General Cycling Discussion - First 20+ mile ride!

I just got into cycling this year (except for riding when I was a kid) to get back into shape and to spend extra time riding with the family.
This past Monday (Memorial Day) a friend of mine and I decided that instead of driving ourselves out to the family cookout / get together that we would ride our bikes.
From my place to my fathers is 20.5 miles. We took off a little late around 11:00am (it was already over 90 degrees here in Texas and headed to around 100) we arrived just after 1:30pm.
This was the farthest I have even ridden at one time. Now, I know it's not much compared to most people here but, I was impressed that I made it. We are already planning our next trip for this weekend.
One reason I decided to post this here at the forum was because I have read many stories and been help with several questions I have had by the wonder people here. If it wasn't for this forum I seriously don't know if I would have gotten into cycling.
Thanks

Congratulations. I'm trying to get back into condition after a long layoff. Never forget, the 20 miles you do is better than the super century the other guy plans & never does.

you rode back right? Then that's a 40 mile trip.

We were going to ride back but ended up staying later then we had expected and it was getting dark and I don't have any lights on my bike. I packed it in the van and headed back with the wife and kids...
I hope to do a 40+ mile ride Saturday on the Trinity Trails (Fort Worth, TX.)!

I also just got started in road biking. Always wanted to, but never seem to find the time. With gas prices getting a little crazy, I decided to try commuting. It's a 20 mile commute round trip and I have been loving it. Legs feel like jello, but it will get better.

I just keep thanking god that the ride home is more down hill than the ride to work.

Your 20 is nothing to be ashamed of, 90+ degree's, I admire your accomplishment.
Im also getting back on the saddle at 47. Its going to take some work for sure.
My son & I took a ride also on Monday, a nice 81 degree's 1/4 mile from home & a strong NE wind kicked up off lake Michagan & dropped the air temp by 35 degree's, wearing only shorts & jersey our ride was ended real fast like.


Best of luck to you Saturday on the Trinity Trails

I just got into cycling this year (except for riding when I was a kid) to get back into shape and to spend extra time riding with the family.
This past Monday (Memorial Day) a friend of mine and I decided that instead of driving ourselves out to the family cookout / get together that we would ride our bikes.
From my place to my fathers is 20.5 miles. We took off a little late around 11:00am (it was already over 90 degrees here in Texas and headed to around 100) we arrived just after 1:30pm.
This was the farthest I have even ridden at one time. Now, I know it's not much compared to most people here but, I was impressed that I made it. We are already planning our next trip for this weekend.
One reason I decided to post this here at the forum was because I have read many stories and been help with several questions I have had by the wonder people here. If it wasn't for this forum I seriously don't know if I would have gotten into cycling.
Thanks



Congratulations! That part of Texas can be deceptively hilly and most certainly windy (mom lives in Hurst). Now that you've broken the 20 mile mark, the metric century can't be too far off! Keep on pedalling!:thumb:

Wow! That's quite a ride! That's like bicycling the Lake Mineral Wells trailway. That's a nice bicycling trail if you ever get out there. Not paved but hard packed dirt and light gravel, I see roadbikes on it alot. All I have is my Columbian MTB. From Mineral Wells to Weatherford and back it's about 42 miles. Lots of brown eagles and deer to be seen so bring a camera. Here's a link (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lake_mineral_wells/)
Ernest

PS: Maybe take a tube patching kit, I got a thorn in my tire last time. Lucky for me, I was already at the end of the trail when the tire went flat.

Congrats! Keep up the good pedaling.

Good deal!

I remember my first 20 miler, and it is certainly a stepping stone.
Keep it up, and you'll soon be covering that distance in an hour and a half.

20 miles is nothing to be ashamed of, that's for sure.
Lots of people -LOTS of people- think 20 miles on a bicycle is just... why, it's just insane
You're now well on your way. Congrats.

Thanks for all the encouragement's!
I got my wife out with me this weekend and we did 28.8 miles round trip!
For those of you that know the Trinity Trails in Fort Worth, we went from the start in Benbrook off Winscott Rd. all the way to North Fort Worth at 23rd & Samuels St. then back!
It was great weather, started in the 80's and got up to mid 90's.
The wife is beat but she kept up very well...
Can wait to get out again!

Hey, It was only 88 here, but with the humidity, it was in the high 90's when I was riding today. I only did 23 miles and was whipped. Very nice accomplishment. As it gets warmer, you will need to ride earlier or after the sun heads down. Get some lights and learn to love the night riding like I do. 90% of my summer time rides are after 10 pm when the rain is gone, heat is down and the people are in bed.

congrats. I have only gone about 12 mi so far down hill, then 12 mi uphill with 8% grade probably in las vegas, in city. I had to stop twice though on the way back up..im not in the best shape even with karate train 3 days a week..and some training on my spare time..my job does keep me on my feet though and that is were most of my exercise comes from. It is very hot here in las vegas, luckily it has been kinda of mild this year though, only 95 today..i will probably stop in md july and aug, because 115 deg is just to damn hot imo. Once sept and oct roll in, i plan to ride 4 days a week at least 2 hours a day..and sometimes to work..which is a 9 mi commute.

im a smoker btw..and yes plan to quit, very hard even at my young age= ( wish i never started 8 years ago