Southern California - Should I try SFV to Newport Beach?

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Nerdanel
08-20-08, 12:56 AM
I have a retreat to go to in Newport Beach this weekend. I have all day Friday to get there from near Valley College in Van Nuys so I'm thinking of riding my bicycle. Bike Metro gives me a 65 mile route. I've been biking pretty regularly for the past 6 months on my Giant Cypress but my longest ride has been 35 miles, with lots of 20-25 mile days. I'm 56; I'm not real fast but my stamina is pretty good. The route looks pretty flat or downhill and includes around 20 miles of bikepath. Am I crazy to try it? My husband will be driving down and can rescue me if I need it.

ir0nfist
08-20-08, 01:40 AM
why not. Bring your cell phone, plenty of water, emergency money. Doing things for the first time at your age is quite an accomplishment. Many people are too afraid to try something new.
JTGraphics
08-20-08, 08:30 AM
65 miles isn't that far as long as you pace yourself and enjoy the ride it will go by with no problem, take a few rest stops along the way. Give yourself plenty of time since its your first long ride leave like 6-6:30 so you'll have a good early start. You'd be amazed just how far you can go on a bike in a short time, and 56 isn't old in my book! I'm 53 and like the long rides and we have a guy thats 72 with us sometimes so take that ride and enjoy while you can.

Carbon Unit
08-20-08, 08:34 AM
I agree go for it. You should bring something to replenish your electrolytes like Gatorade and maybe something for energy like Powerbars or Gu Energy Gel. If you haven't ridden this far, you could run out of energy until you are eating on the ride.
Nerdanel
08-24-08, 03:40 PM
OK, I did it! My colleagues were very impressed and kept their opinions of my insanity to themselves. I'm very pleased with myself--thanks for the encouragement!
One thing I found odd reminded me of one of the many benefits of cycling: my colleagues had no idea what route one would take from the East Valley to Newport Beach, and wondered whether I'd come down Sepulveda, and had I gone by Palos Verdes, or through Anaheim. You get so little information about the layout of the city when you stay on the freeways. It didn't occur to anyone that I might just go down the rivers to the coast. I really like connecting up parts of my world by bicycle so I feel like I really know where I am.
Anyway, go me!