umd

Was my limp that severe?

Happytime

I'm just kidding you, Steve. Although of all the things to respond to, your question is like asking, "So... other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?"

Your limp wasn't that bad, but you were walking very slow. It astonishes (awes) me that you can ride at all.

Rick@OCRR

I'm really working at being a long distance rider. Well, except that it isn't work really, but rather a kind of fun-adventure. Actually, I gave up "Long Distance" riding (once) after PBP in '91.

Then in 2002 I married Jackie (with, I think, 15 CA doubles to her credit by that time), and she talked me into trying "Just one!" CA double. I rode Davis and loved it! So here I am, with four doubles so far this year, and the Solang Fall Double on the schedule for Oct. 20th, 2007.

I rode seven CA doubles in 2006, Seven in 2005, Five in 2004, Three in 2003. So that's what . . . 26 so far.

And I'm still going . . . so we'll see for how long!

Rick / OCRR

TrevorInSoCal

I occasionally do rides that some would consider "long distance".

I think it's all a matter of perspective though. Someone that does two or three 30 mi. rides/week and rarely ever spends more than 4 hrs. on the bike, might consider me a long-distance rider.

Mike Curiak, John Stamstaad, or any number of other endurance specialists, would consider me a dilettante.

I'm working up to longer ones though. Haven't solo'd a 24hr race yet. That's next on my list of endurance-riding goals...

That and figuring out how to do endurance races *fast*. I'm beyond the "just finishing" stage, having proved to myself that I can "just finish" an epic ride/race. Next up is figuring out how to be competitive in the longer events.

Strangely enough, I'm still not sure I'm all that interested in a double-century. That just seems like a special kind of hell, that I'm not sure I want to put myself through. It's mentally easier for me to stay focused on the task of riding when there's some challenge apart from the simple physical effort required to keep going. Riding a mtn. bike, especially a singlespeed, on the longer rides offers enough variety to keep me interested in the ride, and somewhat distracted from my suffering.

Some double-centuries, on the road, would probably be good training for the longer MTB events though, so maybe I should give it a go.

merider1

Double centuries are hell at times, but I recommend that any rider who enjoys centuries (as in, rides them often and looks for ones that are more challenging than say, Cool Breeze or Palm Springs) should try a double...just once. That's how I started riding them. I just tried one with the thought that if I didn't finish it, oh well, it would be a challenge and new experience. Honestly, DNFing is no big frickin' deal. I don't know about others on here, but I never remember if anyone DNFed a ride or not. Now, I've done a total of five since June '06. I may continue or I may not, but I'm glad I did them...even the truly hellish ones (like Hemet...).

Rick@OCRR

Yes M.E. Hemet was bad (this year),

But Butterflood (Butterfield 2005) was worse!

My worst ever was Death Valley 2003, my only DNF so far.

Rick / OCRR

VanceMac

Why? Weather, course, or individual reasons?

Rick@OCRR

Hi Vance,

Weather (heat), and not enough water available on the course. It was 106 - 108 deg.F for most of the day, and I was too dehydrated to continue after 150 miles. A 70 oz. Camelback and two large bottles were not enough! I ran out of fluids about eight miles before Badwater on the way back.

Rick / OCRR

jsigone

most of my long rides are under 70 miles, GMR loops and Palomar Pie rides. I havn't done much over that this yr.

bentstrider

Back when I was pulling flashlight-cop duties, I was putting in about 20 miles a day.
So, with 120 odd miles a week, I would say regular distance.
But, I tend to adapt to longer distances depending on the area.
If I actually lived in a cool area like the IE, or somewhere in the LA Basin, the ride would seem pretty normal regardless of the distance. This is due to all the civilization in the area making the ride comfy.
However, when riding through an area with a whole lot of nothing, a 30 mile ride seems like forever.

spingineer

IMHO, long distance rides are those that you have to really concentrate on the small things ... like making sure you have enough lighting, making sure you have enough food, etc ... I don't consider a century long distance, because I do it, without even second guessing it. A double century for me causes me to train up for it, and based on that, doubles are long distance to me. But if you really want to talk long distance, then try a brevet or Furnace Creek 508. Now that's nuts!!!!

spingineer

... and hilly double centuries are done on a fixie

JustMe

I did 52 miles today, does that count?

yogi13

Nope, not even close. I have carpal tunnel syndrome, so somewhere around mile 20-30 my hand starts going numb. I'll stay in the saddle up to around 50 shaking my hand out periodically, but I really don't want to force the issue by going significantly longer than that.

Vireo

results https://www.adventurecorps.com/deathv...show/index.htm 169 starters 76 finishers (93 DNFs)

Rick@OCRR

Hi Vireo,
Thanks for the link. I didn't remember the DNF rate being that high!

Rick / OCRR