adrien

All --

For some time now, I've been thinking of recording my story here, prompted by others. It's certainly not nearly as impressive as many others, but I have made a life change and I'm pleased with it. But rather than focus on me, I figured I'd wrap it up in a ride, from last weekend.

I started riding again when my daughter was 10 months old. That was 8 years ago. We got MTBs and I got a trailer for her, and it was a nice way to toodle around, have a picnic, etc. We live in a great area for that (Alexandria, VA). And, while it was a fine ride around for my wife, I was bitten. When I started, I was 240-250. I'm 6'3.

I moved through a cross bike (Kona JTS), a lugged steel road bike (Kona Kapu, soon to leave the stable), and trials and tribulations with wheels and bike commuting. When we redid our mud room we built a section for hanging bikes. And for my 40th, I put myself on a wait list for a dream build -- hand-made, lugged custom bike with custom paint and all the do-dads I wanted. As an aside, if you are considering this and can afford it -- do it. My only regret is not doing it sooner.

The custom bike led me further afield to find the right mechanic to work the hubs (King r45s), and I fell in with a local shop that has a lot of high-end carbon bikes and regular rides. They deal in BMC, Look, Merckx, Parlee and IF. Interestingly, they have been very supportive and complementary of my steel rides. Group rides with them have pushed me hard, from a bad C rider to a solid B. I still can't keep up. But they are great guys and always wait.

So last weekend, I did something I never expected: 117 mile ride with 7,000 feet of climbing. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/213987...te&mode=manual

It was a great, great ride. Longest I've been this early in the year. Gorgeous early spring day, plenty of drafting and lots of them waiting a few minutes for me, cheering me on. Photos below. I'm the big guy on the dark grey steel bike second from right, and the one crossing the road.

I'm now 205, and I feel better than ever before. I've got plenty of folks to ride with, and we are planning a fixed century later this year. To those who come here looking to make a life change and get into a great sport: you can do it, it is a wonderful way to get healthy, and, if you're anything like me, it helps with psychological health and stress as well.

Thanks for reading. If anyone is in the area and wants to ride, PM me!

vesteroid

thats really cool. I use to live in richmond but never rode up your way. Spent plenty of time up there working, but never rode. Looks like a great ride. Congrats.

nymtber

8,886 calories? I'm hoping thats a bit...generous. I dont think I could eat 10,000 calories in a day (gotta add what your body needs anyway).

Awesome though! I'll be ecstatic when I reach 50 in one day... (I'm capable its a matter of doing it).

TrojanHorse

Just out of curiousity, how much did your garmin say you climbed? RWGPS seems to overstate rolling hills.

Congratulations, that's a terrific ride!

adrien

Calorie read was likely a wee bit off -- it's a 605, and they are notorious for overestimating. That said, ride was 6 hours, with a lot of vertical, and the speed was high (for me). My guess is 5,000-6,000 true calories.

As for vertical, Garmin reports 8,199. That includes getting from home to the shop and back (the 16 miles added to the 100). As far as I can tell, that's pretty accurate.

Thanks for the support guys -- ride was great fun.

Dad 2 3

Awesome ride, and thank you for the inspiration.

IBOHUNT

Congrats. Awesome ride.
You going to do the CASA Century in May out of Shepherdstown WV?

Slowhead

Great story, thanks for sharing.
Nice bike, you earned it.

adrien

Hadn't looked at the CASA, but it looks great. You going?

JimF22003

I recommend the CASA ride. Challenging, but not insane. Beautiful country. It circles back to the start for the 2nd half so it requires some mental fortitude to get back on the bike

I think three or four of us that I know of will be there.

adrien

Cool -- PM me if you're confirmed; I'm seeing who might be up for it and may well go.

BTW, I checked my records. I did an easy century with 2,000 feet of vertical in 2009. Average speed was 14.2. So to pull off this ride on a windy day at 15.3 means I'm getting stronger!