OctoberBlue

I completed my first organized ride yesterday, a "25 mile" one which was actually about 27 miles. Overall, it went just fine. Registration was available over the course of 3 hours, so everyone started at their own time... whenever. It was very relaxed.

My boyfriend and I rode together along the scenic, country route which took us along various 45-50 mph roads with little traffic. The route was easily marked with big yellow spray-painted arrows on the road, plus, we had a map.

People seem to drive differently in the country than in the city. I never felt like the cars passing us were too close or that the drivers were doing anything stupid on the road. Of course, it was a Sunday morning...

There are three things, however, that I learned yesterday:

1. I HATE :irritated 'rolling' hills. They just keep coming... over & over again. Just when you think you can get a break, there's another hill on the horizon. I learned to deal with them by gaining as much speed on downhills as I could, and using that to carry myself up most of the next hill. Hey, at least I kept riding and never had to walk those darn hills.

2. I LOVE my new Camelbak. It's great to have easy access to water, especially on a hot summer day.

3. I NEED to put in more time on my bike if I expect to successfully complete the 50-mile ride I plan to do in a couple of weeks... otherwise, my butt will absolutely hate me. (I didn't get as much saddle time this past week as I wanted.)

The only mechanical problem I had was when my chain jumped off once while I was moving into a lower gear. It's a weird feeling to be pedaling and suddenly have no gears. It was a quick fix at the side of the road.

We had ice cream (and bananas, orange drink, etc.) at the halfway point of the ride. That ice cream was the best I've tasted in a long time!

All in all, it was a fun experience and I would do it again. BTW, I bought some Continental Town & Country slicks on Saturday for my MTB. I really think those tires made a difference in my ride. My boyfriend rode his road bike, a Specialized Allez. Someday, I may look into getting a road bike.

RonH

Congratulations Julie. Sounds like you followed everyone's advice and had a lot of fun. That's what it's all about.

oceanrider

Congrats on your first organized ride. Country roads sound real nice. Was this your first experience with rolling hills? Sounds like you handled them like a pro.

I was supposed to have my first organized ride yesterday... was going to ride in the Frank Stark charity ride for the heart association here in Boca. I was going to opt for the 30 mile circuit. As it turns out my bum knee blew a few days ago so I watched the TdF with my needlepoint instead. It may have been for the best. The temp reached 93 here. It was so hot my AC froze up trying to keep the place cool. I'm having cycling withdrawals BAD... eating like a piglet wondering when I'll be able to get back in the saddle. Surgery Wed.

greatnexus

Congratz...

This is just the beginning of many more enjoyable miles to come.

ljbike

I'd like to add my congrats on the completion of the ride and for getting the slick tires. They do make a difference in road riding with an MTB.
You need to force yourself to find time for riding so the 50 and subsequent rides won't turn you off because of a sore bottom. Good Luck on future rides!

1oldRoadie

It seems like everyday, either on the forum or on the road I get to say to one more person..... "WELECOME TO THE ADDICTION! ".

Bbmoozer

Ain't that the truth! Those hills seem to keep on growing out of nowhere!
Congrats!

Andy Dreisch

Very good !!! 25 miles is a great start. You'll be doing 50-milers before too long. You just need "time in the saddle". Consider bike-commuting as a means to this end.

Congrats on the ride.

nebill

Good deal, Julie!
For me, biking has been a series of goals. Your first 25 mile ride is a good goal, and you already have a 50 miles ride in mind! Awesome! Next thing you know, you'll be on a road bike, and working century rides with great gusto!
Keep having fun, that's what it is all about!

OctoberBlue

Yes, it was my first real experience with rolling hills. My usual route is pretty flat with a couple of hills, but not the kind of hills that come 'one right after another.' Thanks for the compliment. I handled them as best I could... I'd say it was mostly a common-sense thing. Why not use gravity to my advantage as much as possible?

Good luck with the surgery, oceanrider! And, I wish you a speedy recovery! Bummer that you missed your 30 miler. You'll find another good ride when you're 'back in the saddle again.'

BTW, I went for a 14 mile ride tonight. Every little bit of saddle time will help toward my 50 miler, right? I found out that this particular ride has 3 rest stops which would put them around the 16-17 mile marks, I would figure. I'll just try to think of it as 3 of my 'usual' rides in a row. Hehe! I hope the hills aren't too bad... Less than 2 weeks to go (and I'm going camping/canoeing this weekend -- so that's 2 less days I have to prepare. Ack.) ...I think I can... I think I can... *takes a deep breath* Am I nuts? No, wait... don't answer that!

DnvrFox

Good ride!! Truly, 50 miles will seem easy, now that you have 25 under your belt.

In regards to the chain, if my chain has slipped of the small chain ring into my frame, I just shift the rear cassette to the outer-most cassette (the smallest one) and keep pedaling, and wow!! the chain goes right back on. Or, if necessary, I stop, do the same thing, and lift the rear of the bike up, turn the pedals, and it goes right back on.

If it happens too much, you need an adjustment on the limits of the front derailleur.

Richard D

Useful tip Dnvr - i haven't had a problem since I upgraded crank sets, but it used to every few hundred miles.

DnvrFox

Thanks. Actually, I almost never have this happen, but it seems to happen to my wife at times - I think probably due to poor shifting technique on her grip shifts.

So, that is how I get it back on her bike. She stops, gets off, I put it in the appropriate gears, lift the rear wheel, turn the cranks, and it is back in.

It is getting less and less as she gets better at riding.

lovemyswift

Octoberblue,
Come to Southwestern Ohio, you'll get lots of hills here. I was riding the trail today and I was thinking about how hard flat terrain was. You just never get a break, you just pedal, pedal, pedal. With hills you can spin down, coast down, stand to get up, etc. There's so much more variety.
I used to hate hills but with a smaller, lighter bike I really enjoy them. Think of hills as your friend. They make you stronger.
BTW, there's a ride in Columbus, Oh called the Ox Roast ride Labor day weekend. Keep it in mind because it is an excellent one to do your first century on. It's reasonably flat.
Mileage is a mental thing. A couple of 25er's and you'll be ready for a 35 or 40, then 50. Pretty soon 50 milers will seem like nothing. After that you'll be looking at centuries and touring!