Did my first metric century today, oh man
09-07-09, 11:26 PM
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Did my first metric century today, oh man
So, I was determined to ride the 100 km today. I did it, but I must admit I felt absolutely ruined by the end, namely:
- Feet: developed hot spots on outer side of balls of feet
- Buttocks: in pretty rough shape... is this what sodomy feels like?
- Shoulders: I've never had pain here before, but today the shoulders killed more than anything. I thought I was getting more flexible and adapting to the geometry, but man alive they're hurting!
I'm elated, but the pain is a bit of a damper. No pain, no gain I guess. I'm thinking I need more saddle time along with a dose of HTFU?
Anyhow, another big question I had was what route does everyone take when they go 160+ km? Do you take the highway? Today I stuck mostly in the city; it was nice getting out to see some sights and not have to deal with traffic lights. I really enjoy cycling, but past 60 km or so I start getting bored unless faced with neat scenery. I covered one end of the city to the other (for the most part) and back and that was nowhere near 100 km.
- Feet: developed hot spots on outer side of balls of feet
- Buttocks: in pretty rough shape... is this what sodomy feels like?
- Shoulders: I've never had pain here before, but today the shoulders killed more than anything. I thought I was getting more flexible and adapting to the geometry, but man alive they're hurting!
I'm elated, but the pain is a bit of a damper. No pain, no gain I guess. I'm thinking I need more saddle time along with a dose of HTFU?
Anyhow, another big question I had was what route does everyone take when they go 160+ km? Do you take the highway? Today I stuck mostly in the city; it was nice getting out to see some sights and not have to deal with traffic lights. I really enjoy cycling, but past 60 km or so I start getting bored unless faced with neat scenery. I covered one end of the city to the other (for the most part) and back and that was nowhere near 100 km.
09-07-09, 11:45 PM
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You can work around some of the pains with good setup. But there'll always be some pain! It gets better, remember this was a first.
I am fortunate - I stay in a stunning part of the world (the Cape winelands in South Africa) and from my house I have 5 mins and I'm out of town and into the open. Lots of scenery, lots of rolling hills, lots of mountains. So terrain varies, routes vary - and it's always something to look at.
Finding a group may also help - both with motivation and commitment. And the group I ride with of late, definately no boredom! Bunch of witty guys and loads of verbal!
But congrats and keep going, it'll get better/easier!
I am fortunate - I stay in a stunning part of the world (the Cape winelands in South Africa) and from my house I have 5 mins and I'm out of town and into the open. Lots of scenery, lots of rolling hills, lots of mountains. So terrain varies, routes vary - and it's always something to look at.
Finding a group may also help - both with motivation and commitment. And the group I ride with of late, definately no boredom! Bunch of witty guys and loads of verbal!
But congrats and keep going, it'll get better/easier!
09-07-09, 11:45 PM
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You need to look at your fit, none of the pains you describe should happen on 100k ride.
Cue comments on 'fred century'.
Cue comments on 'fred century'.
09-08-09, 12:11 AM
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- Feet: developed hot spots on outer side of balls of feet
Could be ill-fitting shoes or the wrong type of cleat. I got hot spots with SPD cleats/pedals. Switched to bigger Look cleats/pedals and it went away.
- Buttocks: in pretty rough shape... is this what sodomy feels like?
Might want to try some chamois butter so you don't rub yourself raw. Could also be a saddle problem.
- Shoulders: I've never had pain here before, but today the shoulders killed more than anything.
Classic symptom of an ill-fitting bicycle. Your weight's either too far forward or the bars may be in the wrong place. Your shoulders should never hurt because they should never carry your weight.
Long rides are great for uncovering all sorts of fit problems.
Could be ill-fitting shoes or the wrong type of cleat. I got hot spots with SPD cleats/pedals. Switched to bigger Look cleats/pedals and it went away.
- Buttocks: in pretty rough shape... is this what sodomy feels like?
Might want to try some chamois butter so you don't rub yourself raw. Could also be a saddle problem.
- Shoulders: I've never had pain here before, but today the shoulders killed more than anything.
Classic symptom of an ill-fitting bicycle. Your weight's either too far forward or the bars may be in the wrong place. Your shoulders should never hurt because they should never carry your weight.
Long rides are great for uncovering all sorts of fit problems.
09-08-09, 03:03 AM
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Feet: move your cleats back a tad
Butt: depending on where exactly you hurt, you might want a slightly wider saddle ... or a different saddle from what you've got. You weren't riding a Specialized saddle were you?
Shoulders: check your fit
https://www.cptips.com/handsyn.htm
https://www.cptips.com/backpn.htm
As for where I ride when I do long rides ... check my website: https://www.machka.net/ Lots and lots of highway riding all over the world, although I have done some city centuries as well ... in Winnipeg ... in the winter.
Oh, and congratulations. Ignore any subsequent responses that are in any way negative toward metric centuries.
Butt: depending on where exactly you hurt, you might want a slightly wider saddle ... or a different saddle from what you've got. You weren't riding a Specialized saddle were you?
Shoulders: check your fit
https://www.cptips.com/handsyn.htm
https://www.cptips.com/backpn.htm
As for where I ride when I do long rides ... check my website: https://www.machka.net/ Lots and lots of highway riding all over the world, although I have done some city centuries as well ... in Winnipeg ... in the winter.
Oh, and congratulations. Ignore any subsequent responses that are in any way negative toward metric centuries.
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09-08-09, 06:27 AM
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Congrats on the ride! That's a great accomplishment.
Regarding the aches and pains - Maybe some fit issues to tweak. What was your prior riding experience like and how big was the jump to the 100 km ride? Could be you took on more than your body was willing to do!
Regarding the aches and pains - Maybe some fit issues to tweak. What was your prior riding experience like and how big was the jump to the 100 km ride? Could be you took on more than your body was willing to do!
09-08-09, 07:01 AM
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Good accomplishment! Yes, it sounds like a bike fitting may be required for you.
See if you can ride a couple of laps through the mall. I am sure that would be 100km. At least it felt like it when my wife dragged me through shopping..
See if you can ride a couple of laps through the mall. I am sure that would be 100km. At least it felt like it when my wife dragged me through shopping..
09-08-09, 07:05 AM
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^^^^^^^^
What he said. It seems as though you have some fit issues, and probably made a bigger jump in distance than you were prepared for.
However, YOU DID IT!
From here, it gets easier. Fix the fit, and know that next time it will hurt less (or you will go further...)
What he said. It seems as though you have some fit issues, and probably made a bigger jump in distance than you were prepared for.
However, YOU DID IT!
From here, it gets easier. Fix the fit, and know that next time it will hurt less (or you will go further...)
09-08-09, 08:02 AM
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I've been riding road bikes for almost 40 years and I've never been as comfortable as I've been in the last 6 months. I've always set up my own bikes, and I think that's why it took so long. As I've gleaned bits and pieces of knowledge things have gotten better and better. (However, I've recently decided to finally try clipless pedals, and I had some really sore feet last weekend after a 40-mile ride. I'm working on that problem. If I have to I'll go back to platform pedals.)
I suggest you go to a good bike shop and talk to one of the older guys about fit. Perhaps in the years he or she has been in the business, he or she has learned all the tips it took me 40 years to learn, and more.
P. S. The best tip I ever got on butt soreness was to try a Brooks B-17. They're not light and they're Fred-ish, but mine is more comfortable for longer than any saddle I've tried (and I've tried at least 10.)
I suggest you go to a good bike shop and talk to one of the older guys about fit. Perhaps in the years he or she has been in the business, he or she has learned all the tips it took me 40 years to learn, and more.
P. S. The best tip I ever got on butt soreness was to try a Brooks B-17. They're not light and they're Fred-ish, but mine is more comfortable for longer than any saddle I've tried (and I've tried at least 10.)
09-08-09, 08:36 AM
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Yay.
I remember when I did my first metric century, I was really proud of myself.
Then I attempted imperial century last weekend. I bonked. I got to about 120km and everything started going wrong. There's always a next time.
I remember when I did my first metric century, I was really proud of myself.
Then I attempted imperial century last weekend. I bonked. I got to about 120km and everything started going wrong. There's always a next time.
09-08-09, 10:19 AM
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Good job on your first metric.
I used to get hotspots on my right foot. I tried messing with the cleats and eventually ended up with new shoes (went from Sidi to Specialized). I now have a permanent callous under the ball of my pinkie toe. You could stab it with a knife and I won't feel a thing.
Try chamois butter. It will help some. I did 100 miles on Saturday, and despite liberally applying the chamois butter before I left, my ass was still a little chafed.
As for the shoulders, it could be fit, or you may not be strong enough in your core yet. My shoulders were hurting by the end of the ride on Saturday and my fit is fine. Nearly six hours on the road just wore me out.
I used to get hotspots on my right foot. I tried messing with the cleats and eventually ended up with new shoes (went from Sidi to Specialized). I now have a permanent callous under the ball of my pinkie toe. You could stab it with a knife and I won't feel a thing.
Try chamois butter. It will help some. I did 100 miles on Saturday, and despite liberally applying the chamois butter before I left, my ass was still a little chafed.
As for the shoulders, it could be fit, or you may not be strong enough in your core yet. My shoulders were hurting by the end of the ride on Saturday and my fit is fine. Nearly six hours on the road just wore me out.
09-11-09, 04:39 PM
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I agree the fit is the main issue. Long rides are the BEST INDICATOR of improper fit. Once you get the nutrition and hydration aspect of the ride figured out- that metric would be almost painless.
Definitely apply chamois lube because constant friction will rub your booty RAW.
Definitely apply chamois lube because constant friction will rub your booty RAW.
09-11-09, 05:57 PM
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I ride to a different town. Usually 2 or 3 if I'm gonna do more than 40 miles. Even that gets boring. It's all farms here. If you've seen one corn stalk you've seen them all.
But riding in the city is worse. Stressful, slow, and there's not enough city to rack up those miles. So, highways it is!
If I stretch myself for distance something always hurts. Seems like a natural thing when you push yourself through fatigue for an hour. Once I'm used to a given mileage I can do it without any significant pain. There's always a little something though. Could be a bit of a rash, a little soreness in a leg, tight back, headache, but something always hurts a little.
But riding in the city is worse. Stressful, slow, and there's not enough city to rack up those miles. So, highways it is!
If I stretch myself for distance something always hurts. Seems like a natural thing when you push yourself through fatigue for an hour. Once I'm used to a given mileage I can do it without any significant pain. There's always a little something though. Could be a bit of a rash, a little soreness in a leg, tight back, headache, but something always hurts a little.
09-11-09, 06:25 PM
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Hey thanks for the suggestions and props everyone 
. Turns out that I was riding on a saddle sore that day and was trying to alleviate the pain by propping myself on my arms, straining my shoulders. That'll teach me to wash my shorts more than once a week haha. Does Lysol count?
Machka: I have a 143 mm Toupe saddle, but my sit bones are 148 mm.
Anyhow, it has been a hard few days being off the bike to let the saddle sore heal up (besides commuting and a milk run). However, this weekend I look forward to doing another 100 km ride. I'll probably stick to some highway (the one connecting Edmonton to Sherwood Park or something). The city is indeed kinda painful at times!
. Turns out that I was riding on a saddle sore that day and was trying to alleviate the pain by propping myself on my arms, straining my shoulders. That'll teach me to wash my shorts more than once a week haha. Does Lysol count?Machka: I have a 143 mm Toupe saddle, but my sit bones are 148 mm.
Anyhow, it has been a hard few days being off the bike to let the saddle sore heal up (besides commuting and a milk run). However, this weekend I look forward to doing another 100 km ride. I'll probably stick to some highway (the one connecting Edmonton to Sherwood Park or something). The city is indeed kinda painful at times!
