Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Robert Foster
08-20-08, 05:07 PM
Some of you might remember that I planned on trying out a 22 mile dirt trail this weekend. I have been doing 25 to 30 mile rides on the road for a few weeks now and felt that a 22 mile dirt trail would be interesting. I also felt that today I might be able to climb the ½ mile switch back road up to the top of the dam where the trail started. The trailhead is 4.5 miles from my house so I figured I had a 31 mile round trip for the day.
The good news is I managed to make the ride and I even managed to climb the hill. But the hill took a lot out of me that I didn’t realize till later. I also discovered the 22 miles on dirt is harder than 22 miles on the street. I knew it would be harder but I didn’t realize how much harder. The trail is pretty level all in all but of course it has a small roller coaster like up and down like many dirt trails have. But the killer was the gravel and sand. Still I might have enjoyed that if my legs, feet and hands wouldn’t have hurt so much by the 12 mile mark.
I managed to get the seat adjusted so it didn’t bother me too much but my hands kept going numb. By the 18 mile mark I have finished most of my water. I had one larger bike water bottle and two 12 frozen water bottles when I started the ride. My legs were tired at the 20 mile mark and my feet started bothering me.
After getting to the Kiosk and checking out I knew I had a 4.5-mile ride home and now my hands feet were sore. But nonetheless I made it home in one piece and about as tired as I have ever been. But as I was laying in the hot bathtub all I could think of is what I was going to do about my flat bars and pedals or shoes. Just doing it, as Nike says, made it a good day. My feet still hurt but that is easing up and my hands are coming back to life. I think I had a good time.
The good news is I managed to make the ride and I even managed to climb the hill. But the hill took a lot out of me that I didn’t realize till later. I also discovered the 22 miles on dirt is harder than 22 miles on the street. I knew it would be harder but I didn’t realize how much harder. The trail is pretty level all in all but of course it has a small roller coaster like up and down like many dirt trails have. But the killer was the gravel and sand. Still I might have enjoyed that if my legs, feet and hands wouldn’t have hurt so much by the 12 mile mark.
I managed to get the seat adjusted so it didn’t bother me too much but my hands kept going numb. By the 18 mile mark I have finished most of my water. I had one larger bike water bottle and two 12 frozen water bottles when I started the ride. My legs were tired at the 20 mile mark and my feet started bothering me.
After getting to the Kiosk and checking out I knew I had a 4.5-mile ride home and now my hands feet were sore. But nonetheless I made it home in one piece and about as tired as I have ever been. But as I was laying in the hot bathtub all I could think of is what I was going to do about my flat bars and pedals or shoes. Just doing it, as Nike says, made it a good day. My feet still hurt but that is easing up and my hands are coming back to life. I think I had a good time.