price.
I got the saddle with my Downtube folder. I loved the seat so much I put it on this bike then asked around in the folding thread if anyone swapped out their seat (since most people said it was the first thing they got rid of). Got three responses, picked them up and now I'm set for a while!
jaxgtr
05-19-08, 07:37 PM
Fantastic job brother. Congrats to you.
Air
05-19-08, 07:40 PM
Congrats Air! BTW, I've seen you ride so you might want to check the following:
Tread/Q-factor: Your knees stick way the **** out. Maybe a longer spindle will help?
Those wedge thingies to manage the fact that your knees stick way the **** out.
(Yes - my shoes actually say 'Air' on the bottoms :D)
My gigantic platform pedals (http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/250/NS-LCP-NCL-ANGLE.jpg) (4" wide) end where those grooves are and start at the edge of my foot. Since I step on the outside of my feet it means that if I'm not thinking about pedaling what you're seeing is my knee kicking out but what's happening is my foot is falling off the pedals and pulling down on the pedal instead of pushing down on it. Probably why when I was hammering and mashing I didn't feel anything - I started really pushing down with the ball of my foot. Also the hole in the bottom is the side that my knee hurts (right side). Looks like the kneesavers are going to be my next purchase hands down. I have orthodics if that's what the wedgie things are :D
Now imagine if you had a lighter bike than that iron Nishiki and some clipless pedals. You'd be flying.
My Nishiki is damned light compared to the 48 lb mountain bike I have!! :p One of the guys we rode with (Gerry - amazing dude, hoping to get him out on one of our nightly rides) made a good point with toe clips. I'll start looking for ones wide enough - most I've seen though are much narrower than those platforms. I'll start rooting around mtb sites though, he said I'd have more luck there.
You doing Glenn's Montauk century?
Yup! Not sure if the 100 or 145 yet.
jaxgtr
05-19-08, 08:33 PM
You might also look into pedal extenders. I put some on my CAAD9 to widen my Q factor and it has helped a lot.
Air
05-19-08, 08:41 PM
Yup - that's what I was thinking of. There's a company that makes them, think they're called kneesavers right?
My only concern with those (though I should probably dig up that thread and put it in there) is I wonder if they would bend under the additional fulcrum forces.
And thanks!
jaxgtr
05-19-08, 08:54 PM
Save your cash, they are super duper expensive, around $45. I found some on ebay for $16 and they work great. The wrench size needed to install is larger than the standard peddle wrench so no one can steal them off your bike, but if your pedals require an allen wrench, all the pedal extenders I found are solid and you will have to use other tools to install them. My spd's work great with these and I got the 18mm version, but they also have 27mm, the guy is great and had fantastic communication if you want to ask questions.
Hey Air,
Do you wear the tennies because you can't find cycling shoes that fit? (I know that's a problem for some of us big guys.)
Just curious because I can think back to the days when I first swapped out to a stiff soled cycling shoe, and what a world of difference they made. Especially for long distance, a switch to a stiffer soled shoe and some toe cages (along with your initial idea for kneesavers) might make things easier for you.
The Historian
05-19-08, 09:29 PM
Hey Air,
Do you wear the tennies because you can't find cycling shoes that fit? (I know that's a problem for some of us big guys.)
Just curious because I can think back to the days when I first swapped out to a stiff soled cycling shoe, and what a world of difference they made. Especially for long distance, a switch to a stiffer soled shoe and some toe cages (along with your initial idea for kneesavers) might make things easier for you.
It doesn't even need to be a cycling shoe. A stiff-soled hiking shoe will work as well, and probably be more readily available in larger sizes.
The Historian
05-19-08, 09:33 PM
Save your cash, they are super duper expensive, around $45. I found some on ebay for $16 and they work great. The wrench size needed to install is larger than the standard peddle wrench so no one can steal them off your bike, but if your pedals require an allen wrench, all the pedal extenders I found are solid and you will have to use other tools to install them. My spd's work great with these and I got the 18mm version, but they also have 27mm, the guy is great and had fantastic communication if you want to ask questions.
My LBS gets them for ten bucks apiece. I just received two pairs, so I can get the Navigator and the Raleigh I'm restoring back on the road.
Air
05-19-08, 10:12 PM
Save your cash, they are super duper expensive, around $45. I found some on ebay for $16 and they work great. The wrench size needed to install is larger than the standard peddle wrench so no one can steal them off your bike, but if your pedals require an allen wrench, all the pedal extenders I found are solid and you will have to use other tools to install them. My spd's work great with these and I got the 18mm version, but they also have 27mm, the guy is great and had fantastic communication if you want to ask questions.
I *accidentally* bought them on impulse. For $17 and no shipping it can't hurt!
Air
05-19-08, 10:14 PM
Hmm...my other post got eaten.
Long and short: My feet are 13EEEE but I sometimes wear 14EEEE if I can find them. Vanity sizing sucks.
I found some older shoes in my closet that are stiff soled and a bit narrow (sprained my ankles in them dancing but for the same reasons they were sprained they'll probably be good to ride in). Will give them a shot next ride, see if I see a difference.
Thanks all!!
Mr. Beanz
05-20-08, 12:41 AM
Holy Schmoly, sell 'em to a tugboat refurbishing company!:D
mattyknacks
05-20-08, 02:27 AM
WOW! Air, congrats on the ride! That was an awesome accomplishment. And it looks good on MotionBased too. I can't imagine biking that far in one day. I did 80 miles once 15 years ago, and remember that ride as being "difficult" for me.
I hope your aches and pain go away soon and you feel better.
jyossarian
05-20-08, 07:39 AM
BTW, here's some pics of Air's bike just to show you his "light" bike. This thing weighs more than my mtb.
And the control panel for this thing:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/2507895059_3d2ff804ee.jpg
solveg
05-20-08, 08:07 AM
Hmm...my other post got eaten.
Long and short: My feet are 13EEEE but I sometimes wear 14EEEE if I can find them. Vanity sizing sucks.
I found some older shoes in my closet that are stiff soled and a bit narrow (sprained my ankles in them dancing but for the same reasons they were sprained they'll probably be good to ride in). Will give them a shot next ride, see if I see a difference.
Thanks all!!
S'OK, Air.... you know what they say about guys with big feet! :lol:
The Historian
05-20-08, 08:28 AM
S'OK, Air.... you know what they say about guys with big feet! :lol:
Cue for an exchange this weekend during the Hell is Harrisburg ride:
Neil: Guys, how do you ride when your hands are so cold you can't bend your fingers?
Ben: I don't have that problem. My hands are small and compact.
Neil: Along with other things, I understand.
Ben: Well, we can't all be as big as you. You must be so well-hung it causes you to lean to the left!
Neil: BWHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Herb: So are you going to use what Ben said under your avatar, Neil?
B Piddy
05-20-08, 10:47 AM
We want pics Air. For those of us that ride amongst the deer, cows, tractors, and cornfields in the Midwest, we don't really know what it's like to put 146 pure city miles on. LOL
tomdaniels
05-20-08, 11:31 AM
S'OK, Air.... you know what they say about guys with big feet! :lol:
You mean how the bigger the feet, the shorter the downtube? Unfortunately, it's true.... except for me, that is! :p
Not the Slowest
05-20-08, 04:46 PM
Push or Pull, You need open toe cages which will allow you to Push down AND pull on the
up stroke. They will make you 35-50% more efficient, promise
What you are doing is MASh, MASH, MASH DOWN, DOWN DOWN. You are killing your knees, duhh.
Okay you know that now, sorry for the obvious.
You should be able to find cages that will fit your shoe, they vary a bit so look for them.
You can also with some work, ggogle a bit and find some web sites where people have made regular shoes into cycling shoes that hold SPD clips. I have seen them can't remember where, but google it, maybe even here somewhere.
Sorry for the pain, heal first, ride later, the road will still be there.