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New Longest Ride

Old 08-01-07, 10:28 AM
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New Longest Ride

So I know 12 miles is nothing to most of you, but it's WAY further than I'd gone before. Was typically doing 5-ish mile rides, and previous longest was 7. Here's the route:

https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...ille/669256696

I'm tired, and knee isn't 100% happy, but I feel pretty good! I need to get another water bottle cage, though. I stopped at a convenience store about halfway to get a drink, and subjected myself to a lot of funny looks and open laughter by a couple of rednecks in a dirty old pickup. Who cares, right? But still.. I'd rather not stop, and so not have to "not care."

Total time was about 1:45, but that included 1) stop to put chain back on when it fell off after a bad downshift (EDIT: Slipped off gears, but didn't come all the way off!), 2) stop to fix seat when it tipped back and had me practically sliding off onto my rear wheel (that one took about 20 minutes - accidentally took seatpost all the way apart! then 3) stop for drinks. I'm guessing total saddle time was about 1:15.

There were some flat stretches, which I thought would be easier, but discovered they're just different! What's up with this "you have to keep pedaling" thing?? I'm hoping to do a route like this, but 20-25 miles, by the end of August. Think I can make it?
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Old 08-01-07, 10:34 AM
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That's great Becky! Once I started doing rides 12-15 miles I decided that I needed a second water bottle cage too. I never got laughed at though, because when I would stop for something I stopped at our local natural foods store, and people there tend to be much nicer.

That's a pretty respectable pace too, at least to me. I've really only been able to push my average speed up to around 12 mph on a good day.

As far as thinking you can make a 20-25 mile route; I'm almost positive you'll be able to make it. You'll really be surprised at how fast the mileage will increase as you start riding more and more.
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Old 08-01-07, 10:34 AM
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That is so* great, Becky! I'm impressed with all the fixing you did, too! It is amazing when you hit that 10 mile mark, isn't it. It seemed like such a long way before.

What's funny is that when you start to map out routes that are 15 miles long, you start planning rides that seem like they're really long IN A CAR. You think, "I can't possibly ride my bike there...I don't even shop in that area!"

Flats are fun. What I've found is that it takes a bit of effort to work up some speed, but once you're there, it doesn't really take much more effort to maintain a 14 mph speed as it does an 8 mph speed. In fact, it seems easier in some ways. In fact, once you're cruising, you hate to stop pedaling and slow down. But I can't maintain a cadence for 12 miles!

My ride through the park is a lot of lowish roller coaster hills, and now I consider it my easy ride, because I rarely have to pedal!

Anyway, congratulations. Ice that knee.

Oh, and I take 3* bottles with me for any ride. I'm scared of running out. I'll drink 2 and then fill them up again whenever I get a chance.
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Old 08-01-07, 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeMetal
That's a pretty respectable pace too, at least to me. I've really only been able to push my average speed up to around 12 mph on a good day.
Well, the 20+ mph downhills do help with that! Most of my riding time is 10-12 mph, sometimes 14. I try not to dip below 8-9 going uphill - the momentum is too valuable to lose!

Last edited by BeckyW; 08-01-07 at 10:43 AM. Reason: fix quote
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Old 08-01-07, 10:45 AM
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Great job. You can't get to 25 miles and up without lower mileage rides first. My first ride was 2 miles now I usually do 25 mile evening rides. I use 2 water bottles and a CamelBak when its hot
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Old 08-01-07, 10:53 AM
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Good progress Becky. My wife just started to ride and it took her four separate rides to get to 12 miles total for the 4 rides, with three falls. Apparently have to get her another bike as she insists on what she had as a child 50 years ago. Girls bike with very low step through. When I first ride 10 miles back in June 2005, I took another 2 months before I rode 18 miles and another 3 weeks before I rode 20 miles. Currently my usual ride is a minimum of 20 miles. Average speed still low at 13mph. And thats on a route that is without any "real" hills. I've been getting by with one 27 oz. water bottle.
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Old 08-01-07, 10:55 AM
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Superb Becky.

Let me ask a question. Do you ride alone or do you have somebody to ride with? When I was starting out I found that my longest ride instantly went up significantly when I rode with somebody else. Chatting while riding took mind of the cycling itself. My longest ride went from 6 miles on ride to 24 miles the next. Just an idea.....

And totally don't worry about those rednecks. I can't stand people like that. My thought process when I see things like that is this: I think about how I am doing something to get fit, and they are going home to drink beer and watch Roseanne reruns. Even if I'm fatter, I know I'll be more fit in no time and able to ride a bike further than they could on their best day.
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Old 08-01-07, 10:57 AM
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Just looked at your mapmyride link....that is a pretty hilly area.
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Old 08-01-07, 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by KingTermite
Let me ask a question. Do you ride alone or do you have somebody to ride with? When I was starting out I found that my longest ride instantly went up significantly when I rode with somebody else. Chatting while riding took mind of the cycling itself. My longest ride went from 6 miles on ride to 24 miles the next. Just an idea.....
So far, I ride alone. There's a local group that, according to a local bike forum, gets together a couple times a week for 30-50 mile rides, and I'd love to ride with them, but not yet! Maybe in a couple months...
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Old 08-01-07, 11:34 AM
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Good Job Becky keep up the great work !
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Old 08-01-07, 11:49 AM
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Great job!!! It’s just one foot in front of the other and the next thing you know you’ve done it. Hearing about ride like yours are more exciting than hearing about great rides by trained riders. You decided to do it and you did. I can’t wait to hear about your next adventure, keep us posted
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Old 08-01-07, 11:55 AM
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I absolutely think you can, Beckie! Great job, by the way!

I know the first time I did a 7 mile ride, it felt like I'd just won a stage of the Tour de France, inside! You've made great strides and keep it up!

Don't feel afraid to "take a break" either! By the way, next time you have comments from the redneck gallery, remember, you'll likely get the best revenge of all! You'll outlive them, and they won't get any smarter, but you'll get svelter!
Originally Posted by BeckyW
So I know 12 miles is nothing to most of you, but it's WAY further than I'd gone before. Was typically doing 5-ish mile rides, and previous longest was 7. Here's the route:

https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...ille/669256696

I'm tired, and knee isn't 100% happy, but I feel pretty good! I need to get another water bottle cage, though. I stopped at a convenience store about halfway to get a drink, and subjected myself to a lot of funny looks and open laughter by a couple of rednecks in a dirty old pickup. Who cares, right? But still.. I'd rather not stop, and so not have to "not care."

Total time was about 1:45, but that included 1) stop to put chain back on when it fell off after a bad downshift (EDIT: Slipped off gears, but didn't come all the way off!), 2) stop to fix seat when it tipped back and had me practically sliding off onto my rear wheel (that one took about 20 minutes - accidentally took seatpost all the way apart! then 3) stop for drinks. I'm guessing total saddle time was about 1:15.

There were some flat stretches, which I thought would be easier, but discovered they're just different! What's up with this "you have to keep pedaling" thing?? I'm hoping to do a route like this, but 20-25 miles, by the end of August. Think I can make it?
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Old 08-01-07, 01:04 PM
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Great job! Once I hit 10 miles, it only took me a few weeks to hit 50. then a month or two to do 62.5. I'm mapping out a 100mile ride for September... where does it end?
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Old 08-01-07, 01:10 PM
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There are rednecks in NW Arkansas?

Great work! Now try to do that route twice a week, then three times. Before you know it you'll be looking for a 20 mile route.
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Old 08-01-07, 01:16 PM
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Yes, I think you can make it. You are doing great, we are proud of you. About rednecks in dirty pickups. My grandmother, (who knew a lot) would have said "consider the source" and then she would have gone on about her business. Which sounds pretty much what you did. I'm still working on being able to avoid rising to bait, sometimes even poorly presented bait.
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Old 08-01-07, 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by BeckyW
So far, I ride alone. There's a local group that, according to a local bike forum, gets together a couple times a week for 30-50 mile rides, and I'd love to ride with them, but not yet! Maybe in a couple months...
I would suggest hitting your regional forum from the front page and see if you might find a ride partner near you. It's amazing sometimes how we find people in our same boat within a mile or two who are looking for a ride partner.

That's how one of my two ride partners I used to ride with in FL found me.
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Old 08-01-07, 01:23 PM
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Used to be my normal rides were 5-10 miles, and an epic one was 20-25. Now, I can knock off 15-20 during my lunch hour, and 25 - 30 mile rides on the weekend are just quick spins I do with my 12 year old daughter and are disappointingly short.

My point is this - keep at it. You will be amazed at how soon the seemingly unobtainable will become the commonplace.
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Old 08-01-07, 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by KingTermite
I would suggest hitting your regional forum from the front page and see if you might find a ride partner near you. It's amazing sometimes how we find people in our same boat within a mile or two who are looking for a ride partner.

That's how one of my two ride partners I used to ride with in FL found me.
I've been looking for local people on bikeforums, and not found any... but I posted on a local forum here, and maybe someone will answer...

Maybe I should post in the regional forum here, too. Thanks KT
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Old 08-01-07, 01:30 PM
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PM a fellow named doctor j. He is in Fayetteville and is a very nice fellow, we rode the Queen City Century together. He can hook you up with other locals in the Fayetteville area who also ride a lot.
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Old 08-01-07, 01:45 PM
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Is Dr. J the one who was about 7 feet tall? You should tell him to come over here and keep us company!
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Old 08-01-07, 01:49 PM
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That's the one but he's no clyde, not by a long shot. Let's just keep this place quiet, and long tall skinnny guy free, whaddya say?
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Old 08-01-07, 01:52 PM
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I thought Clydes could be skinny and tall!
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Old 08-01-07, 01:57 PM
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Well, technically I guess you're right. Actually he's posted here a time or two.

And as long as we're getting technical he is doctor j. There is another Dr. J. not the same person.
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Old 08-01-07, 02:01 PM
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Congratulations, Becky! Well done!!

I suspect the jump from 12 to 25 miles will be much easier than the jump from 0 to 12. Take your time, don't overexert yourself, and you can definitely do it.

Oh, and about the knee: glucosamine is your friend (assuming you're not allergic to shellfish).
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Old 08-01-07, 02:06 PM
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Way to go girl!
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