Yesterday I entered into a "NEW" phase of my cycling experience. Link to that is

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...me-out-of-this.

As some of you may know- My cycling has taken a knock for the last 6 months and I have struggled to get out the door with the bike on what I could call a sensible ride. One with a bit of effort and that would get the Cardio-Vascular side working and put a bit of strength back into the body. Most I have been able to manage has been a few 20 milers and possibly a slope if I were feeling fine. Not enough to keep the fitness I did have and definitely not enough to keep the legs and lungs up to strength. It even started to get to the next stage of only wanting to do easy rides and that is not the old me from last year.

As of a couple of weeks ago- I started to take one of my neighbours out riding. This was to prepare him for a 50 miler that he wanted to do. Last weekend I took him on a 30 miler and he pushed me a bit- not too hard for the lack of fitness I have as I managed to stay with him except for the slope but I did have to get the legs turning faster than I am used to and also got the HR up to something sensible. Think that was the turning point as yesterdays Ride was entered with a bit of intrepidation but it was looked forward to.

Don't know if you can call a 3 mile ride a "Ride" but it was about the hardest thing I have ever done on a bike. 13 minutes of Flat out sprinting at my limit and it hurt. Had the heart monitor on and I do have a Max of 165. That was measured a few years ago but I still regard it as my max. This was an introductory Time Trial and only a FUN event. Had the warm up and started with the HR at 120. Wasn't long before it was at 155 and I was breathing hard- the legs were aching and the throat was drying up. It was a 1 mile course and start of the hill on the 2nd lap and I was feeling it HR still at 155 but kept it at that level and tried not to slacken off. Start of the 3rd lap and felt better so pushed it a bit harder. Up the hill and I saw 160ish flash up but still kept pushing. From the final corner and it was downhill and only 600 yards to the finish so Push-Push -Push and just get over that line.

Finished and I could not breath- legs were like jelly and my backside hurt. TTs require a different set up for riding and the bike was not set up for that. 5 minutes later and I was still turning the legs and it still hurt so off the bike and walk round. 20 minutes before I felt sensible enough to say I was recovering. I had pushed myself to the limit and I knew it.

But hold on-----This was a Time Trial and I have never done one in my life. The bike was an offroad Tandem and that thing is heavy and does not roll at all well and as for acceleration- It doesn't have any. What was I thinking of in even attempting the race- I must have been mad. 24 hours later and I still think I am mad.

Except for one thing. My brain is back into cycling. The HR actually saw 167 somewhere in that 3 miles so the heart still works. The brain still goes into "Numb" mode when it gets tough so I can push myself mentally and 24 hours later I have no aches or pains except for the butt-ache (Will have to sort that saddle position out again)

I still have a long way to go but it looks like a Hilly 100 miler is on the cards by the end of Summer. I am back.

P.S-- I have just done my LAST Time Trial. That is one experience I never want to have again.




Added pic that shows the start and the hill-----And yes-That is a Unicycle.

Congratulations on gutting it out. Sounds like a great HTFU effort.

You sure did HTFU. Thanks for the brutally honest report Stapfam. Can always count on you to tell it like it is.

Hats off to you.

I'd say "welcome back" but you're so far ahead of me that I can only hope you see me waving "Go on. I'll try to catch up" at you as you pedal away into the distance.

what an inspiration. have been off the bike commute routine since crash in Feb. got out last weekend for a very brief ride but nothing to write home about. I'll have to get my butt of the couch on the bike next weekend. you GO Stepham!

Feels good, don't it?

Congratulations, and I'm sure that within a couple of years, four at the most, you'll be able to walk normally and describe it as fun.

But did I miss something? You did a TT on a tandem?

Who was your co-rider? The chap you mentioned earlier that you're coaching to get fitter, or your usual tough co- rider?

Were you propelling for 2, or suffering whilst being propelled?

OK, Now I feel silly. I just read and recalled the earlier explanatory post.

So - wonderfully done, but I trust SiL captain had a higher heart rate and considerably more pain, as well as enhanced respect for his elders and betters

Congratulations to the both of you, but slightly more to you for encouraging and trusting the whippersnapper!

(laughing) I don't have to bash my thumb with a hammer over and over again, to know how good it feels to not do that or to stop if you do.

I'll just plunk along at my 10 to 15 mph pace and be happy.

Added a Pic to the original posting but I have got a few better facts from the event. 24 Accomplished TT riders were entered and 22 of those finished in front of us. We actually came 31st so did not fare badly. It would appear that what we lost on the hill- we definitely gained on the downhill. And The Unicycle did not come last.

And one of the talking points at the club night apparantly was the Tandem. We were letting any one have a ride on it at the event- and there were many that will not be trying one again.

Congratulations on getting your "mojo" back stapfam!

I'm trying to imagine trying to do a TT on an offroad tandem and .. well I can't ! That is one awesome accomplishment !