General Cycling Discussion - 50 miles!!!

I just doubled my longest ride of the year! I went out planning on doing a 20 mile bike ride on my road bike, but found a riding group. Before I knew it, I had cranked in 40 miles with them. I said what the heck, and put in another 8. So, I guess I should correct myself. I only did 48.38 miles, but I did average 17.66 miles per hour.

(my furthest ride ever was back in September when I did 63 during an attempt at a century. I think I am on track to be able to finish the century this year.)

Keep it up!! Congrats.

That many miles at that speed is quite respectable. Nice work!

Originally posted by kobyj
(my furthest ride ever was back in September when I did 63 during an attempt at a century. I think I am on track to be able to finish the century this year.)
Metric Century = 63 miles :thumbup:

Congrats on the miles and the speed.

Congrats on the distance "milestone'. :)

You can do that type of milege and more if you make sure you have enough to eat. You do not need to spend money on packaged bars or gels. You can make do with inexpensive homemade stuff as long as you know how you digest it before hand.

Chances are that if you eat as you ride, you will easily make the 100 mile mark as long as you work up to it and learn to eat/drink before you think you need to. If you drink only after you are thristy, it's too late. Same goes for the eating as you ride, start nibbling on food as you start to ride and keep it up as you go :) you will be able to complete long distance with much more ease that way.

It's also helpful if you can meet up with a group to ride with for support, the miles will pass more quickly with a group and you will have support if you have a flat or other mechanical difficulty.

I'll second what Felix said; I like gels myself, but whatever you go for, make sure you can eat it on the bike. Gels are nice because you can tuck three or four of them in a cycling jersey, and you don't need to screw with coming up with a magic mixture that will last for a day or two in the summer heat beforehand.

Also, make sure you have *plenty* of water. I haven't done a century yet, either (longest ride to date was 83 miles), but a day of running errands will see me sucking my Camelbak (100oz) dry. Bring some gatorade in a bottle if you'd like, but make sure that the majority of your fluid supply is plain h-two-ohh.

I still don't get how some people manage to pull off double-centuries with two bottles on their bike...

Thanks for the advice on completing the century later this year. I do enjoy riding in a group. You get to talk about other stuff instead of just thinking, "Maybe I'll head back home now." Plus, you gotta love those pace lines! At times, we would close up the lines and shoot off at 22-24 MPH!



I still don't get how some people manage to pull off double-centuries with two bottles on their bike...

I think that it just takes a little training. At one point in my running career, in good weather, I could knock out 15-20 miles (2.5-3 hours) of running first thing in the morning without any water or food. As it was Sunday, I did the 2 hrs. 44 mins. or so of riding with only one bottle (60F, around 10-12MPH wind).



You can do that type of milege and more if you make sure you have enough to eat.

I don't have a cycling jersey yet, so I didn't bring food along (As I said earlier, I only planned on doing 20 miles or so). We stopped at a gas station at about mile 32. The Snickers bar was nice, but made my mouth sticky. I'm sure that it helped me get through the last 16 miles.


Being a long distance runner (3 half marathons, 1 full marathon, and 2 ultra marathons so far) I understand the point of eating and drinking before I need it.

Congratulations on the 50 miles!!!

I just did my first 50 (51.6) this weekend as well. It felt great and I definitely could have gone another 50 miles...I'm also trying to get ready for a century.

I have not yet bought a rode bike...so, my ride was done on a mountain bike. I'm now considering going into deeper debt for a rode bike. I want more speed!

My average speed was nothing compared to your 17+.

I'm very impressed with your time. I'd like to up my speed....any good training tips. Plus, what is an average speed...consider the fact that I am riding around on the Blue Ridge Mountains. I need a goal.

17+ is a very respectable pace for 50 miles solo. Don't worry about the pace so much as much as just getting the distance done.

A good road bike should be considered an investment in yourself. Make sure to get one that fits more than anything else. It doesn't matter if you get all the latest doo-dads if the frame does not fit. Think of it like shopping for a pair of shoes, they need to fit you well and so should a bike.

A jersey is also a good investment as it will have easily reached pockets for snacks etc. You can do without a jersey if you have a saddle pouch to put stuff in, but a decent jersey can be had for less than $20 and it will more than pay for itself in short order.

I should clarify something really quick. Only my first few and last few miles were solo. Miles 5-45 were with a group. I doubt I could hold anywhere near 14 MPH for 35, let alone 50.

Being in a pace line with a group makes all of the difference. You don't have the wind drag and you have the draft of the rider ahead of you to help pull you along.

Good Job on the 50 miles

sometimes when I ride I just get into a rhythm and before I know it I've gone 20 miles, and the funny thing is I'm not tired by the end. Yet when I watch the miles go by and think about how long I have been riding I seem to be a little worn out by the end of the ride. I guess cycling is a state of mind :D

Congratulations!!! That's a big milestone.

I have been mountain biking off and on for several years and just purchased my first road bike. It's incredible how the miles fly by so much faster and easier with a bike built for the purpose.
I bought my road bike a few weeks ago and have decided to train for the STP (Seattle to Portland) ride in July (a back to back century ride, 200 miles for the weekend). I am commuting to work once mid week (20 miles) and just rode 30 miles each day this past weekend. This coming weekend will be two 40 milers and the following weekend I intend to be up to a pair of 50's. I will ride at least another 20 mid week and hope to find time to get some good mountain biking in as well.
I can sure understand why bikers are so into their sport. It is invigorating and what a rush I feel for the remainder of the day after riding a long ride in the morning. A guy can sure feel a true sense of accomplishment after pounding the pedals for a long ride.
Not to mention, you can eat all the pizza you want!!!
Keep us posted on your progress toward the century.:D