Cone Wrench

As everyone in eastern Canada knows, this winter has been endless. There is still plenty of snow around, but the roads are clear and the daytime temperatures are, at last, consistently above freezing. I got out for my first ride Sunday afternoon, cloudy/bright, 5 C (which dictated shoe covers, leg warmers, cold weather jersey, fleece, cycling jacket, gloves, earband, helmet cover), 27 km. Head wind, cross wind out - tail wind, cross wind back.

Well the temps will be climbing in the next few days the the Sunday ride with the bike club I joined this year should be reasonably pleasant except for the fact that it is 75 km. And that's the short ride. The long ride is 90 km. Aaaargh. This year for me that would be a more reasonable distance in mid to late May. Oh well, I think I will stick with the slower group to start with. I've been cycling for about 30 years so I know I will be able to deal with it, but I also know how I will feel at the end of this first ride when I am not in shape.
I guess I will sleep well Sunday night.

gcottay

Enjoy the ride. Maybe drive a car out about 45 km and let the pack catch up?

stapfam

Look---If you are not feeling fit enough by not being able to get training in the winter---How did the others train? Bet there will be a couple in the same position as you.

Cone Wrench

I'm sure there will be others in the same boat, but there is also a hardcore group that has been training at the YMCA all winter. A co-worker of mine who also works at the Y says a bunch of them come in several times a week.
I think the key thing for this ride will be to keep a very moderate pace at the start.

Tom Bombadil

The first thought that comes to my mind when I see the phrase "a ride too far" is when you think you can make a certain distance, but then when you get around half-way out, you know that you don't have it in you on that day. But now you are stuck and have to suck it up to get in.

I cut a couple of rides short last year when I got about 1/4th of the way out and determined that I was going to have a very hard time covering 3X what I had already done.

Cone Wrench

I was out tonight for another 27 km ride at a pretty brisk pace. Felt good when I got home. I'll try to get out one more time before Sunday. I think I will be good for 60 km so maybe only the last 15 will be a misery.

Louis

Yeah, that's not a good feeling when you know it's going to be a tough day. Been there, done that.

You're a veteran cyclist - you'll handle it. Here's wishing you the best of luck.