indeedies

After being out of the saddle for about four years I decided to finally hop back on the bike and get back into it. I used to be in pretty decent shape and was riding with the fast group and keeping pace but never pulling or attacking. Then my wife and I moved, I got a new job and the bike found it's way into the garage next the treadmill, weights and other misc stuff I've collected.

I was worried I it would take me months to get back in the groove of it. The pedal stroke, the cadence, knowing the gears, when to eat, when to rest etc etc. But just like it says, riding a bike is just like riding a bike. It all comes back and it comes back fast. Story below (no need to read, just some ramblings)

Two weeks ago I came to Biloxi MS for a three month class for another job and brought my bike along with me. I drove out to a nice area about 20 min north that had some nice flat roads and was void of traffic and was determined to ride 30 miles. That was the most painful thing I've ever done. Everything I did was wrong. I didn't hydrate the day before, started too early with no food in my stomach, didn't bring any food for the ride and only had about 40 oz of water. I averaged 13 mph and 20 miles in I had stopped sweating and was simply trying to stay alive.

I eventually made it back to the safety of my hotel room and thought back on all the mistakes I made and told myself I'll try again the next day. The rest of the day I drank a ton of water, ate super healthy, got a good nights sleep and went back out the next day. This time I was prepared. First step, check the tire pressure. The day before I rode 30 miles on tires that were filled at 65 psi!! I rode the same route and averaged 16.2 mph. The addiction has been re-aggravated!

Since then I've ridden everyday except for three rest days, have totaled just over 220 miles, rode in a metric century last weekend (was able to keep up with a solid pace line and got it under 3 hr 20 min, and today rode through some pretty heavy rain to complete a 40 mile torture fest in 2 hr 10 min (avg speed 18.4).

I couldn't be happier to be back on the bike and will be starting some serious training on Monday (my Training Bible comes in tomorrow and I want to ride a century this weekend). I'm glad I got over the nervousness and fear of failure and can't wait to head back to Colorado Springs and test my legs in the thin mountain air and see if I can still climb like I used to.

KevinF

Welcome back. :-)

StanSeven

Good story. You must stay in decent shape to bounce back like that.

Oh and next time don't let silly things like a new job mess with riding.

Northwestrider

Yes it's a kick almost every time, good luck with your century.

indeedies

Northwest, I used to ride over there for quite some time. The Five Mile Loop was my all time favorite ride then cross the bridge and ride around the smooth rides of Gig Harbor. Still miss it.

And thanks for the wishes!

indeedies

I had been running, rock climbing and hitting the gym every once in a while. I consider myself pretty fortunate that I've been able to do what I've done thus far. I'm hoping that I can do a road race when I get back to Colorado in August and that's what I'll be training for. First step is finding one that isn't so freaking expensive!

Velo Vol 

Sounds like you worry too much.