Originally Posted by
a126521
Hi, I'm new to this board and bike on my own about 15 miles (lots of hills) most days. My ride is much shorter than many others but it takes about 1.15 hours to complete and is strenuous to me. I'm 57 but used to run long distances and I'm in excellent shape. Recently I did some longer biking along route 101 in CA, and it was not very difficult. I'm wondering of the longer distance riders are taking easier courses. I don't see how most people could handle 50 to 150 miles of the stuff I ride every day.
Also any views on the best type of bike for this type riding. I use an older hybrid (Kono) which I really like and service regularly but considering an upgrade.
Join Strava, and like me, you'll constantly be amazed at the fitness level of A LOT of people. I'll come back from a 60+ miler with 5,000' of climbing, thinking "I done good", but upload to Strava, and cower in shame at the random people on my FlyBy's that are doing 80+ miles with 8,000' or more of climbing. Usually I'll see at least one 100+ mile rider. And a lot of these are hard efforts, not some soft pedal easy effort. Being in excellent shape doesn't mean you're in excellent cycling shape, or have the same kind of ability as others. I know this first hand!
If you are riding mostly road, and are trying to get better, consider a drop bar road bike. Then you'll get the sickness we all get...upgrade fever!
