A big deal for me
09-04-08, 09:19 PM
#1
King of Dorkistan
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A big deal for me
So, you geezers who ride your age, or, especially you century riders, just ignore this.
I rode home from a late night University class last night. It was about 15 miles in the dark -- mostly paved but unlit trail, but some road -- an hour and 15 minutes. (Plus I am riding an 8 mile round trip to my new p/t job.)
A few years ago, I was doing 12 to 15 mile rides almost every night, and then 20-25 miles on weekends. I had to quit for a while due to some lung problems. I've just been getting back to riding the 12 mile rides -- which are a lot of uphill at 5,000 to 6,000 above sea level, but some flat trail rides.
Anyway, this was a first step for me in moving toward total commuting. I could have driven, but I didn't. I've really been striving for that car-free lifestyle. I even ride the Huffy down the hill to the grocery store now.
I rode home from a late night University class last night. It was about 15 miles in the dark -- mostly paved but unlit trail, but some road -- an hour and 15 minutes. (Plus I am riding an 8 mile round trip to my new p/t job.)
A few years ago, I was doing 12 to 15 mile rides almost every night, and then 20-25 miles on weekends. I had to quit for a while due to some lung problems. I've just been getting back to riding the 12 mile rides -- which are a lot of uphill at 5,000 to 6,000 above sea level, but some flat trail rides.
Anyway, this was a first step for me in moving toward total commuting. I could have driven, but I didn't. I've really been striving for that car-free lifestyle. I even ride the Huffy down the hill to the grocery store now.
09-04-08, 09:26 PM
#2
Don't mince words
Despite the distances I ride, I refuse to ignore a post wherein the poster has a new personal best. Good news needs to be celebrated.
Congrats!
I hope this is the first of many commutes for you.
Keep up the improvement.
Congrats!
I hope this is the first of many commutes for you. Keep up the improvement.
09-04-08, 09:33 PM
#3
His Brain is Gone!
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Good Show!
Was this using your recovered bike?
Was this using your recovered bike?
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"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
09-04-08, 10:22 PM
#5
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Good Job. I am not trying to become car free but I do use my bike more than my car. If I could just get my wife involved life would be sweet. A twelve-mile commute is just about perfect. Not so far as to get you too tired and just right to get your blood going on the way home.
09-04-08, 11:58 PM
#6
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I'm one of those geezers mentioned in your post. But (and?) I LOVE hearing about others' cycling accomplishments. Good going. You'll be a geezer, too, if you want to.
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Truth is stranger than reality.
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09-05-08, 12:12 AM
#7
Senior Member
Another geezer here who says 'good for you.' Last year 12-15 miles was a long ride for me; this year I did a 100k--not fast, but I did it. Keep on bikin'.
09-05-08, 12:44 AM
#9
Senior Member
All personal bests are worth celebrating; congrats.
Once I started riding again I then set my goal on commuting -- I'm finding commuting is great conditioning. Something about riding 2x per day really feels like I'm getting a workout (or maybe it's the huge stack of stuff I drag w/me on my bike...).
Once I started riding again I then set my goal on commuting -- I'm finding commuting is great conditioning. Something about riding 2x per day really feels like I'm getting a workout (or maybe it's the huge stack of stuff I drag w/me on my bike...).
09-05-08, 07:57 AM
#10
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09-05-08, 10:37 AM
#12
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09-05-08, 10:44 AM
#13
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I too celebrate your victory. Every step towards independence from the
automobile is a major one. It's great to live close enough to one destinations
to have the option of using the bike as alternate transportation.
Happy Trails
automobile is a major one. It's great to live close enough to one destinations
to have the option of using the bike as alternate transportation.
Happy Trails
09-05-08, 11:22 AM
#14
Time for a change.
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Last year I did a posting to try and point out that Distance riding is not easy. It takes practice and a bit of training to do it.
https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/299032-warning-1st-distance-ride.html
Now what I cannot do is Commute to work. 30 mile one way trip is just a bit too far- but the other side is- Would I have the guts to commute every day if it was a sensible distance such as you have.
So from some of us that might do a few more miles than you in a week- or may have a few more cycling behind us- Keep it up. Before long you will find that the metric that is organised locally next year is worth a try- but with the attitude you have now- You won't need any training to do it.
https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/299032-warning-1st-distance-ride.html
Now what I cannot do is Commute to work. 30 mile one way trip is just a bit too far- but the other side is- Would I have the guts to commute every day if it was a sensible distance such as you have.
So from some of us that might do a few more miles than you in a week- or may have a few more cycling behind us- Keep it up. Before long you will find that the metric that is organised locally next year is worth a try- but with the attitude you have now- You won't need any training to do it.
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09-05-08, 08:46 PM
#15
just keep riding
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Although you asked me to ignore this, congratulations. Keep it up.
09-09-08, 10:42 PM
#16
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Thanks for the Kudos, folks. It's much appreciated!
(Now I just need to remember to bring the battery for my helmet light)
(Now I just need to remember to bring the battery for my helmet light)
09-09-08, 10:45 PM
#17
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I'm not one of the geezers here 
and I haven't ridden a century yet -- but here's a big high five to you!!! It must feel great in more than one way.
and I haven't ridden a century yet -- but here's a big high five to you!!! It must feel great in more than one way.
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09-09-08, 10:59 PM
#18
Prefers Cicero
Congrats on the ride. My only concern is the safety of an unlit trail - I assume it's deserted. Any chance of bandits lurking? I have the luxury of riding on residential streets at night so hopefully the "eyes on the street" offer me some security.
09-10-08, 04:32 AM
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Congratulations on the ride. Anytime that you achieve a personal first/best it needs to be recognized. Well done.
09-10-08, 06:45 AM
#20
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Working toward being car free is fantastic. I'm hoping after I retire I can work toward putting more miles on the bike and less on the van.
If you're riding at night be sure the bike has enough lights for others to see you. Even on the trails it's a good idea.
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Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
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09-10-08, 06:21 PM
#21
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congratulations I just started back riding 6 weeks ago I started a 5 mi.It feels great when I increase my distance.
