Recycle

Every now and again, you have a ride where the miles roll by effortlessly, and you feel like you can go on forever.

It was like that last week when I rode my age on my birthday … 65 mi. At the end of the ride I could maintain the same speeds and cadence as when I started. I felt strong and not the least bit tired, stiff, or sore, and, if darkness hadn’t set in, I believe I could have easily gone on for another 35 miles.

I’ve been looking at why it seemed so effortless to see if there are things that I can duplicate on future long rides. Here's what I came up with so far.

I was very conscious of keeping a cadence in the mid 80s, slightly higher than usual for me. For the most part I cruised along at 14 to 18 mph. Whenever it got the least bit hard to pedal, I downshifted and upped the cadence a bit. Being a solo trip, I didn’t have to change my most comfortable speed and cadence to stay with other riders.

I drank a lot of water, and ate often. There was a half hour break, half a power bar and a few handfuls of gorp at 16 mi. Lunch was 45 mins long with eggs and pancakes at 35 mi, and short 10 min breaks with more power bar and gorp at 45 mi and 55 mi.

Other relevant factors were:

The bike was a Giant Cypress DX, a hybrid with a fairly upright sitting position, 700x40c tires, and platform pedals. It has bar ends and a 22/34/44 set chain rings rather than the stock 28/38/48 set. The trunk bag and handle bar bag had 10-12 lbs. of absolutely essential stuff.

I was wearing a typical cycling getup … cycling shorts, long sleeve jersey, helmet, gloves, UV protection glasses. I used Chamois Butt’r and reapplied it at the 35 mi break.

There were a pair of convertible pants and a fleece top in the trunk bag. The weather turned out perfect, with temps ranging from the low 50s to about 70, and a fairly constant 10-15 mph wind, so I never had to break out the pants or fleece.

The route was roughly ½ on bike trails and ½ on suburban residential and arterial streets. Half the trip was into the wind; half was with the wind. There were a couple of rolling hills, but nothing more challenging than an interstate overpass or two. Other road traffic treated me well, with no notable close passes.

Sixty Fiver

Congatulations !!!

65 miles is a good distance for anyone and I had planned on riding my age this year but figure that 42 miles isn't nearly far enough unless there happens to be snow.

Old Hammer Boy

Oh no, another interloper...

Sixty Fiver

You have to give kudos where kudos are due...

stapfam

Some days- everything works and away you go. Todays ride and I was not feeling great at the start and planned on a 25 miler. Felt a bit better after a coffee and it got upped to 40. Thanks to still feeling a bit off- did not take in any hills and kept to the flat bits- but did more miles than I expected. Couple of weeks ago and Just went out for a ride- weather good and it was only when I headed home that I found a headwind. 80 odd miles with the last 35 a bit hard and I enjoyed it.

Now to plan a day and do the age ride on that day- takes some guts. Anything could have gone wrong. strong headwind- too cold- rain or not feeling right. After all- its not your birthday every week- so well done and apreciate the Luck. Just hope I get the same luck in January.

Louis

Well done Recycle, and happy birthday.

RoMad

Way to go, sounds like a great ride. And happy birthday.

TruF 

Happy 65th birthday, Recycle! And congratulations on a wonderful ride. Sounds like a perfect way to spend your birthday.

soma5

Good for you! It's a great way to spend a birthday! Congratulations!

-soma5

DnvrFox

Congratulations. Your proving that we 65+'rs can still hang in there. Good stuff.

cranky old dude

Great ride. Congratulations.

cyclinfool

First let me say - GOOD JOB!
Now to the 65'er comment. I knew a gent in his mid 60's some 12 years back - a quiet brit. We road club rides. The rides were fast. I could not keep up with the hammer heads. This gent would start out slow, typically before the first rest stop he would pass me - but not fast, we usually talked a bit. He told me he use to be a racer, would do 200Km time trials. After we talked a bit he slowly pulled away I would draft him a bit as long as I could (I was in my late 30s) he kept his steady pace. From what I understand his car was always the first out of the lot. I only figure he never needed the rest stop and the fast pace-line never caught him once he motored on. Never under estimate the power and wisdom of age

doctor j

Congratulations, Recycle, on completing the birthday ride. And more congratulations for finishing strong! Well done.

Louis

Well, I've got one third of it, at least. Age.

BluesDawg

Way to go!

Beverly

Nice ride!

Recycle

Thank you, all, for the birthday wishes and compliments.