Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - First half centry

I got the chance to ride with Neil_B today and what was a kind of open ended ride turned into a 50 trip to Philadelphia and back. It feels great to have accomplished this and it really came as a surprise. I am really impressed with home much my fitness has improved in the past month and a half since I started riding. I was kind of thinking I'd like to at least hit my previous high which was 30 miles and it would be nice to go a bit past that but I don't think Neil or I had any idea it would turn into 50 miles (a bit more for Neil as he had further to go home, he is looking at a metric century).

I came back 4 lbs lighter than when I left this morning, I'm guessing that is a sign that I probably need to drink more water.

So after this I'm starting to think doing a century this year is something that is within reach and I might just have to shoot for that next.

Congratulations! That's a milestone, literally.

wow. cool. congrats. i think that will be my new goal :)

Well done, both of you!

Nice job.

I got the chance to ride with Neil_B today and what was a kind of open ended ride turned into a 50 trip to Philadelphia and back. It feels great to have accomplished this and it really came as a surprise. I am really impressed with home much my fitness has improved in the past month and a half since I started riding. I was kind of thinking I'd like to at least hit my previous high which was 30 miles and it would be nice to go a bit past that but I don't think Neil or I had any idea it would turn into 50 miles (a bit more for Neil as he had further to go home, he is looking at a metric century).

I came back 4 lbs lighter than when I left this morning, I'm guessing that is a sign that I probably need to drink more water.

So after this I'm starting to think doing a century this year is something that is within reach and I might just have to shoot for that next.

I finished with 64 miles, the last 8 or so after wfournier left. Steel City Coffeehouse was helpful with refueling and rehydrating the Clyde - the root beer float might be the best recovery foodstuff ever:


http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/269425_2095674323922_1607271639_2035636_2748147_n.jpg

Sorry for the cell phone shot. Photos will be up in the next day or so. I'm too tired now.....

My partner in two wheeled crime is correct. I had no plans to do 64 miles today, or lead wfournier on 50. The only limit was that we avoid gravel and dirt because wfournier rides a road bike. I was expecting to do 20 or 30, but whenever one of us suggested riding further, the other agreed.

BTW, wfournier nearly doubled his previous longest ride, and he's only been riding a couple of months. I think he's moved the bar for Awesome to a higher level.

Congrats!! That's awesome.

Wow... 6 weeks into riding and a half century already. Awesome.

What the hell crawled up on the back of that guys head?!

50 miles? That's awesome.

What the hell crawled up on the back of that guys head?!


That's a chick with a Goth/punk hairstyle. Not uncommon at Steel City. This is NOT like a Starbucks.

http://www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com/


http://www.youtube.com/steelcitycoffeehouse#p/a/u/0/Ct78M1nHjp0

That's a chick with a Goth/punk hairstyle. Not uncommon at Steel City. This is NOT like a Starbucks.

http://www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com/


http://www.youtube.com/steelcitycoffeehouse#p/a/u/0/Ct78M1nHjp0
Chick?! Dammit man - I best stick close to home...

Chick?! Dammit man - I best stick close to home...

My photo didn't do her justice.

My photo didn't do her justice.

Ill take your word for it, if it's all the same. But I bet she's fun to drink coffee with. :)

BTW - the menu at the place looks fekking awesome!

Awesome, congrats on the milestone.

Congrats to all!

...and that coffeehouse looks like a good destination!

Congrats to all!

...and that coffeehouse looks like a good destination!

Thanks, the coffee house works as a better destination when coming from your end of the trail lol.

wfournier on the Cross County Trail, about a third of the way into the ride.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269735_2098548195767_1607271639_2039625_6709015_n.jpg

Near the turn around in Manayunk.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/271125_2098549715805_1607271639_2039636_4068368_n.jpg

Fixing a flat just past the Norristown Transportation Center, about 8 miles from the trail end at Mont Clare.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/281330_2098551075839_1607271639_2039644_743422_n.jpg

The Jamis, complete with Brooks saddle.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/270500_2098552515875_1607271639_2039653_1933353_n.jpg

Getting a replacement tube at Phoenix Cycles on Bridge Street in Phoenixville.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269840_2098553475899_1607271639_2039657_140417_n.jpg

wfournier and I separated here. I spent the next hour at Steel City Coffeehouse:

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/281230_2098553835908_1607271639_2039659_1892358_n.jpg

About five miles from my door. This bridge over French Creek features the pedestrian/bike lane in the middle of the road.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/271020_2098547555751_1607271639_2039623_1527519_n.jpg

Congratz! I did my first half 1.5 months ago, and when I hit the 50 mile mark I was soooooo stoked.

Instead of shooting for a century next, I'd suggest a metric, then maybe 75 miles, then a century.

Congratz! I did my first half 1.5 months ago, and when I hit the 50 mile mark I was soooooo stoked.

Instead of shooting for a century next, I'd suggest a metric, then maybe 75 miles, then a century.

I'm trying to persuade wfournier to ride a century with me Labor Day weekend. He's a pretty strong rider now.... by then he should be unstoppable.

Woot!

Congratz! I did my first half 1.5 months ago, and when I hit the 50 mile mark I was soooooo stoked.

Instead of shooting for a century next, I'd suggest a metric, then maybe 75 miles, then a century.

Well yes I do plan on doing quite a bit more riding first, might even fit that metric in this month we'll see.