My longest ever ride report
10-13-09, 06:07 PM
#1
NW Georgia Mountains
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My longest ever ride report
My wife and I have been camping in the Smoky Mountains multiple times per year for many years. I have been cycling for the last 5 of those years. Every time for the last 3 years, I have had the burning urge to ride my bike up there. The distance from my house is 116 miles. I used TOPO USA and the climbing amount for the route I chose was 8841 feet. Well, this year, I couldn't think of a reason not to try it. I've done a few centuries but they have always been well supported and flat. This ride was just me against the road. I couldn't wait.
Let me lay down some history here.... I am type 2 Diabetic and am now insulin dependant. This adds an extra level of danger in pursuing a feat such as this. Still, I knew that I must keep myself fed and hydrated in order to pull it off. I had alotted 10 -1/2 hours for the ride and this was to include 2 meal stops and 7 ten minute breaks. I only set a goal of 14 miles per hour. Yes, it's conservative but I've never tackled an endeavor like this. alone.
Last Friday dawned with every cyclist's dream..... a tailwind! I rolled out at 7:30 AM and I was feeling good. At mile 13, I made my turn to the north and had a 14.7 AVG. Then that glorious tailwind started moving me along and off I went. At mile 90, I was still feeling great and made my turn out of the tailwind. I was beginning to fatigue and knew that the bulk of my climbing lay ahead. At mile 96 it started to rain. At mile 100, it was a flat out storm and I was beginning to cramp. At mile 101, I flatted!. Still, I limped onward and I arrived at my destination.... the Great Smoky Mountains Park boundry! I was pumped!!!!
Total Distance: 116.12 miles
Total Time: 8 Hours 50 minutes
Pedaling Time: 6 Hours 52 minutes
Avg Speed 16.2!!!
What a great experience!!!!
Let me lay down some history here.... I am type 2 Diabetic and am now insulin dependant. This adds an extra level of danger in pursuing a feat such as this. Still, I knew that I must keep myself fed and hydrated in order to pull it off. I had alotted 10 -1/2 hours for the ride and this was to include 2 meal stops and 7 ten minute breaks. I only set a goal of 14 miles per hour. Yes, it's conservative but I've never tackled an endeavor like this. alone.
Last Friday dawned with every cyclist's dream..... a tailwind! I rolled out at 7:30 AM and I was feeling good. At mile 13, I made my turn to the north and had a 14.7 AVG. Then that glorious tailwind started moving me along and off I went. At mile 90, I was still feeling great and made my turn out of the tailwind. I was beginning to fatigue and knew that the bulk of my climbing lay ahead. At mile 96 it started to rain. At mile 100, it was a flat out storm and I was beginning to cramp. At mile 101, I flatted!. Still, I limped onward and I arrived at my destination.... the Great Smoky Mountains Park boundry! I was pumped!!!!
Total Distance: 116.12 miles
Total Time: 8 Hours 50 minutes
Pedaling Time: 6 Hours 52 minutes
Avg Speed 16.2!!!
What a great experience!!!!
Last edited by On Your Right; 10-13-09 at 06:08 PM. Reason: Hit send too soon
10-13-09, 06:13 PM
#2
Peloton Shelter Dog
Make the next ride shorter.
Sweet mother of lithium, that's almost beyond the battery life specs of an iPod shuffle. The very thought of doing hour 10 with no tunes is more than I can bear.
Sweet mother of lithium, that's almost beyond the battery life specs of an iPod shuffle. The very thought of doing hour 10 with no tunes is more than I can bear.
10-13-09, 06:14 PM
#3
lungbuster
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10-14-09, 07:42 PM
#4
NW Georgia Mountains
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Miles 25 - 39 were on a very narrow and busy 2 lane highway with high truck traffic and 25% of vehicles towing campers. It was pretty intense, but on mile 40 - 90 I had a 12' wide bike lane and a tailwind.....SWEEEEEET!
10-15-09, 07:58 AM
#12
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Awesome. You should visit here: https://www.bikeforums.net/long-distance-competition-ultracycling-randonneuring-endurance-cycling/
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
10-15-09, 08:20 AM
#13
Lost
good work. sounds like you planned out your adventure well and achieved your goal, well done!
10-15-09, 08:27 AM
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Congratulations! Good to see you didn't cave when adversity hit. You would have kicked yourself the next morning had you given up.
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10-15-09, 08:40 AM
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Sounds like a lot of fun, except miles 25-39. Reminds me of a very unpleasant stretch on a training ride I did earlier this year -- about 20 miles, all downhill, in steady rain with a slim shoulder and campers/RVs giving me no respect. It can be scary. Glad to hear you made it safely.
10-15-09, 09:04 AM
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Longest Ever Ride Report?
At only 4 paragraphs, I'm sure you go on much longer.
At only 4 paragraphs, I'm sure you go on much longer.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
10-15-09, 03:44 PM
#19
NW Georgia Mountains
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10-15-09, 03:55 PM
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Are you with me
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great ride report, and congratulations on this accomplishment. Re: lack of music, I'm guessing you didn't care. Most likely plenty of gorgeous scenery.
cheers
cheers
10-15-09, 04:04 PM
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Well done. This is like non diabetics riding 200 miles.
10-15-09, 04:14 PM
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very well done what a great achievement anda killer of a ride .
i generally am dead after 60 miles at 26MPH no stops, my max is 30MPh and a little over 60 miles -
no where near others here , but for me i feel like GOD in the clouds ..next year if i dont work too much ill train a lot more -
i generally am dead after 60 miles at 26MPH no stops, my max is 30MPh and a little over 60 miles -
no where near others here , but for me i feel like GOD in the clouds ..next year if i dont work too much ill train a lot more -
10-15-09, 04:48 PM
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Hills hurt.. Couches kill
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10-15-09, 08:06 PM
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Well done. I have been a type 1 diabetic for 35 years and now use an insulin pump. Best thing I ever did. Regulating my insulin delivery with the pump while riding has been a dream. I have not tackled that long of a ride but have gone 60+ miles by myself many times. Just take the needed food with you and you should be OK. Being a diabetic does not mean there is any more stress on your body than a non diabetic. We just have to plan it out better and not get caught with no food and miles from home. I have cut it close a few times but always been OK. I also carry my phone just in case. Next year I'd like to try a 100 mile ride.
10-15-09, 09:17 PM
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