Trying First Solo Century, Boredom?
08-14-09, 01:28 PM
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Trying First Solo Century, Boredom?
Gonna give a solo century a go on Sunday morning.
Just curious what folks do to alleviate some boredom on long solo rides. I've been against music up to now but I am going to bring my Zune for some of the very lightly traveled roads I have mapped out to see how that goes. Any other tricks?
I'm going to start a 15-20 minutes before civil twilight (around 5:20-5:30) as I made the first 20 miles on roads I know well (I have a P7 flashlight for lighting). It should be interesting.
Route is here if anyone's interested.
Just curious what folks do to alleviate some boredom on long solo rides. I've been against music up to now but I am going to bring my Zune for some of the very lightly traveled roads I have mapped out to see how that goes. Any other tricks?
I'm going to start a 15-20 minutes before civil twilight (around 5:20-5:30) as I made the first 20 miles on roads I know well (I have a P7 flashlight for lighting). It should be interesting.
Route is here if anyone's interested.
Nice Caad9, BTW
08-14-09, 01:38 PM
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i did my 1st half century last weekend. never got bored.
maybe those last few miles finishing the 100 will be boring?
maybe those last few miles finishing the 100 will be boring?
08-14-09, 01:42 PM
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Riding has never been boring for me unless I'm on really boring roads, which I vigorously avoid.
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08-14-09, 01:46 PM
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This is why my longest solo ride has been about 72 miles. I mowed the lawn when I got home, so it wasn't the legs that were done.
08-14-09, 01:47 PM
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Corner of Featherstone and Beacon. Judging from the foliage and lawn that looks to be about 2-3 weeks after snow melt. Definitely not the best representation of my lawn care skills 
Whatcha think of the route? Nason Hill Road by Marine on St. Croix is a notorious, steep local hill. It'll take the wind out of you for a bit.
Whatcha think of the route? Nason Hill Road by Marine on St. Croix is a notorious, steep local hill. It'll take the wind out of you for a bit.
08-14-09, 01:48 PM
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That's funny, mowing the lawn is one of the things I specifically try to do right after I get home from a longer ride, I think it helps with recovery. It's a nice, forced low intensity activity. You?
08-14-09, 01:49 PM
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I have lots of things to think about. My wife tells me exactly what they are every day.
I do remember doing some mental calculations during my last century to figure out approximately how many actual pedal strokes I will have done by the end of the ride...that'll keep you occupied for a few minutes.
If 5-1/2 hours is too long to spend with yourself, maybe you've been hanging out here too long.
I do remember doing some mental calculations during my last century to figure out approximately how many actual pedal strokes I will have done by the end of the ride...that'll keep you occupied for a few minutes.
If 5-1/2 hours is too long to spend with yourself, maybe you've been hanging out here too long.
08-14-09, 01:51 PM
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I have lots of things to think about. My wife tells me exactly what they are every day.
I do remember doing some mental calculations during my last century to figure out approximately how many actual pedal strokes I will have done by the end of the ride...that'll keep you occupied for a few minutes.
If 5-1/2 hours is too long to spend with yourself, maybe you've been hanging out here too long.
I do remember doing some mental calculations during my last century to figure out approximately how many actual pedal strokes I will have done by the end of the ride...that'll keep you occupied for a few minutes.
If 5-1/2 hours is too long to spend with yourself, maybe you've been hanging out here too long.
08-14-09, 02:12 PM
#11
the dream shall never die
The most delightful aspect of a long ride is returning home safely. I just do not get the concept that long rides are boring, so I need to "distract myself", from the boring ride, by buffering my senses from my surroundings.
Other than not wearing a helmet, I cannot think of a worse behavior than drowning my senses with music via earbuds.
Enjoy being in the out-of-doors. Enjoy the healthy exercise. Enjoy your ride, don't buffer yourself from it!
Of course, YMMV!!
Cheers,
Geary
Other than not wearing a helmet, I cannot think of a worse behavior than drowning my senses with music via earbuds.
Enjoy being in the out-of-doors. Enjoy the healthy exercise. Enjoy your ride, don't buffer yourself from it!
Of course, YMMV!!
Cheers,
Geary
08-14-09, 02:14 PM
#12
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I don't understand this idea that there is a connection between cycling and boredom. What do you mean?
On a more serious note, I would strongly encourage you not to listen to music when you ride. You need all your senses all the time.
On a more serious note, I would strongly encourage you not to listen to music when you ride. You need all your senses all the time.
08-14-09, 02:16 PM
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Hills hurt.. Couches kill
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You won't get bored, that's the point of it all ride to ride. If you do by chance get bored pick up the pace to where it hurts too much to think, then you'll be ok. Route looks good by the way.
08-14-09, 02:19 PM
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Do you ever ride 95? I live in downtown Minneapolis, and I've done the ride to Stillwater and back (downtown stillwater's hills are like 20%, just ridiculous), but I want to ride north out onto 95, while driving didn't really pay attention to road conditions but I hear there's both on road bike lane as well as bike path for some distance?
08-14-09, 02:24 PM
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How long do you normally ride? Is the century that much longer than your current "long" rides that you're worried about boredom? Because if it's significantly longer than what you're used to, you may run into issues other than just boredom.
To answer the question, though, I find I don't get bored on long rides. So much to look at and think about.
To answer the question, though, I find I don't get bored on long rides. So much to look at and think about.
08-14-09, 02:33 PM
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Do you ever ride 95? I live in downtown Minneapolis, and I've done the ride to Stillwater and back (downtown stillwater's hills are like 20%, just ridiculous), but I want to ride north out onto 95, while driving didn't really pay attention to road conditions but I hear there's both on road bike lane as well as bike path for some distance?
I'm lucky...three miles from my house and I'm in the middle of all these nice roads. I just wish our topography could provide some longer climbs....but alas...
Never thought about the hills in Stillwater proper...I'll have to jump down there sometime soon.
Shoot me a PM of you ever get out this way...always looking for a ride partner in the evening.
08-14-09, 02:35 PM
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How long do you normally ride? Is the century that much longer than your current "long" rides that you're worried about boredom? Because if it's significantly longer than what you're used to, you may run into issues other than just boredom.
To answer the question, though, I find I don't get bored on long rides. So much to look at and think about.
To answer the question, though, I find I don't get bored on long rides. So much to look at and think about.
I guess I was just looking for ideas if it started to get a little tedious...something to snap the ole' mind back into focus.
08-14-09, 02:36 PM
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I've never even come close to having a problem when responsibly wearing ONE earbud (I'm never drowning out any senses), so I bring music and podcasts with me on long rides. I find (long) podcasts that are engaging pass the time very quickly (like the hour long NPR or half hour How Stuff Works shows); music that I know actually starts to drag me down after like hour 2. I never ever stop along rides unless I really need to for a refill or defill or something, but I know some people will plan in a coffee shop or something halfway; not my cup of tea, but you can if you want. Also, putting your head down an TTing for 5 miles, and then cruising for a few miles just looking at the scenery also helps tick away the miles for me. The end of long rides are also great times to work on things like form and pedaling that usually fall apart when you're tired and it's something else to keep your mind on "circle circle circle circle..."
08-14-09, 02:37 PM
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1800ft ascent over 100 miles = no hills at all. I wish I had been into road biking when I lived in MN.
Anyway, you'll be fine. By like 70 or 80 you'll be wanting to get home, and that will keep you from getting bored.
08-14-09, 02:42 PM
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I ride pretty long distances (100+ miles every Saturday or Sunday) and listen to audio books on my MP3 player. Check out the selection on Audible.com. Getting involved in a book really occupies your thoughts and takes your mind off the tedium. I also only EVER put in a single earbud - which is fine for a book (no stereo issues like in music). Put it in your right ear so your left ear is free to listen for the sound of approaching cars.
Good luck on your solo century!
Good luck on your solo century!
08-14-09, 02:44 PM
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2) I was referring to that one local hill, not the whole ride.
Funny, you probably live in a mountainous area and would love to see some flats...those of us here in the flatland would like to see a real climb on occasion...guess we always want what we don't have
08-14-09, 02:45 PM
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And thanks!
