mncyclist

When I started cycling this year after not doing much for the last many years, my goal for the year was to be able to ride 30 miles. I know that's not much to some of the more seasoned cyclists but it seemed like it was a lofty goal but attainable. Well, yesterday I rode to my parents house to meet up with my wife so that was 21 miles. This morning I had a plan to ride with a buddy and do 30 miles. I was a little nervous since I've never done two rides back to back that were close to that far. Well, I did it. It wasn't easy, and I'm not talking about the riding. We had a heck of a time finding 30 miles in the route we were on. We ended up going down a road and turning around then going past my house for a couple miles and turning around then when I got back to my house I was going to be 1/4 mile short so I had to go down a cul de sac to make up the quarter mile. I made it to my driveway and I was .03 short so I had to ride up and down my driveway a couple times to make the complete 30 miles. It was a hassle but I didn't want to be short of my goal.

My new goal is a metric century. I think I'll find a different route that's easier to add miles on. Thanks for all the motivation everyone!

trippn1

That is great to hear....I plan on riding with a group for the first time on 8/16....they have one group that is going 75-80 miles...not the group I'll be with...lol.....The second group is doing 30-40 miles with some breaks, when needed....and they try to keep everyone together....That will be my group.....I have only gone 24 miles at this point, so hitting 30+ will be a new milestone......Keep up the good work and I hope to keep up with you on my quest to hit that 100k ride in Nov...woohoo

mncyclist

Thanks Trippn1, I haven't gone on any group rides yet. I either ride solo or with a friend who got me into cycling. I don't think I'll be doing any 100k in November as I live in the ice hole but I hope to be riding some then yet.

77midget

congrats on the milestone! I hear ya on the back to back, but I find that once you get going on the 2nd day, and loosen up, it is business as normal. I just got back from vaca, and did, on consecutive days, 26,22,and 32 miles, by far the most amount of back to back to back for me thus far. I was concerned going into the 3rd day, and it was the hardest ride, but the most rewarding as well.

I laughed at your mile padding at the end-I have done that as well, even on short rides. Yesterday, I wanted to stretch my 5 mile RT coffee run to 8 miles, and was 7.95 when I got to my driveway, so I looped the cul de sac a couple times.

It's the small victories

OldCruiser

Congrats ; I did 25.5( my longest thus far)this week and had to keep extending my route to get the distance . I included some nice hills along the way , that usually kick my butt. It feels good to set goals and meet them. kirby

wranglerguy

Congrats! It's a good feeling, isn't it? I rode my 1st 30 miler this weekend as well. And I do the culdesac thing as well. My next goal is a 40 mile charity ride.

lunchbox1972

Great job!

epcolt

feels good to set a goal and hit it. Keep up the good work

andrelam

Congratulations. Its amazing how ones perspective changes after a few longer rides. When I started 30 miles seemed like such a long time. Now the real fun starts... The way I look at it cycling is a good kind of addition.

Happy riding,
André

Joe Bifulco

Congrats. Keep it going and you will have that metric century in no time.

scrapmetal

Congrats, keep it up. I started very similar way, my first biking round was like 2 miles

mncyclist

Thanks Everyone! That's why I joined this forum. The support here is fantastic.

Thanks again

Missbumble 

Woo Hoo great job..... I too rode around a parking lot the other day to finish up a ride! Needed to see the mileage hit the next increment.

foxtrot603

Great job!

I recently decided to get *back* into biking (once you get that drivers license, it seems the bike fades into memory). One of my goals was to commute occassionally to work using the 2 wheeled beast (what my boss call my bike). Today was the 2nd time! I cannot wait until I break the 20 mile in one ride goal. This mornings ride in was only 6 miles, but I am planning a circuitous route back home so I can drop off my ride at the LBS for the 1 month/break-in tune up which will be about 10 miles!

All of the stories here are inspiring and the more I visit and contribute, the more psyched I am getting about biking everywhere!

Big Steve Smith

.... Keep at it. The grim reaper can't get you if you keep moving! all the best, Big Steve

puckpack

Thanks for the motivation mncyclist! I just joined the forum after getting the bug to get out and bike after a many year hiatus. I traded in the Stumpjumper for more of a road bike and have been getting out a few times a week. Hopefully we will have a nice fall and I can reach some my goals before the ice is out.

Where do you ride? I am in Lakeville/Farmington and trying to find nice rides.

Sean

mncyclist

Hey Sean, I'm from Hutchinson. It's about 70 miles or so west of you. I don't think I would be much help with places to ride for you. It feels good to get back on the bike and get out on the road doesn't it! I'm really enjoying it.

Thanks for the comments.