birdhunter1

It was a new milestone. I have been working towards doing a 45 mile ride late October and have now changed my mind to do a 62 mile ride (metric century I believe). I really set out yesterday to just ride and about 20 miles in decided 50 is the goal. The plan was to ride back towards my house and go 2 1/2 miles further and then come back leaving me right at 50. The problem came when the last 3 miles from town to my house has 3 big hills (with no downhill) that end up with a 250' elevation. The last hill my wife and I each hate, no matter how many times you ride it it never gets easier. In 20 times this year up it this is the first time I had to walk it, which sadly was the last 50'. The next 1/2 mile home has a long grade but is usually relatively easy and I was flat wore out when I got to near my driveway, I just didn't have it in me to do another 5 miles, which would have been a few rolling hills. I hit 45 miles right before my house in my driveway (which is 1/4 mile long) and then another 300' to my shop. The month of July I was riding 4-5 days a week of 15-20 miles. August I was too busy to ride much but managed a few days and was able to focus on longer rides when I had a chance to. September began and my wife is a teacher so she is back to school, my son is in school and I work evening and have or daughter during the day.... so childcare is my hindrance now.

But lets focus on the positive, I rode 45 miles in just under 3 hours, almost 10 miles longer than my previous longest ride. I have had done several in the 30's ranging in average speeds of 15-17 mph. No doubt the ride yesterday would have had an average speed near 17 if not for the last 3 miles. I am confident I can knock out a 62 mile ride in late October. Also on the plus side I am getting dang good at guessing mileage, as in how many miles will I have rode when I get to ____. I had figured 42 miles to the bridge south of town, 45 miles to my shop, 50 if I rode past my driveway to a friends house and back to my shop. Took 2 off the bike breaks, had sustenance with me and a few water/breather rests in the shade but still straddling the bike.

Had a BIG friggin dog play chase, the one day I ride unarmed and a dog decides to get up close and intimate.


All this on a 1989 Schwinn Voyageur.

2 wheeler

That's a great accomplishment! You might not have gotten as tired if you had kept a slightly easier pace. Next you'll probably do a few things differently, but it's rides like that 45 miler that give you the knowledge you need for longer rides.

Keep at it!

Banershka

My ass would not last 3 hours.
I'm still working on going an hour without getting out of my seat (15 miles), I think I need to stand more?

c_mack9

Birdhunter1, I thought you were a ***** for walking up that hill then I noticed you live in Southern Illinois so I won't make fun of you. There's some gnarley hills there. I live in Paducah and I've ridden from Anna to Golconda, to Eddyville then back to Anna. Only about 55 miles or so but one of the hilliest routes I've ever ridden. https://app.strava.com/activities/22547115#

birdhunter1

That's right on the hills. North of Murphysboro is typical of the rest of IL. South of town gets like the rwst od Southern IL.

Long Tom

Believe it or not, you'll come to love those hills...

Congrats on the 45!

Come to think of it, I know nothing about your gearing. Your old Schwinn might have atrocious gearing for steep hills. Any idea your tooth counts on your small front/ big rear sprockets?

One thing that works on dogs sometimes is to blast them with water from your bike bottle. It does cost some precious water. I've pepper-sprayed a few, which is amusing as all heck, but I lost my little can of the stuff and haven't replaced it yet.

I don't think my situational awareness while riding a bike is adequate to uncork a firearm. YMMV and all that.

TexMac

something wrong with your saddle or shorts?

JohnDThompson 

I haven't had a problem with my ass since getting Brooks "Professional" saddles for my bikes. The limiting factor for me is my hands -- they start going numb after 30 miles or so and I need to wake them up repeatedly.

otg 

Nice job, great accomplishment! I tried for 50 after I broke 40 and made it without much trouble. I did stop on a hill and take a break, but didn't walk up it. A few weeks later I signed up for a metric century and those last 10 or 12 miles really were tough to get through. Once the end was in sight (firehouse) I got a second wind and finished strong. Good sandwiches, coffee and pastries were there waiting for me. I've done 40 two or three times since without any problems, 50 miles seems to be my breaking point. Pretty hilly here in eastern Ct. also. Keep at it!

TexMac

Brooks are good once you "break them in".

Bah Humbug

Awesome. Now work towards 65 miles.