Redhouse

I feel that! There's so many stories of personal victories around this forum, that it's just awesome! Keep up the good work, as the weeks go passing by and you pick up more miles, you just feel awesome and your body and soul thank you for it.

JoeMetal

And let me know too, so I can come up and ride.

Sandwarrior

Have you thought of getting a camelback for your rides? When I rode my DF, I carried a backback (the same one pictured on the back of my bent now)that had a 100oz, envelope. If I went for more than 50 Miles (and YOU will be here some day soon Becky), I could always throw a second envelope in it. I find them far more convenient that a water bottle.

Sandwarrior

Oh, and if you ever come to Denver, Pat and I will be happy to host you here too. I have some exceptional trails to ride.

BeckyW

I just ordered one, when Nashbar had them on sale the other day! Really looking forward to having it, as I'm not quite coordinated enough to grab my water bottle and drink while riding - I have to stop.

wayne pattee

You Go Girl
I used to live in the Ft. Smith area years ago and I don't remember many flat places. Good Luck

JoeMetal

I just bought a Camelbak from the same Nashbar sale. Along with a new jersey and some panniers.

I imagine the Camelbak will come in handy on the really long rides. I would say I'll let you know how it goes, but at this rate, you'll be there before me!

Wogster

Why limit yourself, there is some great riding, up here in Canada as well, if you and your bike, ever end up here in Toronto, let me know, although you gotta love heat to ride in the summer it hit 34℃ (93℉) with a humidex of 38C/100F at 4:00PM today. Not sure if that's hotter then Hell (which is in Michigan, by the way), or not, but I cancelled two rides this week due to excessive humidex readings (when it's over 35C I tend to find it too hard to breath, stay hydrated, and properly cooled -- so I cancelled yesterday and today), plan on trying to ride early tomorrow morning......

One thing to keep in mind, the heat index or humidex is more important then temperature if it's higher then the temperature. Humidity reduces the opportunity for sweat to evaporate, which can allow you to overheat, even when the temperature isn't that warm.

jaxgtr

Good job Becky. Keep up the great work

gunslinger14647

Becky,

Good for You!! And to hell with the fat red necks. I think you'll be surprised how quickly mileage increases. I just started from scratch on July 1st of this year, and yesterday I completed a 26 mile ride at almost 16 MPH. I did drain two water bottles though, so I know how you feel. Keep it up!

Gunslinger14647

SEARHC GUY

This isn't my longest ride, but it's probably the most intense because of the weather and conditions. I'm sure some of you have heard about the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska, but not many people know there are mountain bike races along the trail during the winter, too. I used to be a sports reporter/editor for several years, and I'd take my bike to the races and ride parts of the course to get a feel for what the racers were going through.

Anyway, there used to be a race called the Iditasport Extreme (this race no longer exists, but there are new ones along the same course) that attracted an international field. The course was all trail from Knik to McGrath, a distance of about 350 miles (no road, impassable by bike in the summer because of the muskeg swamps, serious backcountry here). Since the race took place in the dead of winter, and there were a lot of folks that weren't from Alaska in the race, the organizers started the event in the afternoon and had the racers ride about 20-25 miles up the trail to a campsite along the Big Susitna River, where the racers would set up camp for the night. Some of the racers set up tents, but a few just rolled out their sleeping bags on top of a tarp and slept in the open.

I showed up at the start of the race, interviewed a few racers and took photos. I always enjoyed seeing the Spaniards and Italians who showed up with all the newest techno-weenie stuff and even their own film crews, because I knew most of them wouldn't finish the race. It had just snowed before the race start, so several of the racers had to get off their bikes and push them across Knik Lake because they couldn't get any traction. After getting my race start photos, I repacked my cameras into my backpack, popped open the back of my truck to grab my bike, and I started following the racers on the trail. It's gotta be demoralizing to these racers when they're getting passed by a 300-pound asthmatic on a tank of a beater mountain bike, a guy who's wearing Dockers, a rugby shirt and tennis shoes, and carrying a 50-pound pack full of camera gear, extra jackets, etc. I beat several of the foreign racers to the overnight camping trip, got a few pictures of the camp sites and a few more interviews, then headed back to my car after a couple of hours. My only problems on the way back were avoiding a moose on the trail, and having to walk my bike the last five miles because I went over a snow-covered stump and broke my bottom bracket. By the way, it was about 20 degrees below zero (about the same in Fahrenheit and Celsius) out on the river.

b_young

Good Job!!! Just to let everyone know, NW Arkansas is one big hill anywhere you go. I don't think you could find a flat road over a half mile long. Keep up the work. Its a little late, but if you get this the Tour de Oink is tomorrow in Morilton. We will be doing the 14 mile at a slow pace. Half way through is a rest stop with snacks which is at Blackwell so if you aren't feeling to good you can get a beer.

Keep up the work.

Neil_B

When I come I'll stay at a motel. We'll argue five minutes after I arrive. -)

Neil_B

Becky, when you realized that you could take charge of your weight, didn't you feel an enormous burden being lifted from your shoulders? If you didn't, you soon will. The mantle of fat thinking that's cloaked you for so long will lift when you realize that losing weight is entirely your responsibility. It's entirely up to you to change things.

I know precisely when it happened to me. It was January 8, 2006, in the evening. I read the postings of "Matty" on the alt.support.diet newsgroup. "Matty" went from 500+ pounds to 280 just from diet and exercise. I was so excited to come across an example of someone losing the weight and ENJOYING it, that I looked up all his newsgroup posts. I lost 25 pounds that month, and exercise became my friend. So did responsibility for my obesity.

JeeperTim

I did the opposite of a longest ride today. I rode about 4 miles.

I had 3 flats, and one of my son's had a flat too. I finally gave up and walked back 4 miles. The tube was ripping and the patches just would not keep it together. So - bought 3 new tubes - one for each bike and a spare to haul.... and a new strip for my wheel to keep the spokes from messing with the tube again. It was super hot today, and walking sucks way more than riding a bike in hot weather. For one thing, the bugs can keep up.

So a patch kit is nice..... but sometimes you just need a spare tube.
I really wanted to do 20 miles today with the kids, pretty bummed about not getting it done. Maybe tomorrow will go better.

Tom Stormcrowe

And what's wrong with a good argument.....?

There would have to be rules though! No eye gouging, no biting, no punches below the belt.....

Neil_B

Tom, with the loose skin we both have, a punch below the belt is inadvisable. The puncher might never get his hand back.

Tom Stormcrowe