Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Top reasons I should go on a century today ...

I'm looking for inspiration ...

Me too. Even the warm weather near 70F can't get me off my chair.

Me too. Even the warm weather near 70F can't get me off my chair.

I need to leave in the next 30-45 min to make it back before dark. Today is just perfect weather - mid 70's. And I worry it may be one of the last "nice" days before next year.

I need to leave in the next 30-45 min to make it back before dark. Today is just perfect weather - mid 70's. And I worry it may be one of the last "nice" days before next year.

Normally I would be out the door already, but I'm waiting to hear from a new important client. Second day in a row.

If only this was still 2007 when the economy was better.

Michael

Normally I would be out the door already, but I'm waiting to hear from a new important client. Second day in a row.

If only this was still 2007 when the economy was better.

Michael


I've gotta an idea ... let's both challenge each other to do a century today and report back this evening. Good luck getting out today ... enjoy the weather. I'm going to be trying to keep up my average speed, and go for a better ride time this time around. Not usually a priority for me, but something to challenge myself today. Have a good one!! Talk to ya later. Be safe.

Go get em! I'll ride today and report back.

Do it for the guy (me) who messed up his knee two weeks ago and is off the bike for at least one more week...

Do it for the guy (me) who messed up his knee two weeks ago and is off the bike for at least one more week...

I'm outta here ... this one's for you! :thumb:

Go get em! I'll ride today and report back.

Cya later. Once again, be safe.

Me too. But, I'll wait until the sun comes back tomorrow. All day, it's raining cats and dogs.

It's cold and rainy here, and I'd still rather be out on a 200k than piloting a desk for 8 hours.

Well, I'm back ... in one piece ... and TOTALLY exhausted. I rolled in at like 2 minutes before sunset.

I'm sipping my seltzer water and waiting for a nice red meat dinner. I'll be pouring a beer shortly, after I nurse myself back to the land of the living ... it will be especially tasty considering that is all I was thinking about for the last 30 miles. :beer:

I did 103.5 miles in 6 hr 1 min (ride time) = avg 17.2 mph ... pretty good for me. :thumb: Must have been the sun dropping on the horizon that lit a fire under my arse.

I got totally lost at one point (like 10 miles out of the way) ... I finally asked for directions from another biker (casual rider). He was so nice ... because the directions to get to the desired road were so convoluted, he offered to ride with me (out of his way) to make sure I got there OK. Discovering this kind of genuine kindness is one of the reasons I love to bike.

Michael - you back yet?

Well, I'm back ... in one piece ... and TOTALLY exhausted. I rolled in at like 2 minutes before sunset.

I'm sipping my seltzer water and waiting for a nice red meat dinner. I'll be pouring a beer shortly, after I nurse myself back to the land of the living ... it will be especially tasty considering that is all I was thinking about for the last 30 miles. :beer:

I did 103.5 miles in 6 hr 1 min (ride time) = avg 17.2 mph ... pretty good for me. :thumb: Must have been the sun dropping on the horizon that lit a fire under my arse.

I got totally lost at one point (like 10 miles out of the way) ... I finally asked for directions from another biker (casual rider). He was so nice ... because the directions to get to the desired road were so convoluted, he offered to ride with me (out of his way) to make sure I got there OK. Discovering this kind of genuine kindness is one of the reasons I love to bike.

Michael - you back yet?

Thanks:thumb:

That's a bit faster than I manage (but I'm working on it...maybe a lighter bike is in order:D)

Since I couldn't ride, I spent a few hours helping to set up for the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross this weekend. I was nice to be out and watching people riding (HEY!!! Shouldn't you be actually working, get off that bike and help with this fencing!)

It is always nice to see how cyclists will go out of their way to help others.

That's a bit faster than I manage (but I'm working on it...maybe a lighter bike is in order:D)

It's about the biker and the experience ... not so much the speed. I ride an aluminum bike and see no need to get a carbon bike, or pare down my ride to the absolute necessities. I'm out to get exercise, fresh air, and personally challenge myself.


Since I couldn't ride, I spent a few hours helping to set up for the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross this weekend. I was nice to be out and watching people riding (HEY!!! Shouldn't you be actually working, get off that bike and help with this fencing!)

I know how frustrating it can be to be injured and out-of-commission. I had acute ITBS two years ago, and it knocked me out for several months. It is always good to get out, and around active people.

Well, I'm back ... in one piece ... and TOTALLY exhausted. I rolled in at like 2 minutes before sunset.



Michael - you back yet?

Umm...

I'm not going to lie. I never got out, the phone calls and emails kept me at my post.

:bang:

Umm...

I'm not going to lie. I never got out, the phone calls and emails kept me at my post.

:bang:

No biggie ... I understand how work trumps biking (well, kind-of :))

Hopefully you get out while the weather holds up. That is definitely my last century of the season ... I'm whipped!

No biggie ... I understand how work trumps biking (well, kind-of :))

Hopefully you get out while the weather holds up. That is definitely my last century of the season ... I'm whipped!

I said that at the end of my last century (last weekend); as the weekend approaches, the urge comes back and I'm ready to suffer some more lol

Good to hear you guys going after it! It's inspiring me to get off my arse and get riding.

So? Didja go? How was it?

SP
Horribly jealous in
Bend, OR

I'm looking for inspiration ...


because the road is there
because the bike is at hand



because the monthly stats will look better with one more
because the YTD stats will look better with one more

So? Didja go? How was it?

SP
Horribly jealous in
Bend, OR

Yes ... did you read my post from last night?

I had to ride another 20 miles today to go to an appt ... feel fine except for my arse. :lol: It was a nice change to jump on my beater bike, with wider saddle, and take it relatively easy at slower speeds.

What do you guys eat for recovery food? Last night I drank down some soy milk with protein powder. That always seems to help me ... that with some carbs/meat. The final touch was Nachos .... that set me straight. :lol: Well, at least until it goes through my system ....

BTW, the top reason for riding a century has to be the amazingly good taste/refreshment of a beer afterwards. That, and the taste of ice cold water, and red meat. Along with sitting in the hot shower for 10 minutes. That should have all been mentioned yesterday ... I'm disappointed in all of you!! :lol:

I got inspired, reading this thread. I went out today and did my first 1/2 century. It felt pretty good, though I'm not sure I'm ready for the full century just yet.

I got inspired, reading this thread. I went out today and did my first 1/2 century. It felt pretty good, though I'm not sure I'm ready for the full century just yet.

:thumb: Great job! Congrats! Just work your way up gradually. No sense in rushing it, and then being totally miserable (as opposed to being in mild agony :lol:)

It's about the biker and the experience ... not so much the speed. I ride an aluminum bike and see no need to get a carbon bike, or pare down my ride to the absolute necessities. I'm out to get exercise, fresh air, and personally challenge myself.


Ah, the joke here is that I ride a steel framed hybrid, that is set up as a commuter:fenders, lights, luggage, tools, rain gear, etc. All up, as ridden for club rides, with two full bottles, it's about 42lbs. For centuries, with additional food, spare folding tire, a couple more bottles (on a behind the seat mount), clothing as needed, it's pushing 50lbs.

Until the rider losses a good bit of the extra poundage that he carries around, I'm not too worried about the little bit extra the bike weighs. Once the rider meets some of his weight loss goals, a lighter, speedier bike will be the reward (current plans point to a cyclocross bike, set up as a LD ride)...then watch out! I'll be flyin'!:D

Ah, the joke here is that I ride a steel framed hybrid, that is set up as a commuter:fenders, lights, luggage, tools, rain gear, etc. All up, as ridden for club rides, with two full bottles, it's about 42lbs. For centuries, with additional food, spare folding tire, a couple more bottles (on a behind the seat mount), clothing as needed, it's pushing 50lbs.

Until the rider losses a good bit of the extra poundage that he carries around, I'm not too worried about the little bit extra the bike weighs. Once the rider meets some of his weight loss goals, a lighter, speedier bike will be the reward (current plans point to a cyclocross bike, set up as a LD ride)...then watch out! I'll be flyin'!:D

The way I see it: a biker that can carry all that weight on a century is all that much better for it. It's like running with ankle weights. Of course, it is always fun to go faster - can't argue with that. Yeah, if you get a lighter bike, you will break the sound barrier as you literally fly off. :D

I'm looking for inspiration ...

Because you can't post to the LD forum without it