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Old 04-07-17 | 02:51 PM
  #77  
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noglider
aka Tom Reingold
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,305
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

I can't possibly remember enough rides to rate and rank them against each other. A couple of summers ago, I did a solo century ride which was actually 96 miles. I had various challenges.

I didn't want to use turn-by-turn navigation, so I made a route with google maps the night before. But I didn't have a printer, so I wrote them out by hand. I lost one of my cue sheets, so I did use turn by turn for a few periods necessitated also by getting lost.

My rear derailleur (9 speeds) failed so I jury rigged it into a middle cog and had a three speed bike after about mile 35. Then I hit a big hill called Hosner Mountain (in Duchess County, NY). I made it up without stopping. It involved pedalling really slowly, and I think balance was my savior, not strength. It was almost like track standing.

I wasn't in proper shape, so the toll on my back and shoulders was tough. By the time I got to my destination, it was hard to pedal, and after getting off the bike, it was hard to walk or do anything. But I made it. Now I'm doing a lot of exercise, building up my upper body and getting more limber. I'm also doing more miles per year. I expect to do a lot better this year.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

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