goodall

The cleat part of the road shoe is what wears out, and it's replaceable for like $20. If I were you, though, I'd get mountain bike shoes. The outsole is rubber, not plastic like road shoes, so you can actually walk around once you get where you're going.

Toefuzz

Rather than start a new thread I thought I would continue my list of things I think I thought on my last ride...

Haven't ridden at all this past week. Between hypersomnia, uncluttering our house so we can sell it faster, and caring for my toddler (so my very sick and pregnant wife doesn't have to), I just haven't had the time... I decided to get out for awhile this afternoon and rode to my parents house. Some of you may remember that three weeks ago I could barely do 6 miles on a road... Today I did 8, on a road with lots of hills, and felt fine afterwards. In fact, I tried to get my dad to go out on a ride with me but they were meeting with a realtor and didn't have time. It's amazing how fast you can get into shape by riding a bike!

If anyone ever invents a RedNeck Olympics one of the charter events will most certainly bee "Cyclist Clipping"... My guess is each driver will be given a large pickup truck and 10 points. 1 point will be deducted for every 1/2 inch they are away from the cyclist. If they actually hit us with the truck they loose points, but a direct hit from a beer bottle, while the truck is moving, is worth an additional 5

Riding on a dirt road sucks... Riding on a dirt road with road slicks really sucks... Riding on a dirt road that hasn't been graded really really sucks... Being shoved to the side of said dirt road only to find a soft shoulder really really really sucks, as does the feeling of going over in your clipless pedals and knowing there's nothing you can do about it!

Chicks dig road rash.

VeganRider

You guys make me SO glad to be single. 7 bikes and I ride anytime I want for as long as I want 24-7 and ALL my babies live IN the house with me, where the babies belong. I can blow money anytime on this passion; no questions asked. Have a big wonderful dog that agrees with everything I do; get dates once and a while too. So,,,,... enjoy the wife dudes! lol.....

SSC

Sometimes I'll chase a strong rider for miles on end until I can catch up to him/her despite the pain in my legs.

ManBearPig

Grasshopper...you are quite wise for such a young fledgling of only 50 miles. Wise beyond your miles...

SquatchCO

Impressive.

One question: how are you calculating averages? Do you have a computer that does it for you, or do you just do a little math with time and distance? The reason why I'm wondering is if it's the latter, you're probably losing averages at stoplights, etc. (Or not, if you're blessed enough to not have stoplights.) If it's a computer, the stops can still kill your average speed rating. I was finishing up a 20-mile ride, averaging 18.0 mph. There was a killer downhill, and I bumped my speed up to 34 mph for about 15-20 seconds. My average stayed at 18...then promptly dropped 17.9 when I had to stop at a light about 10 seconds later. [I did get it back up to 18.1 on the final sprint, though. ]

I'm also a relative noob (I did an Olympic-distance triathlon last summer w/ a 24 mile bike ride, so I've had some experience on long rides). I bought a decent road bike this summer (complete with the "Live to ride" package that my co-worker teases me about: spandex, jersey, etc.). since early july I've put about 225 miles on it, and while I never considered myself as being in good shape, I can maintain a 20-21 mph pace on flats. Maybe my standard of fitness comparison shouldn't be D1 college athletes, but that's neither here nor there.

Anyways, long post short: glad you're getting into it, and I hope you get to go out and ride more. Just get that kid on his own bike ASAP.

Goldfingiz

Thanks for the tips! Sounds like tons of fun. I have yet to get a bike, but i'm slowly learning about the world of cycling (at least the type that doesn't involve a motor )

baj32161

This is a great post Toefuzz...every once in a while we need to be reminded why we do this. I thank you. In fact I am off from work today and I am heading out on a 42 mi. round trip in Philadelphia....Philly to Valley Forge...I am stoked.

Thank you Toefuzz!!

Toefuzz

I use a bike computer and feel it's relatively close... Besides, it would really be cheating if you didn't count the time sitting at stop lights. Fortunately I live in the country (for now) and only have 1 stoplight in my town to begin with

Another interesting tidbit... the little guy has a little guy seat on the back of the bike and loves it. A few weeks back we went camping and he saw one of the 'fake tandems' that connect to the seat post of an adults bike... He just went nuts asking for one. Of course he's two and can't quite balance yet, but he didn't understand the point of my argument I guess there's no reasoning with toddlers, though my wife would probably say the same goes for husbands!

burtonbiker

Dont give up.... if you don't have some time to ride then convince her you'll not be fun to be around - heck, you may not be around at all (MI, disease, mental disorders, etc). I have a pretty cool wife, three kids (7, 4& 4 - yes twins) and you have to stand your ground or these liberated women will spend 75% of the money and take at least 50% of the time.... real men unite against weak women of our day... ride your damn bike. I have friends whose wives had one kid and turned into a controlling slave-driver.... don't become a statistic.

Toefuzz

And if that doesn't work, just guilt trip her. "You know honey, I want to be around to watch the kids graduate from school and be able to provide for you when we're old... riding my bike for an hour or so per day helps to ensure our future by keeping me healthy" Works every time!

chance0128

Unless you are going to be riding in an aero position or time trialing, I find that a Camelback or other hydration system is great when you don't have a cage on your bike. I can hold 50 oz of water in mine and it adds about a 1.5 inch hump on my back. It's not going to stay cold though.

Toefuzz

I've looked at getting a Camelback, but so far the cost has been prohibitive... My wife is a bit tentative about allowing me to spend more money after I just bought my bike. Plus, I need tools/shorts/etc and they take priority.

recursive

Actually, I think it might help in an aero position, since it could potentially act as a fairing behind your head. I think Jan Ullrich or someone wanted to use one in a TT, and there was some controversy about whether it would give him an unfair advantage.

chance0128

Check out www.nashbar.com Sometimes they have ones on discount.

johnny99

When did this happen? Bobby Julich has used a Camelbak in the Tour de France TT at least a couple of times. Once he crashed out of the race and some people blamed the Camelbak for throwing off his center of balance.

He was using the roadie-style low-profile Camelbak with no pockets.

TreyK

Congrats Toe,
I am a newb also. Just got my first road bike and started riding 3 weeks ago. I have been fortunate enough to get out regularly and have been consistently bumping up the mileage from week to week. I just rode my longest ride to date yesterday, 50mi. What a feeling that was. In the rain and I didn't care a bit. It just felt good to be out there riding and going longer than I have before. I am working my milage up for a century in Oct.
It's great that you love being on the bike so much. I know just how you feel. One thing I have noticed is that I am not killing myself on these rides. Base is the key. Keeping my heart rate in a reasonable range allows me to get back on the bike for my next ride feeling rested and ready to go. Try to keep building those miles slowly. It will pay off. I have noticed that my pace has increased on my longer rides even though my heart rate is as low or lower than it has been in my past rides. I'm getting more bike fit. I also try to spin at around a 90 to 95 cadence. Keeps my legs fresh and helps build the aerobic system. All the speed work later will build on that base.
Keep riding and keep us posted on your progress. This helps all us other newbies out there relate to the cycling growing pains.

Trey

recursive

Actually I was probably thinking of Bobby then. For my defense though, I did say "or someone".

H20.1

Something that might help with low back pain is checking your saddle height and tilt and the fore/aft position that assists your reach to the bars. . Make sure the height is correct and dont negate the tilt! I had pain in the shoulders until I began tilting the nose up slightly from level.

Fore/Aft position of the saddle is also important, you can shorten your reach to the bars by moving the saddle forward slightly. If you have a laid back seat post (many road bikes do) this is definitely something to try.

TheCahill

No need for that go get some JB weld works like a champ cant even see it.

dutret

These are both signs that your handlebars are too low. Not at all suprising since you are riding a track bike which is not designed for long road rides. You might want to consider trading it in for something else if your usual ride is going to be 20+ miles. Fortunately pistas have absurdly high resale values and if you want a fixie you could easily build a really nice conversion(with an older road frame) with the money and still have enough left over for gloves and maybe some shorts. Won't have the bling factor of the pista but it'll be much better suited to long rides.

caloso

Very insightful post, Toefuzz. But I wanted to comment on this:


Working with another rider is great. I think I read that there's a 25% or 30% energy advantage by drafting. But when you do this, let the other rider know you're there. No need to make big deal of it, maybe just say "Hi. Mind if I sit on your wheel for a few?" And of course, offer to take your share of the pulls.

It's for safety and it's just good cycling etiquette.

samp02

I have never had that many thoughts in all my days of riding. Glad to see your enjoying.

Toefuzz

Someone else had said that earlier, which means I didn't explain myself clearly b/c you both misunderstood me I don't get so close as to draft off them... I just hang back within site, 200 - 300 yards to piss 'em off

quidquam

I just got my bike a few weeks ago and here are some things I've learned after my first couple hundred miles around West LA. More commuter oriented than the OP but hopefully still helpful.

1. Pace Yourself - I find that I tend to sprint all the time if I don't pay attention. Especially because I ride in the city where there are tons of stoplights and stop-and-go riding. 20+ miles of sprinting is tiring and getting really haggard when riding in the city is dangerous.
2. Sunblock - A sunburn on the back of the knees taught me this real quick
3. Be agressive towards cars - It's better to get honked at for taking up a whole lane than to have people bombing past you as you avoid cracks in the gutter
4. Drafting Cars - They do a great job of breaking wind for you. Just be careful because they can stop a whole lot faster than you can
5. Foot Position on Pedal - I've found this makes a big difference in endurance and power (tradeoff). I've also found that my running shoes are starting to give me a "pinched sole" that I've read about. Time to get some cycling shoes, I guess.
6. Lean forward - This makes you turn faster and is more aerodynamic.
7. Use the front brake - that small rear tire *will* break lose if you depend on it and sliding is bad.
8. Computer - I find that I am obsessively checking my total milage. I am constantly trying to get to the next big round number.
9. Safety gear - Don't let vanity get in the way of your health.
10. Explore - Getting lost is a great way to push yourself
11. Downshift - At stops, be in a low gear so that you can accelerate off the line at a reasonable rate. Being sluggish can be dangerous
12. Mountain bikes - I feel so bad for people who commute on them. So slow! They look like they are putting out so much effort as I gingerly whiz past them.
13. Push your limits in safe places - Don't break 40mph for the first time on an unfamiliar or crowded road. I found that my frame can wobble if I don't put weight on the front fork.
14. Riding partners are great - Two sets of eyes are better than one. My first night ride my gf saved my ass by pointing out a drunk driver who was coming up behind us swerving into the bicycle lane. I wish I had gotten their license number, but even if I had I am not sure the Police would act on it. Plus, partners are great motivators ("Oh hey, I know a neat resturant/cafe/whatever only 10 more miles away!")
15. Don't put all your weight on your seat - I got real sore my first few days before I was told that a racing saddle isn't meant to support all your weight all the time. Now I ride with about 30% of my weight on my ass, the rest on my legs and arms. Much more comfortable, but I am still tempted to get a Brooks B17
16. Ebay - Ebay and Craigslist have some great deals on bike stuff. Just don't go after stuff I want!